Friday, December 12, 2008

President Resigns; New President Named

This morning the President of the Texas Medical Board, Roberta Kalafut, D.O. of Abilene resigned both as President and member of the Board. Dr. Kalafut served as a member of the Board for many years spending a significant amount of time and energy devoted the Board. She is resigning to spend more time with her family. Dr. Kalafut will remain involved with the Board as member of District Review Committee.

Irvin Zeitler, D.O., of San Angelo has been named the new President of the Board. Dr. Zeitler is a board certified family practice physician at Shannon Medical Center, where he serves as Vice President of Medical Affairs. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Pharmacy and earned his medical degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. He completed his family practice residency at Texas Tech. He previously practiced in Stamford, Texas. Dr. Zeitler has served on the District Review Committee since 1988, having been appointed by three different governors. He was appointed to the Texas Medical Board last year.

Dr. Zeitler is an intelligent and thoughtful individual. I have always found him to be open, straight-forward and well prepared. I wish him the best of luck in this new position with the Board.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

New Appointments to the Board

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed David Baucom of Sulphur Springs to the Texas Medical Board for a term to expire April 13, 2009. Mr. Baucom is president of Baucom Insurance Services Inc. He is a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, a founding director of First American Mortgage Company and a past director of First American Bank. He is also a past member of the Sulphur Springs City Council, past mayor of Sulphur Springs and president of the Sulphur River Basin Authority. Baucom served in the U.S. Army National Guard. He received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University. He replaces Melinda Fredricks of Conroe.

Mr. Baucom previous served a number of years on the District Review Committee of the Board. The District Review Committee members are used to support the Board members. This is especially true in the disciplinary process as these members of used at ISCs on a regular basis.
Mr. Baucom is an extremely kind, knowledgeable, and well-prepared individual. I have always found him thoughtful and inquisitive. I do not always agree with Mr. Baucom on his decisions, but I always have respect for them as he never comes to a decision lightly.

Mr. Perry also appointed nine members to Texas Medical Board District Review Committees.

Sharon J. Barnes of Port Lavaca is the human resource leader at the Dow Chemical Company. She is national secretary of the National Organization of Black Chemists. She is also a past mayor-pro tempore and city council member of the city of Lake Jackson. Barnes received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She is reappointed for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2012. This is her second appointment as a District Review Committee Member.

Wendy Prater Dear of Tomball is an attorney in private practice. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association. She is also a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners and Northwest Family YMCA Board of Directors. Dear received a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from Baylor University. She is reappointed for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2014. This is her first full appointment as a District Review Committee Member, she filled an expired term.

Charles Stiernberg of Bellaire is a physician in private practice. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and a member of the Texas Medical Association and Harris County Medical Society. Stiernberg received a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, a master’s degree from the University of Houston and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He is reappointed for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2014.

Frank Wellborne of Houston is a clinical rheumatologist in private practice. He is a member of the American and Texas Medical associations and an American College of Rheumatology fellow. Wellborne received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a medical degree in osteopathic medicine from Des Moines University. Wellborne is reappointed for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2012. This is his third appointment as a District Review Committee Member.

Kathy C. Flanagan of Houston is a self-employed psychiatrist. She is a member of the Houston Medical Forum, American Psychiatric Association and National Medical Association. She is also a volunteer at the DePelchin Children’s Center. Flanagan received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School. She replaces Kevin Smith of Houston for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2010.

Harry K. Wallfisch of Galveston is a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Society of Critical Care Medicine and an American Board of Anesthesiology diplomat. Wallfisch received a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a medical degree from Louisiana State University. He replaces Richard Strax of Houston for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2012.

Janet Tornelli-Mitchell of Dallas is a staff physician at Cooper Clinic. She is a member of the Dallas County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association. Tornelli-Mitchell received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She is reappointed for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2014. This is her second appointment as a District Review Committee Member. She is also a former Board member.

Penny Angelo of Midland is a past member of the Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists. She is chair of Neighbors Against Burglary and Drugs. Angelo received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She is reappointed for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2014. This is her second appointment as a District Review Committee Member. She is also a former Board member.

David W. Miller of Abilene is president and CEO of Hendrick Home for Children. He is past president of the Southwestern Association of Executives of Homes for Children. Miller received a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University, and a master’s degree and doctorate degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is reappointed for a term to expire Jan. 15, 2012. This is his second appointment as a District Review Committee Member.

Monday, December 8, 2008

STANDARD OF CARE CASES

I have found a large increase in the number of complaints regarding the standard of care. It appears to me that the vast majority of the complaints opened do lead to full investigations. According to staff that I have discussed this with, the Board wants the Board consultants to review each complaint. I understand the rationale, but I believe it can be done better. The Board does employ nurse investigators and should, in my opinion, give them great discretion to evaluate some of these initial complaints. Some of these initial complaints should be screened in cases where the standard of care is met, based on both the medical records and supporting information, to ensure it does not rise to the level of a full investigation. This would be a win for both the Board and the doctor. The doctor would not have to bare the stress and expense of an investigation. The Board would not waste its resources and time on an investigation its own staff knows is within the standard of care. There are many members of the staff that are well qualified, experienced and able to do this. Moreover, all closures are reviewed by the Board members, so this will balance this process. This would be a win-win.