Former MMA President Passes Away at 85

September 3, 2026

Former MMA president and long-time active member Forrest Blanton Bessinger, Jr., MD, MBA, passed away on August 25. The pediatric cardiologist was 85.  

“Blanton was a strong advocate for physicians and for children,” said Dave Renner, CAE, the former directory of advocacy with the MMA who worked with Blessinger for several years. “He ensured all of MMA’s and AMA’s policy discussions were focused on what is best for the patient.” 

“I had the pleasure of knowing and working together with Blanton Bessinger for over 30 years on the Minnesota Medical Association and the American Medical Association delegation,” said Paul Matson, MD, 2003 MMA president and long-time active member. “He was a friend and inspiration to all of us fortunate enough to have known him, especially the young medical students and physicians he mentored. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched, but his legacy will live on.” 

A member since 1980, Bessinger served as the MMA’s president in 2000. He also served on the following: MMA Board of Trustees; MMA Executive Committee; MEDPAC Board of Directors; MMA Governance Task Force; AMA House of Delegates; the AMA’s Council on Constitution and By-laws; MMA Committee on Public Health; MMA Committee on Minority and Cross-Cultural Affairs; MMA Committee on Health Care Access, Financing & Delivery; MMA Committee on Ethics & Medical-Legal Affairs; MMA Committee on Finance and Audit; and the MMA Committee on Accreditation & Continuing Medical Education.  

A service will be held Friday, September 4, at 1 p.m. at House of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Avenue, in St. Paul. Mourners are welcome to arrive at noon for a reception in the church parlor. They are also welcome to a post-service reception from 3 - 5 p.m. at Midland Hills Country Club, 2001 Fulham Street, in Roseville.