Houston-Area Physicians Begin TMA Leadership Positions

September 6, 2019

Thirty Houston-area physicians who practice in Houston, Bellaire, Cypress, and Sugar Land will begin new terms of service in Texas Medical Association (TMA) leadership positions next week during the TMA Fall Conference.

TMA leaders appoint or elect TMA physicians and medical students to one of TMA’s 25 boards, councils, and committees. They are responsible for studying health care-related issues and making recommendations on important health care policy affecting Texas patients and their physicians.

Bellaire

Shannon B. Hancher-Hodges, MD, an anesthesiologist in practice for 10 years, was appointed chair and reappointed to a final three-year term on TMA’s Patient-Physician Advocacy Committee. The committee evaluates the quality of medical care in Texas and recommends regulatory, legislative, and legal approaches to ensure the highest standard of health care is available for all Texas patients.

Cypress

Debra M. Osterman, MD, a psychiatrist in practice for 27 years, was reappointed to a new three-year term on TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness. The committee provides support and outreach related to the treatment and rehabilitation of physicians with impairments.

Houston

Richard N. Bradley, MD, an emergency medicine physician in practice for 21 years, was appointed chair and reappointed to a final three-year term on TMA’s Committee on Emergency Medical Services and Trauma. The committee works to create and maintain local and statewide plans for emergency medical services, and educates physicians on providing medical care in disaster situations.

Abenaa M. Brewster, MD, an oncologist in practice for 16 years, was reappointed to a final three-year term on 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.

Lilette Daumas-Britsch, MD, a family physician in practice for 30 years, was elected to a two-year term on TMA’s Council on Practice Management Services. The council oversees all association practice-management services provided directly to physicians and their staff.

Charles E. Cowles, MD, an anesthesiologist in practice for 12 years, was reelected to serve a three-year term on TMA’s Council on Medical Education. The council coordinates TMA’s medical education activities, studies Texas’ physician workforce trends, accredits continuing medical education programs, and monitors physician licensure and credentialing.

Catherine S. Eppes, MD, a maternal and fetal medicine specialist and obstetrician-gynecologist in practice for 11 years, was reappointed to a final three-year term on TMA’s Committee on Infectious Diseases. The committee educates physicians and the public about new information regarding infectious diseases including HIV, Zika, Ebola, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Lewis E. Foxhall, MD, a family physician in practice for 40 years, was reappointed as a consultant to TMA’s Committee on Cancer. (Please see Dr. Brewster’s entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.) 

Clare N. Gentry, MD, an infectious diseases specialist in practice for 15 years, was reappointed for a final three-year term on TMA’s Committee on Infectious Diseases. (Please see Dr. Eppes’ entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.)

William S. Gilmer, MD, a neurologist in practice for 31 years, was reappointed as a consultant to TMA’s Council on Science and Public Health. This council develops TMA policy on critical public health and medical science issues, advances TMA’s leadership in medical science and public health advocacy, and provides physicians timely public health and scientific information on current topics. Dr. Gilmer is also a member of the 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.

Alan P. Glombicki, MD, a gastroenterologist in practice for 33 years, was appointed to a three-year term on TMA’s Patient-Physician Advocacy Committee. (Please see Dr. Hancher-Hodges’ entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.) 

James S. Guo, MD, an anesthesiologist in practice for 23 years, was appointed as a consultant to TMA’s Council on Health Service Organizations. The council studies, makes recommendations, and takes action related to the organization of and services provided by 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. Dr. Guo recently served as the council’s chair.

Alison J. Haddock, MD, an emergency medicine physician in practice for five years, was reelected to serve a final three-year term on TMA’s Council on Health Promotion. The council plans and oversees community outreach programs that enable TMA, the TMA Alliance (TMA’s community service and advocacy arm), and the TMA Foundation (TMA’s philanthropic arm) to improve the health of all Texans.

Lawrence M. Hanrahan, MD, a health care consultant, was reappointed as a consultant to TMA’s Council on Medical Education. (Please see Dr. Cowles’ entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.) 

