For Immediate Release May 14, 2011
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Contact: Pam Udall phone: (512) 370-1382 cell: (512) 413-6807 Pam Udall
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Contact: Brent Annear phone: (512) 370-1381 cell: (512) 656-7320 Brent Annear
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HOUSTON - The Texas Medical Association (TMA) has elected Michael E. Speer, MD, of Houston president-elect of the association, the nation’s largest state medical society. TMA’s House of Delegates, the association’s governing body, elected Dr. Speer during TexMed, the group’s annual conference, held this week in Houston.
“I am very happy the members of the House of Delegates saw fit to choose me to be president-elect of TMA,” said Dr. Speer. “It is indeed an honor, and I will do my very best to live up to that trust.” Dr. Speer will serve as president-elect for one year, before becoming the association’s 147th president.
A member of the Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) delegation to TMA since 1988, Dr. Speer previously served on TMA’s Board of Trustees for six years, including one year as chair. He also chaired the TMA Patient Safety Alliance and the TMA Council on Scientific Affairs, and he served as vice chair of TMA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Accountable Care Organizations.
Increasing TMA membership is a top priority during Dr. Speer’s term as president-elect, and his eventual presidency.
“A number of new physicians in the state of Texas have emigrated from other states and countries,” Dr. Speer said. “We need to increase membership of TMA to better represent Texas physicians and patients and to have one voice for all physicians in legislative, public, and business issues.”
Dr. Speer has been president of many physician organizations, including the Texas Perinatal Association, the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and HCMS. In addition to his leadership in organized medicine, Dr. Speer dedicates his time to his patients as the deputy chief of Pediatrics at The Methodist Hospital, and chief of the Newborn and Premature Service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.
A graduate of Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Speer has been practicing medicine for 37 years. He is board certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine, and teaches full time at Baylor College of Medicine as professor of pediatrics and ethics.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 45,000 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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