“It has been said the impaired physician of the future is the one without a third degree.”
- Jean Edwards Holt, MD, MHA, 2001-2002 Southern Medical Association President

Auburn University is proud to partner with Southern Medical Association in a continuing medical education capacity to offer graduate-level, healthcare-focused business education. SMA develops the educational programs for the two off-campus residencies in the Physician Executive MBA program. The Washington, DC residency focuses on Medico-Legal Aspects of Healthcare and the international residency focuses on Comparative Healthcare Systems. Locations for the international residency have included London, Paris, and Rome. Both residencies are CME accredited. 

The SMA mission is to enable physicians to practice the highest standards of medicine by fostering professional development and economic stability through education, services, collegiality, and leadership across multiple specialties. SMA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. SMA was resurveyed in 2005 and awarded "accreditation with commendation" for a six year term by the ACCME.