Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) recently welcomed LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) alumnus Seger S. Morris, DO ‘12, MBA, CPE, FACOI, FACP, back to campus as part of the Office of Alumni Services' ongoing Alumni Insights program, which connects students with accomplished graduates who are making an impact in their professions and communities.
A physician executive, author and nationally recognized leader in osteopathic medicine, Morris shared lessons from his personal and professional journey during a presentation attended by students, faculty and staff. The event also highlighted his recently published book, “Let Me Lead: Escaping the Experience Bias and Excelling as an Early-Career Professional.” Copies of the book were provided by the university to attendees, and Morris signed books following the presentation.
Morris is a third-generation osteopathic physician and has built a career spanning clinical medicine, medical education, physician workforce development and health care leadership. In January 2027, he will become president of the American Osteopathic Foundation after serving in numerous leadership roles at the local, state and national levels, including as president of the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, a member of the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees and chair of the Advisory Board for the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce.
Returning to the institution where his medical journey began, Morris reflected on his unconventional path to becoming a physician. After earning undergraduate and graduate business degrees and beginning a career in consulting and management, he decided to pursue medicine and enrolled at LMU-DCOM.
"Moving here to go to medical school was the second-best decision that I ever made in my life," Morris told attendees as he recounted relocating to East Tennessee to pursue his medical education.
Morris spoke candidly about the challenges he faced as a medical student, including struggling academically during his first semester and questioning whether he would be able to continue in the program. Drawing from those experiences, he encouraged students to embrace setbacks, seek mentorship and remain committed to personal growth.
"Each one of your paths is going to be very different, and it's probably not going to be the path that you set out for it to go on," Morris said. "It's not going to be a straight line, and that's okay."
Throughout the presentation, Morris emphasized the importance of mentorship, ownership and resilience, encouraging students to look inward when facing challenges and to focus on habits that create long-term success.
"The most important thing we can do is always make sure that when we have a challenge in front of us, we first look at ourselves for the answers," he said. "Am I doing the things every single day that are positioning me for the best opportunity of success?"
Drawing from his experiences in clinical practice, graduate medical education and physician leadership, Morris also discussed themes from his book that reject the idea that leadership requires a title or years of experience.
"I started to realize that it's really important to seek influence over authority," Morris said. "Leadership is an attitude, not a position."
He also encouraged students and early-career professionals to recognize the influence they have on those around them and to lead by example in their daily actions. Referencing a favorite leadership principle that people are often shaped by the five people they spend the most time with, Morris challenged attendees to consider the impact they have on others.
"You are one of the five people for someone else," Morris said. "Ask yourself: Am I raising the bar or am I lowering the bar?"
During a question-and-answer session, Morris discussed leadership, mentorship, productivity and professional development. He highlighted ownership as one of the most important qualities for physicians and leaders, encouraging students to take responsibility for their actions and opportunities.
"If you don't learn how to take ownership of things, your life's going to be very, very complicated," he said.
Morris remains actively involved in graduate medical education and residency training and is widely recognized for his work in physician leadership and professional development. Through his speaking, writing and mentorship, he encourages students and early-career professionals to develop the skills and mindset necessary to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact in their communities and professions.
His return to campus through the Alumni Insights program provided students with an opportunity to learn from an LMU-DCOM graduate whose influence is helping shape the future of osteopathic medicine while reinforcing the lifelong connections between LMU alumni and the University community.
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, at LMU-Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee, and at LMU Orange Park in Orange Park, Florida. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often-underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7082, email dcom@LMUnet.edu, or visit us online at http://med.LMUnet.edu.
