MATT RAINWATERS
PUBLIC HEALTH
Good advice Physicians help shape public health policy
BY CRYSTAL ZUZEK Texas physicians are making a difference, not only in their clinics and hospitals, but on state and local commit- tees that help shape health care policy. Reducing death and disability from cardio- vascular disease and stroke and improving childhood nutrition are just two of the areas where physicians’ expertise is vital.
Physicians bring knowl- edge and experience to public health groups, says William “Chip” Riggins, MD, a member of the Pub- lic Health Funding and Policy Committee (PHFPC) created by the legislature in 2011. Dr. Riggins also is a member of the Texas Medi- cal Association Council on Science and Public Health and executive director and local health authority of Williamson County and Cit- ies Health District. “Physi- cians are on the front line of health care and should have a prominent role in public health as the health care landscape transforms.” TMA helps physicians
sicians to fill committee positions. When estab- lished state committees and councils have vacan- cies, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) or other agency typically notifies TMA and invites the association to submit a nomination. TMA then sends a letter of reference to support a physician member who is qualified and interested in membership. And when new TMA-supported legis- lation creates a committee or council, the association works with the appropriate agency to appoint a TMA member. A TMA member may contact the associa- tion for support in becom- ing a member of a state committee or council.
William “Chip” Riggins, MD, executive director and local health author- ity of Williamson County and Cities Health District, is a member of the Public Health Funding and Policy Committee.
gain membership on state public health committees. For in- stance, the association nominated Dr. Riggins and Harlan “Mark” Guidry, MD, health authority and chief executive of- ficer of Galveston County Health District, to fill local health authority positions on the PHFPC when it was established. Dr. Riggins is the committee vice chair. State officials look to TMA for recommendations on phy-
Fighting chronic disease J. Neal Rutledge, MD, an Austin neurointerventional surgeon, is acting chair of the Texas Council on Car- diovascular Disease and Stroke. He’s been a mem- ber since 2005. He also
chairs the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council Stroke Committee. Dr. Rutledge says his goal is to “decrease state ex- penditures by promoting prevention, effective acute treatment, and remediation of cardiovascular disease and stroke.” “The council is focusing on chronic disease and rehabilita- tion and research with better metrics and targeted reporting for the legislature,” he said.
October 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60