Latest news with #TexasMedicalAssociation
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Local physician named President-Elect of Texas Medical Association
CENTRAL TEXAS (FOX 44) – A Central Texas physician is on his way to becoming the 161st president of the Texas Medical Association (TMA). The TMA has elected Bradford W. Holland, MD, as its new president-elect, placing the Central Texas-based otolaryngologist on course to become the association's 161st president in May 2026. The TMA says the election took place during TexMed, TMA's annual conference, held this year in San Antonio. Dr. Holland is the first TMA president elected from Waco in more than five decades. Dr. Holland practices at Coryell Health in Gatesville and Waco. He says his goal as TMA president-elect is to preserve the medical profession for future generations, a mission that originally inspired his involvement in advocacy. He also encourages physicians to engage in policy efforts which safeguard the physician-patient relationship and strengthen the future of medicine. The TMA says Dr. Holland has been a member for more than 30 years, starting as a medical student at UT Southwestern. He is a graduate of the TMA Leadership College, served on the Council on Legislation, and was first elected vice speaker of the TMA House of Delegates in 2019. Dr. Holland led the House through the COVID-19 pandemic, later serving four terms as speaker. He also chaired TEXPAC, TMA's political action committee. In addition to his TMA leadership, Dr. Holland is a past president of both the McLennan County Medical Society and the Texas Association of Otolaryngology. He is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and serves as adjunct faculty in Baylor University's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The TMA says Dr. Holland and his wife, Amanda Holland, director of advising for Baylor's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, live in Waco and have four children. The couple enjoys attending concerts, serving in community arts leadership, and fly fishing in mountain trout streams. Dr. Holland will serve a one-year term as president-elect before officially assuming the role of TMA president in May 2026. The TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, and represents more than 59,000 physician and medical student members. It is dedicated to improving the health of all Texans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Clinic-in-a-Box' could help bridge the rural-urban healthcare divide
AUSTIN (KXAN) – A company is rolling out a new product to expand access to patients in rural areas. OnMed showcased its Clinic-in-a-Box on Wednesday to local media and Texas legislators. The company touts that the 8-by-11-foot 'box' combines the accessibility of telehealth medicine with the infrastructure of in-person care. 'Eighty percent of counties don't have adequate care. In Texas, 35 counties lack access completely, and 150 have very little access,' said Howard Gruverman, the president of OnMed. 'This is a lower cost, lower footprint, ability to address the access.' OnMed's Clinic-in-a-Box looks like a typical primary care physician's exam room. There is a scale, a blood pressure monitor and a hand sanitizer dispenser. But the glaring difference is the large, touch-screen monitor in the pod. Patients from counties where physicians are lacking can enter the device and be connected with a qualified doctor in a larger city in moments, according to OnMed. 'We're working with a lot of local and state governments, including the federal government, to look at where the care deserts are,' Gruverman said. OnMed already has 30 clinics in use across the United States, and Gruverman said he expects that number to jump to 200 by the end of 2025. In Texas, there are active ones in Milam County and in Corsicana. Gruverman said his team is working on activating four additional Texas ones soon. 'We become part of the fabric of the community – to connect people to the proper care, whether it's primary care, urgent care, specialty referrals, food insecurity, food banks, mental health services [and] behavioral services,' he continued. President of the Texas Medical Association, Dr. Ray Callas, said he thinks a product such as Clinic-in-a-Box could be an excellent tool to connect rural patients to doctors, but he said it is essential that the medical team maintains quality care. '[The team] must be an educated, highly trained physician collaboration,' Callas said. 'We have been trying to promote that all Texans have the same access – no matter if you live in a large metropolitan area, or you live in a small farm community, or if you live on the border and there's only 1,000 people in that community,' Callas said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Amended Life of the Mother Act Unaimously Passes Committee and Heads to Senate Floor
TYLER, Texas (KETK)–State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola is leading the charge at the Capitol when it comes to pro-life. Filing two of three bills up for vote this session. 'Pro-life laws in Texas are to protect a little unborn baby growing inside her mother's womb, and we recognize the mom also deserves protection. We can love them both, and protect them both,' State Senator Bryan Hughes said. He filed Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act, as a way to clarify some of the exceptions under the state's current abortion law. Especially for some doctors who were confused and scared to treat their patients. 'Despite our willingness and commitment to provide the best care possible that there were circumstances where our decision making could result in adverse consequences for us, both personally and professionally,' Texas Medical Association Dr. Zeke Silva said. The bill was first heard in the state affairs committee at the end of March. After valuable feedback, Hughes went to work with the Texas Medical Association to clear up the confusion on who would be charged and when they would face consequences. Hughes reiterating the mother would not be prosecuted for having an abortion. 'Exempting us from any charge of aiding and abetting during discussions that happen commonly between a physician and their patient,' Dr. Silva said. The amendments also took out the word 'Life-threatening' when referring to medical emergencies. 'This bill clarifies that there's no expectation to wait until those shortcomings are imminent or to wait until the mother's condition turns to a point that would lend itself to that, Dr. Silva said. 'Clarified the definition of a condition called an ectopic pregnancy to better align that definition with current medical standards and accurate anatomic decisions and descriptions.' The amended bill also adds required education for lawyers and doctors to better understand Texas abortion laws. After getting a unanimous green light, the amended bill will now make its way to the Senate floor to be discussed and voted on before the 89th Legislative Session ends on June 2nd. 'Texas pro-life laws have always recognized an exception for the life of the Mother,' Hughes said. Senate Bill 31 will make the law even clearer and will require doctors to receive specific training on the medical emergency exception. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
