ASA Member Appointed to Texas Medical Board and Named President

On January 13, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) appointed Sherif Zaafran, M.D. to the Texas Medical Board, and named him Board President. ASA congratulates Dr. Zaafran on this honor and applauds his continued service to the profession.

A longtime member of ASA, Dr. Zaafran Chairs ASA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Out-of-Network Payment and serves as a member of both ASA’s Committee on Governmental Affairs and Committee on Future Models of Anesthesia Practice. Within the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, Dr. Zaafran is the Assistant Treasurer and Chairs the Government Affairs Committee.

Dr. Zaafran completed both medical school and his residency at the University of Texas at Houston.

The Texas Medical Board is comprised of 19 members. One other Texas physician anesthesiologist, Scott Holliday, D.O., M.B.A., serves as a board member.

Physician anesthesiologists presently serve on medical and osteopathic boards in over half the states. State medical and osteopathic boards are extremely important administrative agencies and physician anesthesiologist representation is essential. Regulatory bodies have oversight of medicine and other health professions such as nursing, dentistry and insurance. Physician anesthesiologist involvement on these boards helps others understand the importance of the patient centered, physician-led anesthesia care team and medical specialties like pain medicine.

Congratulations Dr. Zaafran for your incredibly valuable contribution to patient safety in Texas!