Texas physician to run for AAFP President-elect

Director of the Family Practice Residency Program at Christus Santa Rosa, James C. Martin, MD announced his candidacy for president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians at the AAFP Congress of Delegates last September. A member of the AAFP Board of Directors since 1998, Martin says wise decisions and good leadership have put the academy in a unique position to play an important role in health care policy decisions on such issues as health care for the uninsured, quality of care and the future of graduate medical education. However, he believes that it is time for the academy to seek a stronger voice in the political arena. “Family physicians provide more health care than any other medical discipline, but their opinions and input are often not sought when decisions about national health care are made. I firmly believe that the family physician is logically situated to be the center of patient care, and family physicians are in a good position to promote their role.”

He hopes to draw upon experiences gained during his 20 years of private practice, his participation in legislative efforts at both the state and national level of the Academy, and an understanding of medical education to forge a unified voice for family physicians. “I think it is the role of the president to articulate our goals and objectives, listen carefully to the membership and its issues, and promote the development of a stronger political voice,” Martin says. “I want to see that our family physicians receive the appreciation and respect for the work that they do.”

Two delegates from each state chapter of the academy will vote for president-elect at the next AAFP Congress of Delegates, Oct. 3-7, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia.  –Jonathan Nelson

  
 

Richards honored with Gold-Headed Cane Award

John H. Richards, M.D., of Fort Worth was honored with the Tarrant County Medical Society’s Gold-Headed Cane in October. The cane is a replica of a cane from the Royal College of Physicians in London that was carried from 1689 to 1823 by the most outstanding practitioner of the time. It was donated to the Tarrant County Medical Society in 1951 to recognize local physicians who symbolize the pursuit of the highest standards of scientific excellence and integrity. Dr. Richards has practiced medicine for 54 years and has served in every elected office of the Tarrant County Medical Society except for one.

The path to becoming a doctor was not an easy one for Dr. Richards. He worked his way through Texas Christian University while employed in a physician’s office. Although he earned his pre-med degree and was accepted to medical school in 1939, he had to decline his spot to earn some money working as a pharmaceutical representative for a few years. With money saved, he enrolled in UT Southwestern Medical School. A month into medical school he was drafted. Dr. Richards finally received his medical degree in 1946. At age 88 Dr. Richards still sees patients three days a week and he still makes house calls. He served as president of the Tarrant County Medical Society in 1964 and was a founder of the Fort Worth Academy of Medicine. He was recently honored by the Tarrant County Chapter of the TAFP with their Lifetime Achievement Award. –Kathy McCarthy

Cowan retires after 46 years

Garland family physician Seth B. Cowan, M.D., retired this fall after 46 years of practice. Actively involved in TAFP during his career, Cowan served as president of the TAFP Foundation for a number of years and held the office of TAFP President from 1979-80. He won the TAFP Physician of the Year Award in 1989, and the academy’s Philanthropist of the Year in 1999.

The Family Health Care Associates of Garland hosted a reception honoring Cowan on Oct. 28, 2000. –Jonathan Nelson 

  
 

TAFP members honored by UTMB

Stephen Benold, M.D., of Georgetown, Abdul Moosa, M.D., of LaPorte, John Oglesbee, M.D. of San Augustine, Jo Ann Rogers, M.D. of Houston, and the late Carlos Llanes, M.D. of Livingston were honored with “Top Doc” Awards at the Founders Day Scholarship Luncheon on Oct. 14, 2000. All five members and four other physicians who were named 2000 Teachers of Distinction teach UTMB medical students in their community-based practices. Of the 700 physicians who teach UTMB medical students, 68 were nominated by their students, peers and staff for the honor. –Kathy McCarthy

5 from Texas appointed to AAFP committees

TAFP has five new appointments to AAFP committees and commissions. Sheri Talley, M.D., of Fort Stockton was appointed to the Committee on Rural Health. Talley was TAFP President 1996-97 and has been an active member on the state and national level for many years. F. David Schneider, M.D., program director of the Family Practice Residency Program at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio was appointed to the Commission on Public Health. Schneider has been an active member for several years and currently serves as Treasurer of TAFP. Janet L. Hurley, M.D., a first-year resident at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, was appointed to the Commission on Health Care Services. Leanna Mosher, a second-year medical student at Texas A&M, was appointed to the Committee on Communications. Finally, Jo Ann Kindinger, TAFP Director of Education, was appointed to the Commission on Continuing Medical Education. This was the first year that chapter staff members were eligible for appointment to committees. Congratulations to all on their appointments. —Kathy McCarthy