Toi B. Harris, MD, a psychiatrist in practice for 21 years, was reappointed to a new term on TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness. (Please see Dr. Osterman’s entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.)

Robert E. Jackson, MD, an internist in practice for 35 years, was reelected to serve a final three-year term on TMA’s Council on Legislation. The council monitors and develops strategies regarding pending legislation and initiates legislative policies at the state and national levels to improve our health care system.

Russell W.H. Kridel, MD, a plastic surgeon in practice for 40 years, was reappointed as a consultant to TMA’s Council on Legislation. (Please see Dr. Jackson’s entry above for a description of the council’s charge.)

Shane M. Magee, MD, an internist in practice for three years, was appointed to a three-year term on TMA’s Patient-Physician Advocacy Committee. (Please see Dr. Hancher-Hodges’ entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.)  

Ankur D. Mehta, DO, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (pain physician) in practice for eight years, was appointed to a three-year term on the Committee on Health Information Technology. The committee promotes the safe and effective use of technology that supports practice efficiency, quality improvement activities, and management of population health; monitors laws, regulations, and programs, and develops association policy related to health technology; collaborates with other organizations and government to resolve health technology issues; and oversees development of technology-related education and resources for physicians.

Carla F. Ortique, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in practice for 29 years, was elected to a three-year term on TMA’s Council on Science and Public Health. (Please see Dr. Gilmer’s entry above for a description of the council’s charge.)  

George H. Perkins, MD, a radiation oncologist in practice for 18 years, was appointed to a three-year term on TMA’s Committee on Cancer. (Please see Dr. Brewster’s entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.) He also will serve as a consultant to TMA’s Council on Health Care Quality. The council establishes policy on topics surrounding quality improvement, such as performance-based measurements and value-based payment programs, and educates physicians about federal and state incentives to improve patient care. It also advocates for fair and sound quality improvement initiatives.

Jennifer L. Bercaw-Pratt, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in practice for 11 years, was reappointed as a consultant to TMA’s Committee on Child and Adolescent Health. The committee promotes policies to encourage the development of healthy young Texans.  

Evan G. Pivalizza, MD, an anesthesiologist in practice for 22 years, was appointed as chair and reappointed to serve a final three-year term on TMA’s Committee on Physician Distribution and Health Care Access. The committee analyzes the physician, nursing, and allied health care workforce and its impact on health care access, and promotes careers in medicine and the health professions.

Lois M. Ramondetta, MD, a gynecological oncologist and palliative medicine physician in practice for 21 years, was reappointed as a consultant to TMA’s Committee on Cancer. (Please see Dr. Brewster’s entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.)

Manish Rungta, MD, a gastroenterologist in practice for 16 years, was elected to a three-year term on TMA’s Council on Medical Education. (Please see Dr. Cowles’ entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.)

Tara L. Sagebiel, MD, a radiologist in practice for 15 years, was appointed to a one-year term on TMA’s Committee on Continuing Education. The committee monitors and studies trends and issues in continuing medical education and recommends TMA policy on the subject.

Gary J. Sheppard, MD, an internist in practice for 25 years, was reappointed as a consultant to TMA’s Council on Legislation. (Please see Dr. Jackson’s entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.)

Mina K. Sinacori, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in practice for 17 years, was elected to a three-year term TMA’s Council on Health Service Organizations. (Please see Dr. Guo’s entry above for a description of the council’s charge.)

January Y. Tsai, MD, an adult cardiothoracic anesthesiologist in practice for nine years, was reelected to a new term on TMA’s Council on Health Care Quality. (Please see Dr. Perkins’ entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.)

All of the physicians listed above are members of the Harris County Medical Society.

Sugar Land

Majid A. Basit, MD, a cardiologist in practice for 16 years, was appointed to a three-year term on TMA’s Patient-Physician Advocacy Committee. (Please see Dr. Hancher-Hodges’ entry above for a description of the committee’s charge.) Dr. Basjit is a member of the Fort Bend County Medical Society.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 53,000 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 Annearr (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320

 Marcus Cooper (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 650-5336

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Last Updated On

September 09, 2019

Originally Published On

September 06, 2019

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