Fort Worth Allergist Named TMA's 145th President

For Immediate Release
May 1, 2010

 

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The Texas Medical Association (TMA) elected Susan Rudd Bailey, MD, of Fort Worth as its 145th president and leader of the nation's largest state medical association, representing nearly 45,000 Texas physicians.

"Being TMA president at this crucial time in history is the greatest opportunity and challenge I have ever faced. It is the ultimate honor any Texas physician can be given, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work to help Texans get the best health care possible," Dr. Bailey said.

Dr. Bailey assumed the role today at TexMed 2010, the association's annual meeting, held this year in Fort Worth. An allergist and practicing physician for 24 years, Dr. Bailey also chairs TMA's Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, its governing body.

Dr. Bailey takes the helm of TMA on the heels not only of Congress' historic approval of health system reform this spring but also its failure to fix a 21-percent reduction in physician Medicare fees. As TMA president, one of Dr. Bailey's main goals will be to help Texas physicians wade through these tough issues.

"I know my focus is to help Texas physicians understand the implications of health system reform and be able to deal with it," Dr. Bailey said. "We're better positioned than any other organization in the country to help physicians deal with change because of the legal expertise TMA has, the socioeconomic expertise TMA has, and the reputation TMA has for being a grassroots organization that's really there for the needs of the members."

Closer to home, Dr. Bailey will lead TMA through the often uncertain waters at the state capitol as the Texas Legislature gets under way for the 82nd session in January 2011, in the middle of her presidential term.

"With the legislative session coming up in January, one of the things I really want to do is see what we can do at the state level to increase access to care and reduce cost," Dr. Bailey said.

Dr. Bailey is an allergist in private practice at Fort Worth Allergy and Asthma Associates, and previously served as an associate consultant at the Mayo Clinic's Department of Pediatrics in Rochester, Minn. She is board certified in allergy, asthma, immunology, and pediatrics.

Dr. Bailey has a long tenure of service with TMA. She served as speaker and vice speaker of TMA's House of Delegates, and chaired the TMA Council on Communication and the TMA and AMA medical student sections.

Dr. Bailey has been a leader in other medical organizations as well. Of note, she was elected to the AMA Council on Medical Education in 2004 and is the council's current chair. She also serves as the AMA representative to the Assembly of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Dr. Bailey has been active in the Tarrant County Medical Society for 20 years, including service as president and chair of the society's board of trustees.

Dr. Bailey received her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and was a member of its charter class. She completed her residency in general pediatrics and her fellowship in allergy/immunology at Minnesota's Mayo Graduate School of Medicine.

Dr. Bailey is married to W. Douglas Bailey, who is active in the TMA Foundation, TMA's philanthropic arm. They have two sons, Stephen Wynn and Michael Wynn and his wife, Amy; a granddaughter, Emily; and a grandson, Jackson.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 45,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 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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Last Updated On

June 27, 2013

Originally Published On

September 13, 2010

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