DFW-Area Physicians Take TMA Leadership Roles

Several Dallas/Fort Worth-area 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.

Physicians’ council elections and committee appointments
Dallas physicians (unless otherwise noted): 

Ann Marilyn Leitch, MD, a surgical oncologist who has practiced for 29 years, was reappointed to TMA’s Committee on Cancer. The committee supervises TMA’s cancer-related activities, educates physicians and patients about cancer, and works with other groups on cancer-related care and issues.

Wendy Chung, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, was reappointed to TMA’s Committee on Infectious Diseases. The committee educates physicians and the public about new information regarding infectious diseases including HIV, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Ian Ratner, MD, a neonatal-perinatal specialist who has practiced for 31 years, and Elizabeth Stehel, MD, a pediatrician practicing for 12 years, were newly appointed to TMA’s Committee on Maternal and Perinatal Health. The committee reviews laws, regulations, and activities that affect the health of newborn babies and their mothers.

Mark A. Casanova, MD, an internist specializing in palliative care, was newly elected to TMA’s Council on Constitution and Bylaws. The council serves as an advisory body on matters pertaining to the TMA Constitution and Bylaws, and handles long-range organizational planning.

Scott E. Conard, MD, who specializes in sleep medicine, and Gregory M. Fuller, MD, a family physician from Keller, were reelected to TMA’s Council on Health Care Quality. Erin D. Roe, MD, MBA, who specializes in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism medicine, was newly elected to the council. The Council on Health Care Quality establishes policy to improve and measure health care quality and patient safety. This includes educating physicians about opportunities to use federal and state incentives to improve their patient outcomes, and advocating before the government for sound quality improvement initiatives.

Benjamin C. Lee, MD, a pediatrician, was newly elected to TMA’s Council on Health Promotion. The council plans and oversees programs that enable TMA, the TMA Alliance (a volunteer organization of TMA physicians and spouses), and the TMA Foundation (TMA’s philanthropic arm) to improve the health of all Texans.

Les Secrest, MD, a practicing psychoanalyst for 40 years, was appointed chair of TMA’s Council of Legislation. Lee Ann Pearse, MD, a practicing pediatric cardiologist of 26 years, was reelected to the council. The Council on Legislation develops and implements legislative policies at the state and national levels to improve medicine and patient care.

Jeffrey E. Janis, MD, a plastic surgeon, was newly elected to TMA’s Council on Medical Education. The council coordinates TMA’s medical education activities, studies the physician workforce, accredits continuing medical education activities, and monitors physician licensure and credentialing.

Duncanville 

Paul Hackett, MD, a general surgeon, was newly appointed to TMA’s Committee on Patient-Physician Advocacy. The committee assesses the quality of medical care in Texas and recommends regulatory, legislative, and legal approaches to ensure that the highest standard of quality medical care is available for all Texan patients.

Fort Worth 

Jerry L. Barker Jr., MD, a radiological oncologist who has practiced nine years, was reappointed to TMA’s Committee on Cancer.

Woody V. Kageler, MD, a pulmonary disease specialist who has practiced for 36 years, was reelected to TMA’s Council on Health Service Organizations. The council makes recommendations and takes action relative to all patient-care facilities, including emergency departments; ambulatory surgery centers; hospitals; and skilled nursing, long-term-care, assisted living, hospice, home care, and other treatment facilities.

Mesquite 

Lisa Swanson, MD, a pediatrician practicing for 24 years, was newly appointed to TMA’s Committee on Child and Adolescent Health. The committee promotes policies to encourage the development of healthy young Texans.

Plano

Christopher Crow, MD, MBA, a family physician who has practiced for 12 years, was reelected to TMA’s Council on Socioeconomics. The council makes recommendations related to the socioeconomic aspects of medical care and regulations.   

Syracuse 

Donald K. Murphey, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, was reappointed to TMA’s Committee on Infectious Diseases.

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.

-- 30 --

Sept. 20, 2012