Why did you become a physician?
I entered college uncertain of my career goals, having considered a career in chemistry, music, or the ministry. Ultimately, my twin brother’s interest in medicine influenced my decision to pursue medicine especially as it is in every way a valid ministry in itself.
Tell us about your educational and professional background.
My college career started at Ashland Community College in Ashland, a branch of the University of Kentucky at that time. After spending two years there and after one year on campus at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, my twin brother and I were accepted to the College of Medicine at Kentucky without a four year undergraduate degree. In the summers in college, I worked as a nursing assistant at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Ashland. I value that experience greatly in preparation for a career in medicine. After completing medical school in 1979, I entered internal medicine residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. I was chief resident of the medicine clinic and joined a private practice in Dallas after completing residency, remaining in Dallas for six more years before returning to Lexington to join my brother John Borders to form Drs. Borders and Associates in 1988. In 2005, I became principal investigator for Central Kentucky Research Associates and continued in that role alongside my regular internal medicine practice for ten years until taking the position of Chief Medical Officer for Baptist Health Lexington in 2015.
I have been chairman of the Continuing Medical Education council of the Kentucky Medical Association since 1990, and have been program chairman for the KMA conventions ever since, although that role has had fewer responsibilities in recent years. I was a member of the first class of the Kentucky Physicians’ Leadership Institute and was part of KMA’s Community Connector program two years ago. Four years ago, I was appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear to the state pharmacy and therapeutics committee.
What are your interests outside of Medicine?
Outside medicine, I play piano and for about five years was a member of a Lexington progressive jazz band playing keyboards. I enjoy time with family and home remodeling projects.
Why did you join the Lexington Medical Society?
It became increasingly unavoidable to be in any leadership role in medicine without becoming a member of the Lexington Medical Society. Although I am now in hospital administration, I believe the LMS is increasingly important as a voice for the embattled independent practitioner.