The Texas Pediatric Member Spotlight exists to focus attention on the recent awards, promotions, degree completions, and appointments of TPS members.
August 2019
UT System names Dr. Ben G. Raimer interim UTMB President
The University of Texas System issued a press statement on August 15, 2019, announcing that Dr. Ben G. Raimer, Texas Pediatric Society President, will serve as interim president of UTMB while the Board of Regents launches a national search for a permanent president. Dr. Raimer, currently senior vice president for the Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs at UTMB, is a tenured professor in the departments of Pediatrics. Dr. Raimer has served as a TPS member for over 40 years. Currently, he serves on the TPS Executive Board and Executive Legislative Committee, and has served as a co-chair, and member on several TPS committees. TPS congratulates Dr. Raimer on his appointment. For more details please visit the UTMB Press Release.
May 2019
TPS member, Gary Floyd, MD, was elected Vice-Chair of the TMA Board of Trustees following the close of the TMA House of Delegates on May 18, 2019. He will serve with the TMA President, Dr. David Fleeger, on the Executive Committee of the TMA Board of Trustees.
TPS President Ben G. Raimer, MD lead the charges to East Texas Baptist University graduates of Christian Studies, Communication and Performing Arts, Nursing, and Professional Studies at their Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11th. Dr. Ben Raimer, a 1969 alumnus, and past ETBU board of trustee chair implored them to “journey with purpose.” To see the full article visit https://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/east-texas-baptist-university-confers-degrees-at-spring-commencement/article_57dd662c-743d-11e9-9561-c38d4649e75e.html.
April 2019
Midland pediatrician to retire after 33 years - TPS Member Samuel N. Macferran Jr., MD
The full artical can be found on the Midland Reporter-Telegram
Pediatrician Samuel N. Macferran Jr. and his family moved to West Texas in 1986 so that he could take a position with Drs. John Foster and Willie Clyde Watson III. This practice would grow to become Midland Pediatric Associates, the largest pediatric office in the area. Macferran’s career would flourish over more than three decades.
In the years that have passed since his training, many things have changed for Dr. Macferran, who is retiring at the end of June. Immunizations have become more prevalent and provide protection against more diseases.
“Vaccines and other advances pretty much eradicated many of the illnesses I was taught to treat,” he said.
These days, much of his time is spent on topics that didn’t get much attention during his training: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, gun violence and obesity.
Dr. Macferran’s passion is, and always has been, teaching.
“Every visit is an opportunity to teach,” he said.
He has a special interest in taking care of adolescents and is a proud member of the section on adolescent medicine within the American Academy of Pediatrics.
His advice to parents would be: “Remember to love your child at all ages, the good times and the bad, because we all thrive on love and you can't make time go backward.”
In the 33 years he has practiced in Midland, Dr. Macferran estimates that he has treated more than 50,000 patients.
“Every hug, picture drawn on paper, laugh, second-generation child, birth, graduation, wedding was important to me,” he said about his time in practice.
His compassion and skill will be sorely missed in the Permian.
TPS President Ben Raimer, MD and TPS Staff Kaitlyn Doerge, MSSW on Monday, April 8th, the Texas House and Senate recognized April 2019 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. TPS President, Dr. Ben Raimer, and staff Kaitlyn Doerge, MSSW, and other child welfare advocates in the House and Senate galleries to be recognized for their efforts in prevention. We appreciate Representative Tan Parker and Senator Royce West for their dedication to child abuse prevention and for providing the opportunity to be recognized with the child welfare advocacy community as part of this resolution.
March 2019
TPS staff welcomed Ryan Lowery, MD of UT Dell Medical School in Austin as the 1st intern for TPS’ Pediatric Trainee Advocacy Academy pilot project. Dr. Lowery worked with TPS Advocacy staff for 2 weeks during this legislative session to gain experience in advocating for children and pediatrics in Texas. TPS has plans to continue the Academy for future legislative sessions.
Charleta Guillory, MD, FAAP, TPS Board Member and TPS Co-Chair for the Committee on Fetus and Newborn, was awarded the President’s Cup Award at the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee of Federal Government Affair Conference in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 25. The President’s Cup Award is one of the most prestigious awards to be awarded nationally.
Guillory also has been picked as one of the recipients in the 2019 Women of Excellence awards, which celebrate individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to issues that affect women at Baylor College of Medicine or in the larger community. This award recognizes her meritorious academic accomplishments, commitment to the mission and vision of Baylor, as well as her direct teaching and evaluation, educational leadership, development of enduring educational materials and educational research. This award is the highest educational award made by the Baylor College of Medicine.
Marsha Griffin, MD, FAAP, received an Outstanding Advocate Award at the AAP Annual Leadership Forum in Illinois in March!
January 2019
TPS Congratulates Ryan Van Ramshorst, MD
TPS member Ryan Van Ramshorst, MD, has been appointed chief medical officer for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
He will help provide clinical oversight for Medicaid and CHIP programs in Texas. He also will help develop and carry out medical policies for these programs. Dr. Van Ramshorst who is excited about this new position. Dr. Van Ramshorst served as a TPS Board Member from 2012 to present and on the TPS Committee on Medicaid. In 2015 Dr. Van Ramshorst was the recipient of the Early Career Physician Award in honor of his dedication and service to TPS.
