FMMA Beacon Awards

A native of Clinton, Oklahoma, Dr. Schmidt earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, followed by a research and interventional fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Schmidt's commitment to patient-centered care led him to establish innovative healthcare models that prioritize transparency and affordability. Through his clinics, he offers comprehensive cardiac services, including management of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, rhythm disorders, and advanced cardiac imaging.

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Schmidt has contributed significantly to cardiovascular research and education. He was a founder of Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates, the Oklahoma Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, the Oklahoma Cardiovascular Research Group, and the Oklahoma Heart Hospital at Mercy.

Dr. Schmidt's dedication to reforming healthcare delivery aligns with the mission of the Free Market Medical Association. His efforts have not only improved patient outcomes but have also set a precedent for transparent, value-based care in cardiology. FMMA proudly honors Dr. Dwayne A. Schmidt with the 2025 “Be a Beacon” Award for his unwavering commitment to transforming cardiac care through innovation, transparency, and patient empowerment.

By working directly with transparent providers, embracing bundled pricing, and partnering with trusted advisors who value accountability, Towers Extrusion has delivered lower costs, better outcomes, and greater satisfaction to its workforce. Their story is a powerful example of what can happen when employers act as stewards of their health plans.

Mark McClelland has been a champion of these efforts, ensuring that employees are informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way. His leadership reflects a values-driven approach to business and benefits design that FMMA celebrates and amplifies.

 Towers Extrusion proves that even in the most traditional industries, innovation is possible—and employers can become beacons of change in their communities and across the country.

Dr. Imes’ pioneering contributions to the understanding of sleep apnea syndrome and its pathophysiology set the stage for advancements that have transformed care for patients with sleep-related breathing disorders. His dedication as an American Lung Association Fellow and his leadership in organizations like the Oklahoma Thoracic Society and the OU College of Medicine Alumni Society demonstrate his passion for both medicine and community health.

Beyond his clinical and academic achievements, Dr. Imes has been a steadfast advocate for innovation and transparency in healthcare. His work reflects a profound commitment to empowering patients and promoting systems that prioritize quality and value.

Dr. Imes’ extraordinary career and dedication to advancing the free-market healthcare movement exemplify why he was chosen as a Be a Beacon Award recipient.

Through The Phia Group’s groundbreaking recovery strategies, advanced technologies, and legal expertise, Adam has played a pivotal role in reshaping the way employers, fiduciaries, and carriers approach healthcare. His work not only saves costs but also upholds the values of transparency and accountability that define the free-market healthcare movement.

In addition to his role at The Phia Group, Adam is the founder and managing partner of The Law Offices of Russo & Minchoff. His legal practice focuses on representing employers and plan fiduciaries nationwide, further highlighting his commitment to supporting innovative and sustainable employee benefit programs.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Adam is a dedicated family man, enjoying life with his wife Kelly and their four children. His personal and professional passion for creating meaningful change in healthcare has made him a true beacon for the industry, earning him this distinguished honor.

By removing the middleman of insurance and connecting healthcare providers and patients directly with one another, CHM, which is not insurance, provides a cost-effective, accountable, and faith-based solution to the rising cost of medical bills. Since 1981, the ministry has satisfied nearly $10 billion in its members’ healthcare costs.

Members’ pre-set monthly contributions to CHM are the funds used to share each other’s healthcare costs. No member is ever removed from membership—nor is their monthly cost increased—because of an expensive health condition.

“As a former VP of HR and leader of the healthcare benefits for the company, I began to recognize our unfortunate reality of a restricted free market and the depreciating effect it was having on employers, families, and communities. Witnessing these outcomes stirred my soul. Someone needed to stand up to the beast and do something about it.”

– Matt Ohrt, Co-founder, Healthcare Best Practices Group, FMMA Wisconsin Chapter Co-leader

In 2014, recognizing the unmet needs in the traditional health insurance industry, Tony founded Sedera as an alternative Medical Cost Sharing solution. Medical Cost Sharing allows members to be part of an organized community to share funds for medical care. Today, the Sedera Medical Cost Sharing Community offers services all across America to groups large and small, helping both employees and individuals deal with their larger medical costs.

Dr. Kube founded Prairie Spine with the goal of offering the highest quality care, at a transparent and market dominating price point. He also wanted to focus on the physician/patient relationship that is sorely lacking in healthcare today.

Despite living in a state which generally doesn’t support free-market healthcare, Dr. Kube founded an FMMA Local Chapter in Illinois. That chapter is growing and cutting through the cartel’s propaganda. Because Dr. Kube does not accept excuses. He takes no prisoners. He has burned his ships and is leading his team and market bravely into the new world of healthcare.

Not only did Dr. Gross create one of the most successful DPC practices in the country, but he is also frequently asked to speak on these issues in Washington, at leadership conferences, public policy events, and on national and local TV and radio. A few years ago, he co-founded the Docs4Patient Care Foundation, whose goal is to “Preserve the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship, promote quality care, support affordable access to care for all Americans and to protect the patient’s personal health care decisions.