HSC Leaders Tapped for AMA Leadership Positions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bailey-Colenda-AMA
July 14, 2004
Contact: John Holder (979) 458-0669
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
Office of Communications
Web address: http://tamhsc.edu
Health Science Center Leaders Elected to AMA Leadership Positions
Two leaders at The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center were recently elected to leadership positions in the American Medical Association (AMA). Susan Rudd Bailey, M.D., member of the A&M System Board of Regents and chair of the Regents’ Committee on Health Affairs, was elected to the AMA’s Council on Medical Education in mid-June. Bailey is also an alumna of the A&M Health Science Center’s College of Medicine and a Fort Worth allergist and immunologist. Christopher C. Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., dean of the A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, was named to the Governing Council of the AMA’s Section on Medical Schools.
The AMA’s Council on Medical Education formulates policy on medical education by recommending educational policies to the AMA’s House of Delegates, through the Board of Trustees. The Council is also responsible for recommending the appointments of representatives to accrediting bodies and to other national organizations.
Established in 1976 by the AMA’s House of Delegates to improve communication between practicing physicians and medical educators, the AMA Section on Medical Schools provides all U.S. medical schools with a voice in House of Delegates deliberations and a forum for discussing and developing policies on medical education and national health care issues.
Colenda said, “It’s a terrific honor to be elected by my peers to the governing council of the Section on Medical Schools of the AMA. We have much work to do, and along with Dr. Sue Rudd Bailey of our Class of 1981, the A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine is well represented nationally.”
“It is a great honor to have been selected by the AMA House of Delegates to serve on the Council on Medical Education,” said Bailey. “I believe strongly that the perspective of physicians in private practice is invaluable in helping the AMA oversee medical education at all levels.”
“Leadership skills and committed leaders are two of our Health Science Center’s exports,” said Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., president of the Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs. “Having two of our own in such important national roles will enhance the A&M Health Science Center’s impact on medical education nationwide. Improved quality of medical education was one of the two founding concerns of the AMA. I’m proud to have A&M Health Science Center voices continuing the work of excellence in medical education.”
Dr. Bailey has long been active in local, statewide, and national medical associations, beginning as a student when she was elected chair to both the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and AMA Medical Student Sections. She later served as chair of the TMA Young Physician Section. Dr. Bailey is serving her fifth term as speaker of the TMA House of Delegates, and is vice chair of the TMA delegation to the AMA. She also served as speaker for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Nationally, Dr. Colenda has served as chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Aging and Treasurer for the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. He was elected an Alumnus Member of Alpha Omega Alpha – Medical College of Virginia in 1999 and elected to the American College of Psychiatrists in 1998. Earlier this year, Dr. Colenda received the American Psychiatric Association (APA)’s prestigious Jack Weinberg Memorial Award for Geriatric Psychiatry, the highest award in the field.
The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach and research. Its five components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the School of Rural Public Health.
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