Two El Paso physicians have accepted leadership positions within the Texas Medical Association (TMA). TMA physicians and medical students who are appointed or elected to one of TMA’s 30 boards, councils, and committees are responsible for studying and recommending action on important issues affecting Texas patients and health care policy.

Gil Handal, MD, an infectious diseases specialist in practice for 42 years, was appointed chair of TMA’s Committee on Child and Adolescent Health. The committee promotes policies to encourage the development of healthy young Texans.

Luis H. Urrea II, MD, an orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon in practice for 16 years, was reelected to TMA’s Council on Legislation. The council develops and implements legislative policies at both the state and national level, to improve medicine and patient care.

Both physicians are members of the El Paso County Medical Society.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 46,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. 

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Sept. 14, 2012