William D. Haggard, M.D., F.A.C.S., was the first president and one of the founders of the Southern Surgical Association. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School with the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1893. Haggard was appointed Assistant Professor of Gynecology in 1896 and Professor of Gynecology and Abdominal Surgery in 1900, both at University of Tennessee Medical School. Haggard served in the latter capacity until 1912, when he became Professor of Surgery and Clinical Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical School, a position in which he served for the remainder of his life. Haggard also held the position of surgeon and first president of the staff at Saint Thomas Hospital, as well as that of visiting Surgeon at Vanderbilt University Hospital. In addition, the doctor served as the 78th President of the American Medical Association, 1925-1926.