September 12, 2020
Eighteen Dallas-area physicians have begun terms of service in Texas Medical Association (TMA) leadership positions, while caring for patients and managing medicine’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
TMA’s House of Delegates policymaking body met virtually on Saturday to verify the last of this year’s TMA elections and appointments. The pandemic forced TMA to alter its governance and meeting processes in 2020. Physician leaders have used virtual meetings and special governance provisions this year to elect or appoint physicians and medical students to one or more of TMA’s 25 boards, councils, and committees. The physicians are responsible for studying health care-related issues and making recommendations on important health care policy affecting Texas patients and their physicians.
Except where noted, all the physicians are members of the Dallas County Medical Society.
Carrollton
Udaya Bhaskar Padakandla, MD, anesthesiologist in practice for 23 years; elected to the TMA Council on Science and Public Health. Dr. Padakandla is a member of the Denton County Medical Society.
Coppell
Vani Venkatachalam, MD, pediatrician in practice for five years; elected to the TMA Council on Health Care Quality.
Dallas
Mark A. Casanova, MD, palliative care physician in practice for 18 years; appointed chair of TMA’s Council on Health Service Organizations.
Robert Lee Fine, MD, internist in practice for 39 years; reappointed consultant to TMA’s Council on Health Service Organizations.
Angela Fulgham Gardner, MD, emergency physician in practice for 30 years; appointed to TMA’s Patient-Physician Advocacy Committee.
Steven R. Hays, MD, nephrologist in practice for 36 years; confirmed as a vice councilor on TMA’s Board of Councilors.
S. Marshal Isaacs, MD, emergency physician in practice for 14 years; appointed to TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness.
Kevin Wayne Klein, MD, anesthesiologist in practice for 35 years; reelected to TMA’s Council on Medical Education.
David P. Mason, MD, thoracic surgeon in practice for six years; appointed to TMA’s Committee on Cancer.
Saurin N. Patel, MD, internist in practice for seven years; appointed to TMA’s Committee on Physician Distribution and Health Care Access. Dr. Patel is a member of the Travis County Medical Society.
Eduardo J. Sanchez, MD, public health physician in practice for 29 years; reappointed consultant to TMA’s Council on Science and Public Health.
Joseph H. Schneider, MD, pediatrician in practice for 22 years; reappointed to TMA’s Committee on Health Information Technology.
Les Secrest, MD, psychiatrist in practice for 48 years; reappointed consultant to TMA’s Council on Legislation.
Edward W. Tuthill, MD, psychiatrist in practice for 49 years; reelected as councilor for District 14 on TMA’s Board of Councilors.
Duncanville
Vella Victoria Chancellor, MD, gynecologist in practice for 38 years; reappointed consultant to TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness.
Plano
Timothy Rae Chappell, MD, internist in practice for 41 years; appointed to TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness.
Sejal S. Mehta, MD, psychiatrist in practice for 16 years; appointed chair of TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness.
Drs. Chappell and Mehta are members of the Collin-Fannin County Medical Society.
Rowlett
Gabriela M. Zandomeni, MD, obstetrician in practice for nine years; reappointed consultant to TMA’s Committee on Membership.
Descriptions of the board, councils, and committees:
Read the descriptions and charges of each TMA board, council, and committee.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 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 Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320
Marcus Cooper (512) 370-1382; cell: (512) 650-5336
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