Brazoria County Doctor Named TMA Health Hero

May 19, 2018  

Lekshmi Nair, MD, a board-certified family physician in Manvel, was named a Health Hero by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) for her commitment to improving the health of her community. She is one of only three physicians TMA honored with the second annual award today during TexMed, TMA’s annual conference, in San Antonio.

The award recognizes TMA members who have led and participated in all three of TMA’s flagship outreach programs: Be Wise — ImmunizeSM, a program to educate about vaccinations and improve vaccination rates in Texas; Hard Hats for Little Heads (HHLH), a bike helmet giveaway program; and Walk With a Doc Texas(WWAD), a national grassroots movement devoted to encouraging healthy physical activity. TMA’s Council on Health Promotion presents the award as part of its oversight of TMA’s outreach programs, along with the TMA Foundation (TMAF), which funds them.

“It’s wonderful to be selected as a Health Hero,” said Dr. Nair. “I host these events because they are great ways for physicians to connect with people in the community and build that patient-physician trust which helps them make healthier choices.”

Dr. Nair and Love to Share Foundation America have sponsored the annual Life and Soul Health Fair since 2011, offering health screenings and education to community members, and new HHLH bicycle helmets to kids. After giving helmets for many years, Dr. Nair started offering vaccinations at the fair to meet attendees’ need for flu shots. Since then, she has applied for and received six Be Wise Local Impact Grants to give vaccinations at her fall event.

“Introducing vaccinations has added great value to my events,” said Dr. Nair. “People call in advance to make sure we will have the vaccine.”

Dr. Nair also began hosting WWAD walks with Love to Share Foundation in March 2017, where Manvel and Pearland residents may join her for monthly walks.* “Walking is one of the best things we can do to live a long, healthy life. This program makes it easy and fun,” said Dr. Nair.

The TMA Foundation, TMA’s philanthropic arm, is committed to connecting the charitable concerns of physicians with the people of Texas. The three TMAF-funded outreach initiatives enable physicians to give back to their community and help support TMA’s mission to “improve the health of all Texans.”

Dr. Nair has practiced family medicine in Manvel for 12 years and is a member of the Brazoria County Medical Society. She sees patients at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center and the Memorial Hermann Hospital System, and she works with other medical groups including Prestige Medical PA.

A TMA member for 14 years, Dr. Nair plans to continue hosting TMA outreach programs to help her community stay healthy. “It’s all about giving back and caring for others,” she said. “And it makes a big difference.”

Other physicians who were named Health Heroes are TMA President Douglas W. Curran, MD, of Athens, and Li-Yu Mitchell, MD, of Tyler. They join four physicians who received this distinction in 2017.  

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 51,000 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. TMA Foundation raises funds to support the public health and science priority initiatives of TMA and the Family of Medicine.

Be Wise — Immunize is a service mark of the Texas Medical Association.

*Dr. Nair hosts walks the first Saturday of every month, 7:30-8:30 am, at 3642 Bailey Ave. in Manvel.

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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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Check out MeAndMyDoctor.com for interesting and timely news on health care issues and policy.

 

Last Updated On

February 14, 2020

Originally Published On

June 05, 2018