May 18, 2013
SAN ANTONIO ― Stephen L. Brotherton, MD, of Fort Worth, took office as the Texas Medical Association's (TMA's) 148th president Saturday during the associaton's annual meeting in San Antonio. TMA's House of Delegates, the association's policymaking body, elected Dr. Brotherton TMA president-elect last year.
“I am honored to represent the largest and greatest state medical society, and the patients we treat,” said Dr. Brotherton, an orthopedic surgeon.
Dr. Brotherton lists three top priorities for his term as president: Supporting and shoring up primary care for patients, ensuring patient safety, and strengthening TMA’s local county medical societies (CMSs).
“Primary care is the essence of medicine,” Dr. Brotherton said, “and it is ailing in Texas.”
He plans to work to strengthen primary care across the state by supporting loan repayment programs and reducing red tape that can hinder caring for patients who are on Medicaid and Medicare. He says this is important because studies have shown patients who have a primary care physician, or a “medical home,” are healthier, live longer, and engage in less risky behaviors.
Dr. Brotherton will work to ensure patient safety by advocating for health care teams led by physicians. Dr. Brotherton said physicians, because of their extensive medical training, are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat patients. “Without a physician to guide the health care team, patient safety is at risk.”
Finally, Dr. Brotherton says we need a strong TMA membership to advocate for patients and physicians effectively. He hopes to reenergize nonactive CMSs and increase TMA membership to ensure statewide support for the association’s programs and initiatives.
A past president of the Tarrant County Medical Society, Dr. Brotherton served as the speaker of TMA’s House of Delegates for four years and vice speaker for three years. Dr. Brotherton also has served on the TMA Board of Trustees since 2005 and chaired the TMA Council on Health Service Organizations. He was a Texas delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates for 11 years before resigning in 2009 to accept an appointment to AMA’s Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs.
In addition to his passion for organized medicine, Dr. Brotherton pursues other interests in his community. He is the senior orthopedic consultant for his undergraduate alma mater, Texas Christian University (TCU), and is a loyal Horned Frogs fan. He also is the company physician for two ballet companies, and medical director of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. He operated a clinic at a homeless shelter for 12 years, and now spends his free time volunteering at a free medical clinic at Cornerstone Community Center in Fort Worth.
Dr. Brotherton received his medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Emory University and Affiliated Hospitals in Atlanta in 1987. He has been practicing medicine for more than 25 years.
He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and teaches at TCU, the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Affiliated Hospitals Orthopedic Residency Program.
The American Academy of Family Physicians recognized Dr. Brotherton in 2002 for his teaching, and the JPS Health Network orthopedic residency program in Fort Worth named him Educator of the Year in 2004.
He and his wife, Peggy, have been married 29 years and have three grown sons, John, Ben, and Sam, all college graduates, the youngest having graduated earlier this month.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 47,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 112 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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Contact: Pam Udall (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 413-6807; email: pam.udall[at]texmed[dot]org
Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320; email: brent.annear[at]texmed[dot]org
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