Three New TMB Members, Four Re-Appointments

Today, Gov. Rick Perry appointed seven members to the Texas Medical Board for terms to expire Apr. 13, 2015. The board protects and enhances the public’s health, safety and welfare by establishing and maintaining standards of excellence used in regulating the practice of medicine and ensuring quality health care for the citizens of Texas.

David Baucom of Sulphur Springs is president of Baucom Insurance Services Inc. He is a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, founding director of First American Mortgage Company, and a director of First American Bank. He is also a past member of the Sulphur Springs City Council, past mayor of Sulphur Springs, past president of the Sulphur River Basin Authority, and past member of the Texas Medical Board District Review Committee. Baucom served in the U.S. Army National Guard, and received a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University. He is being reappointed.

Patrick J. Crocker of Austin is chief of emergency medicine for emergency service partners in the Emergency Department of Dell Children’s Hospital, and an assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine for the University of Texas Medical Branch. He is a member of the SETON Board of Trustees and Take Heart Austin Steering Committee, and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He is also a member of the Travis County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association, and chair of the Austin/Travis County EMS Quality Assurance Board. Crocker served in the U.S. Army, and received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nutrition from the University of California at Berkley, and a doctorate of osteopathy from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. He replaces Larry Price of Belton.

John D. Ellis Jr. of Houston is chairman of John Ellis and Associates. He is a past foreign trial observer for the Federal Republic of Germany and consul general for the Republic of Malta. He is a life fellow of the American, Texas and Houston Bar associations, and a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates and Houston Bar Association Board of Directors. He is also a member of the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston Development Council and Dean's Advisory Committee, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Board of Directors, where he is also life time vice president. Ellis served in the U.S. Army and in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, and graduated from The Citadel as a Distinguished Military Graduate and received a law degree from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in forensic science and from George Washington University. He replaces Annette Raggette of Houston.

Manuel G. Guajardo of Brownsville is a physician in private practice. He is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and American Fertility Association, and a member of the Texas Medical Association. He is also a member of the Valley Zoological Society Board of Directors and the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves as president and chairman of the Brownsville Doctors Hospital Board of Directors. Guajardo received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center. He is being reappointed.

Allan N. Shulkin of Dallas is a pulmonary and critical care specialist in private practice. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a member of the American Thoracic Society, Dallas County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association. He is also a past member of the Dallas County Hospital District Board of Managers, and a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas Community Advisory Council and American Israel Public Affairs Committee Executive Board. Shulkin received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio. He is being reappointed.

Wynne M. Snoots of Dallas is an orthopedic surgeon and medical director of the Baylor Sammons Bone Tumor Center at Baylor University Medical Center. He is a member of the American and Dallas County Medical associations, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and Texas Medical Foundation. He is also past president of the Texas Orthopedic Association. Snoots served in the U.S. Army and received two bachelor’s degrees from Texas A&M University and a medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He replaces Amanullah Khan of Dallas.

Timothy J. Turner of Houston is principal of Tim Turner and Associates LLC. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, and a past member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, Federation of State Medical Boards, Greater Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce and Caring for Children Foundation. He is also chairman of the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council Health Information Technology Advisory Committee. Turner received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He is being reappointed.

My Take: Dr. Price, Ms. Raggette and Dr. Khan will all be missed as intelligent and hard working Board members. I did not always agree with them, but I did respect them and I always thought them to fair. As defense counsel, that is all that I want from a Board member. Thank you for your service.