Member Spotlight

The Texas Pediatric Member Spotlight exists to focus attention on the recent awards, promotions, degree completions, and appointments of TPS members.

May 2023

El Paso pediatric infectious disease specialist Gilbert Handal, MD receives the Texas Medical Association's highest award: Distinguished Service Award at TexMed 2023

It was just the fourth time that TMA’s Board of Councilors honored two people at once since the award was created in 1962. Dr. Fite, TMA’s 155th president, helped lead Texas through the COVID-19 pandemic during her tenure from 2020 to 2021, while TPS member Dr. Gilbert Handal has pioneered local, state, national, and international efforts to vaccinate and treat children.  

“We all felt Dr. Fite did an amazing job representing and leading TMA through uncharted territory when it came to the pandemic, while clearly Dr. Handal’s decades of dedication to medicine and leadership in advocacy also couldn’t be overlooked,” said board Chair Alisa M. Berger, MD, a College Station urologist. Read the full TMA article.

March 2023

New DFPS Medical Director

TPS board member and Committee on Foster Care Co-Chair Michal Pankratz, MD, FAAP announced new Medical Director for Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. We are proud of Dr. Pankratz's accomplishment!

Member Spotlights for Past Years

2022
2021

2020