Governor Greg Abbott has appointed four individuals to the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council. The appointees are Clifford Porter, M.D., Ph.D., Bryan Sisk, DNP, Candice Smith, and Cheletta Watkins, M.D. Their terms will last at the discretion of the Governor. The Council is tasked with studying and developing strategies to support a robust health care system and workforce in Texas.
Clifford Porter, M.D., Ph.D., from Austin, is a physician at Texas Direct Medical Care and serves as a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He previously belonged to the Free Market Medical Association and the Christian Medical & Dental Association. Porter also volunteers on medical mission trips with Austin Christian Fellowship and Austin Ridge Churches. He is a retired Colonel from the United States Army Reserve, having served for 30 years across various military branches. His educational background includes degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Claremont Graduate School.
Bryan Sisk, DNP, based in Houston, holds the position of senior vice president and chief nurse executive at Memorial Hermann Health System. He is affiliated with organizations such as the Texas Nurses Association and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and is recognized as a fellow by the American Academy of Nursing. Sisk also sits on the board of the Daisy Foundation and founded the Never Give Up Endowment for Veterans. He served in the United States Army for two decades. His academic credentials include nursing degrees from Arkansas Tech University and Northern Kentucky University as well as a Master of Public Health from Texas A&M University.
Candice Smith of Canyon leads Deaf Smith County Hospital District as its chief executive officer. She participates in disaster preparedness efforts through GETAC–Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee and Emergency Medical Task Force. Smith also serves on several boards including those for CASA in Deaf Smith County, Panhandle Regional Advisory Council, Amarillo College Advisory Board, and Hereford Day Care board. Her education includes nursing degrees from West Texas A&M University and University of Phoenix along with certification from the National Rural Hospital Association.
Cheletta Watkins, M.D., residing in Forney, works as Executive Medical Director for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. She maintains memberships with groups such as the American Board of Family Medicine, Texas Medical Association, Dallas County Medical Society, John Sealy School of Medicine Alumni Association, Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center board, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Dr. Watkins completed her undergraduate studies at UT Austin before earning her medical degree at The UT Medical Branch at Galveston where she also finished her residency.
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