UTMB Physician, Medical Student Join TMA Foundation Board

Nov. 3, 2015

 A resident physician and a medical student at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine (UTMB School of Medicine) recently were appointed to serve one-year terms on the Texas Medical Association Foundation (TMAF) Board of Trustees. TMAF is the philanthropic arm of TMA, the nation’s largest state medical society.

Mani Akhtari, MD, a radiation oncology resident, was appointed to a second one-year term on the board as a representative of the TMA Resident and Fellow Section.  He is an active member of the American College of Radiation Oncology, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American College of Radiology, and the American Radium Society.

Dr. Akhtari received his bachelor of arts in biology from The University Texas at Austin, where he graduated magna cum laude. He completed medical school at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. Residency is specialized training physicians receive before practicing medicine independently. He is completing his radiation oncology residency.

Matthew L. Edwards, a fourth-year medical student, was appointed to a one-year term as a representative of the TMA Medical Student Section (TMA-MSS). Mr. Edwards has been involved in organized medicine since receiving the TMA Minority Scholarship in 2012. He has served as a member of the TMA-MSS Executive Council, the TMA Council on Socioeconomics, and the American Medical Association-MSS Minority Issues Committee. He also has represented the TMA-MSS in the TMA House of Delegates and volunteered at the TMAF annual gala. Mr. Edwards graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University and received a graduate certificate in public health from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health.

“The volunteer and leadership experience of these board members will benefit our grantmaking, as well as our fundraising efforts,” said TMAF President Deborah A. Fuller, MD, of Dallas.

TMAF supports statewide and local initiatives that focus on prevention and healthier lifestyles. Long-standing programs include TMA’s Be Wise — ImmunizeSM program to provide vaccinations and increase awareness and Hard Hats for Little Heads bicycle helmet giveaway program. TMA Foundation also supports other health improvement programs and a new TMA initiative, Walk With a Doc Texas, part of a national grassroots movement devoted to encouraging healthy physical activity. In 2015, more than $500,000 in TMAF grants support 36 health initiatives to create a Healthy Now and Healthy Future.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 48,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 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:  Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320; email: brent.annear[at]texmed[dot]org

Marcus Cooper (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 650-5336; email: marcus.cooper[at]texmed[dot]org

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Last Updated On

April 04, 2022

Originally Published On

November 03, 2015

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