The Texas Medical Association has named Dr. Saurin Patel, chief medical officer at Access Physicians to its Committee on Physician Distribution and Health Care Access. The group studies the healthcare workforce and its impact on access while promoting healthcare careers.
“I’m honored to be appointed to this committee to be a part of vital work to analyze health care workforce trends and bring telemedicine as one solution to the forefront,” said Patel via release. “From my work with Access Physicians, I know firsthand how medically underserved areas can be transformed through the power of telemedicine. Increasing the number of specialists takes years, and that is time that underserved areas do not have. Telemedicine puts specialty care in those communities today.”
The committee analyzes the distribution of healthcare workers when compared to demographics and disease incidence, encourages practice opportunities in underserved areas, and targets minority students and those in rural areas to educate them about health careers.
“Dr. Patel embodies the values of service, leadership and clinical excellence that Access Physicians is founded on,” said Dr. Chris Gallagher, CEO of Access Physicians via release. “His contribution to the Committee on Physician Distribution and Health Care Access will be invaluable.”
Earlier this year, Patel was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, which is intended to provide rural areas increased access to broadband internet.
