IMS logo current Bulletin front cover Magazine
IMS president, Richard H. Rhodes, MD President's Message
John J. Wernert, MD John J. Wernert, MD, MHA, a psychiatrist, was the 132nd President of the Indianapolis Medical Society for 2005-2006. Dr. Wernert, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, received the John B. Schofield Volunteer Faculty Award for 2011 for his outstanding commitment for over 22 years to the Department of Psychiatry mission of education. Dr. Wernert began full-time medical practice of psychiatry in 1989. He obtained his M.D. degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1985 and his postdoctoral training included an internship and residency at the Department of Psychiatry of Indiana University School of Medicine. He also pursued his education in the fields of public management and health administration by obtaining postgraduate degrees at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs of IUPUI in Indianapolis. Dr. Wernert completed a Master's Degree in Health Administration from Indiana University in 1996. He is board certified in Adult Psychiatry, and has received added certification in Geriatric Psychiatry and Administrative Medicine. Dr. Wernert has been awarded Distinguished Fellowship in the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Wernert currently is performing Integrative Medicine consultations and Medical Management services for various facilities in central Indiana. He most recently served as the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for MDwise, Inc, a 300,000 member Medicaid Managed care plan covering the state of Indiana. Dr. Wernert is a geriatric psychiatrist, and works with adult and geriatric patients, primarily at facilities near St. Francis and St. Vincent's Hospitals in Indianapolis. Dr. Wernert also provides geriatric inpatient services at Westview Senior Adult Unit and Hancock Regional Hospital Reflections Unit. He serves as a clinical consultant to numerous nursing facilities and group homes in central Indiana. He has special interest in working in integrated settings with complicated medical patients, geriatric patients and individuals suffering from memory and behavioral disorders.

Dr. Wernert serves as the Chairman of the Drug Utilization Review Board for the Indiana Medicaid program.

Dr. Wernert has committed his leadership skills and time to many organizations. He served on the Indiana Medical Licensing Board and various state committees related to mental health and Medicaid services in Indiana. Dr. Wernert has also served in leadership in many medical associations and specialty societies. He is currently the Chairman of the American Psychiatric Association Political Action Committee and holds national leadership offices in the APA and the AMA. John is a past President of the Indianapolis Medical Society and serves as the current Speaker of the Indiana State Medical Association's House of Delegates. Dr. Wernert is currently a consultant for the Catholic Archdioceses of Indianapolis and Lafayette, Indiana. He serves on the Board of Overseers for the St. Meinrad School of Theology and is involved in men's ministry programs on the north-side of Indianapolis.

Dr. Wernert lives in Carmel Indiana with his wife Erin, and is the proud father of five amazing children (ages 1 - 25 years). He enjoys fishing, black powder shooting and is an avid Civil War re-enactor.

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Members Spotlight

John Conard Ellis, MD

John Conard Ellis, MD

John Conard Ellis, MD, served as the 136th President of the Indianapolis Medical Society.

Born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, Dr. Ellis attended the University of Illinois (Honors Biology) and earned his MD from University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.

Dr. Ellis served his pediatric internship and residency at IU Health Methodist Hospital (Indianapolis) of Indiana, Indianapolis. He completed a General Pediatric Academic Fellowship and graduate work in public health and preventive medicine at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.

Dr. Ellis is Board Certified in Pediatrics and is a Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics. His distinguished career includes an 18-year practice of general pediatrics, and patient care for 25 years at Methodist and Clarian Health Partners, St. Vincent Hospital, Community Hospitals. With a focus on Medical Management, Dr. Ellis has been the Section Chairman and Medical Director of Pediatrics at Methodist, and a Medical Director at M-Plan. Dr. Ellis has been Clinical Assistant Professor, Indiana University Department of Pediatrics for nearly 30 years. He currently is a Medical Director consultant for Managed Health Services (MHS).

Throughout his career, Dr. Ellis has taken on an active participatory role in all aspects of medicine including serving the Indianapolis Medical Society on committees, in the Delegation and on the Board of Directors. Most recently, Dr. Ellis was the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Society. He is currently an Alternate Trustee to the Board of ISMA, Chairman of the School Health Committee and member of the Committee on Legislation. Dr. Ellis is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, The American College of Physician Executives and a board member of Improving Kids Environment (IKE) and the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE). He has been a consultant to the Indiana State Department of Health and the Marion County Health Department on Lead Poisoning and currently serves on the Governor's Indiana Lead-Safe Housing Advisory Council.

Married to Sheryn E. Ellis, the Ellis's live on the Northside of Indianapolis and have two adult children in Indianapolis.