FROM THE GOVERNOR

Abbott appoints seven to Texas Medical Board AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott appointed Mary “Kelly” Green, M.D. and reappointed Devinder S. Bhatia, M.D., Luisa del Rosal, James “JD” Distefano, D.O., Tomeka Herod, Robert David Martinez, M.D., and Jason K. Tibbels, M.D. to the Texas Medical Board for terms set to expire on April 13, 2031. The Board regulates the practice of medicine in Texas.

Mary “Kelly” Green, M.D. of Marble Falls is an eye surgeon and owner of a private ophthalmology practice. Green is a member of the Texas Medical Association, Burnet Llano Lampasas County Medical Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Marble Falls Education Foundation Board. Additionally, Green is an oral board examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, and a former volunteer with the United States Peace Corps in West Africa, where she taught physics and chemistry in French. The Governor appointed Green to the Texas Medical Board District Four Review Committee in 2024. Green received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Trinity University and a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Devinder S. Bhatia, M.D. of Houston is a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon based in the Houston area, with over 25 years of experience in the field. He is the founder and president of Southeast Texas Cardiovascular P.a. and is board-certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and is affiliated with multiple hospitals, including HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. He has also served as chairman of several hospital surgery departments and credentialing committees. He also served on the boards of various organizations, such as The Health Museum, Hermann Park Conservancy, the Harris County Sheriff’s Foundation, and the Houston Symphony. Bhatia received a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed his residency in general surgery at Baylor Affiliated Hospitals and pursued fellowships in cardiothoracic and peripheral vascular surgery at Carolinas Medical Center.

Luisa del Rosal of Dallas is an entrepreneur and the owner of Ever-Line Coatings Fort Worth Metroplex, a contributing columnist for The Dallas Morning News, and the Colin Powell teaching fellow and special advisor for the Southern Methodist University (SMU) John Goodwin Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs. She is chair of the Communities in Schools Dallas and founding member of the Texas Latino-Jewish Leadership Council. Del Rosal received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Higher Education Policy and Leadership from SMU.

James “JD” Distefano, D.O. of College Station is a board-certified physician at Cornerstone Sports Medicine and serves as a team physician for Texas A&M University Athletics. He is a member of the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association, American Osteopathic Medical Association, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, American Medical Society of Sports Medicine, Texas College of Sports Medicine, a physician consultant for the University Interscholastic League, and a volunteer physician for the Special Olympics, Concussion Oversight Team, and the Disaster Medical Assistance Team. He honorably served in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserves. Distefano received a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology from Northeast Louisiana University and a Doctor of Osteopathy from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Tomeka Herod of Allen is the president of The Wilkins Group, Inc. She is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Women in Cable and Telecommunications, and the American Association of Notaries. Additionally, she is the vice president of membership for the Northeast Dallas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a board member of the Parent Teacher Student Association, an ambassador chair for the DFW Area University of Houston Coog Moms, and an active volunteer with the Children’s Ministry at One Community Church. Herod received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Sam Houston State University, and a Master of Arts in Electronic Media from SMU, where she previously served on the alumni board.

Robert David Martinez, M.D. of Edinburg is a hospitalist physician and medical director at DHR Health. He is a member of the Texas Medical Association, Hidalgo- Starr Medical Society, Texas Alzheimer’s Association, and the Texas Workforce Solutions Board of Directors and former co-chair of the Ryan Gibson Foundation. Martinez received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and biology from the Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Medicine from UT Medical Branch in Galveston, where he also completed his internal medicine residency.

Jason K. Tibbels, M.D. of Bridgeport is a practicing family physician, who serves as the chief medical officer at Lantern, a Dallas based company delivering specialty care across the country, and he serves as the executive medical director for Solaris Hospice. Previously, he was the chief quality officer at Teladoc Health and is a recognized expert in quality in virtual care and was the president and co-founder for the Institute of Patient Safety and Quality of Virtual Care Patient Safety Organization. He is a member of the Texas Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. Tibbels received a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from the University of North Texas and a Doctor of Medicine from UT Southwestern Medical School.

These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

Abbott appoints four to State Board for Educator Certification AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott appointed Adam Booth and Tara Turk-Zaafran and reappointed Wanda “Jean” Streepey to the State Board for Educator Certification for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. Additionally, the Governor appointed Latisha Andrews to the board for a term set to expire on February 1, 2029. The board develops certification and continuing education requirements and standards of conduct for public school teachers.

Adam Booth of Leander is a third-grade teacher at Valor Education. Previously, he worked as an English teacher abroad and as a software developer. Booth received a degree in Political Economy from Hillsdale College.

Tara Turk-Zaafran of Houston is the former vice principal at ILM Academy. Additionally, she led the school’s interfaith program, which connects students at Houston-area Christian, Jewish, and Islamic schools. She actively works with Jerusalem Peace Builders and Interfaith Youth Houston. Turk-Zaafran was previously a chemistry and biology teacher at both public and private schools in Texas and Florida. Turk-Zaafran received a degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Miami Coral Gables and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. She is currently pursuing a third degree, a Master of Arts in Religious Education, at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Wanda “Jean” Streepey of Dallas is a high school business teacher for Highland Park Independent School District. She previously taught middle school math and STEM for sixteen years and represented Texas as a Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Streepey is a member of the Council of Presidential Awardees in Mathematics, the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, the National and Texas Councils of Teachers of Mathematics, and the National and Texas Associations of Math Teacher Educators. She is a former member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Association of Texas Professional Educators. She holds the Texas Master Math Teacher, Business and Finance, and Principal certifications. Streepey received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Latisha Andrews of Houston is the founder, CEO, and superintendent of Beta Academy Charter School. She is a board director of Texas Business Hall of Fame and an advisory board member at Houston Christian University. Andrews received a Bachelor of Theology from Texas Bible College, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Capella University.

These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

Abbott promotes bail reform at Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition Conference AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the need to fix Texas’ deadly and broken bail system and highlighted the continued state and local partnership to secure the border during the Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition’s 20th Annual Spring meeting in Austin.

“Sheriffs have been the brave law enforcement officers tasked with keeping their communities safe and secure,” said Governor Abbott. “From traffic stops to protecting neighborhoods to securing our border, you help Texans each and every day. It is time to get to work to tackle the deadly and broken bail system we face in Texas. Too many judges grant repeat offenders two, three, and 16 chances that they do not deserve. A problem that you must deal with as sheriffs. Whether it’s helping secure the border, patrolling the streets, or dealing with career criminals, sheriffs are the unsung heroes of law enforcement.”

During his remarks, Governor Abbott thanked Texas sheriffs for their dedication to ensure the safety of Texans and defend the state from the former Biden Administration’s border crisis. The Governor also noted the role that border sheriffs continue to play in Operation Lone Star, including helping seize enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman, and child in the United States, Canada, and Mexico combined. Additionally, Governor Abbott highlighted efforts to arrest thousands of dangerous criminals, including drug cartel members, human smugglers, and even criminals who murdered law enforcement officers.