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MEDICAL YEAR
MEDICAL YEAR
IN REVIEW
IN REVIEW

“This exceptional commitment demonstrates the collective impact Rodolfo Molina, MD, FACP, MACR, earned his Medical Degree and
groups like state societies can have by rallying around pertinent issues completed his Internship and Residency at the Baylor College of Medicine,
affecting their local communities,” said Foundation executive direc- and his Rheumatology Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School
tor Rachel Myslinski, MBA. “STAR’s commitment to supporting the of Medicine. He was the recipient of an U.S. Air Force Scholarship, and
workforce in Texas is unprecedented. We are grateful for their vision of during his nine years of active duty, he was Chief and Program Director
philanthropic support and for the opportunity to partner with them to for rheumatology in a pilot program with Walter Reed Army Medical
create an avenue to invest back in the rheumatology workforce in Texas.” Center. Dr. Molina is a Past-President and Founder of the State of Texas
According to the CDC, by 2040, the number of United States Association of Rheumatologists (STAR). He is retired from Arthritis
adults diagnosed with arthritis is projected to increase by 49 percent Associates in San Antonio, a former member of the Bexar County
to 78.4 million. The 2015 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Socioeconomic and Legislative Committee and Past-President of the
Workforce Study projected that by 2030 adult rheumatology providers Bexar County Medical Society.
(physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) will decline
by 25 percent in terms of full-time equivalents, resulting in demand Brian R. Loggins, BS, BBA, MBA, is the Practice Administrator at
exceeding the supply of rheumatology providers by 102 percent. Arthritis Associates in San Antonio, Texas. He is a co-founder of the
The State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists Fellowship State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists (STAR) and is currently
Training Award Endowment is funded from the income generated the CFO of STAR. He is a member of the National Organization
from STAR’s members’ registration and sponsorship fees for their of Rheumatology Managers, ARP of the American College of
annual meetings. The intent is to rotate the awards between the five Rheumatology, San Antonio Medical Group Management Association,
adult and or two pediatric rheumatology training programs in Texas and the Development Advisory Council of the Rheumatology Research
based on qualified applications received each year. Foundation.

Save the Dates for First Tuesdays at the Capitol

Brian R. Loggins, BS, BBA, MBA, and Rodolfo “Rudy” Molina, MD, FACP, MACR
The Texas Legislature meets every odd-numbered year for 140 consecutive days and will
The State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists convene again January 14, 2025. Legislators need to hear from you — their physician,
medical student and alliance constituents — during the session to understand how
Establishes a $2 Million Fellowship Training Awards proposed legislation can potentially impact the practice of medicine in Texas.

Endowment Fund for the Five Adult Programs in Texas Mark your calendar for 2025 First Tuesdays at the Capitol.
February 4
▪

By Rodolfo “Rudy” Molina, MD, FACP, MACR, and Brian R. Loggins, BS, BBA, MBA ▪ March 4 (TMA Alliance and Young Physician Month)
▪ April 1 (TMA Medical Student and Resident Month)
▪ May 6
he State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists (STAR) has STAR’s mission is to promote the highest quality, evidence-based,
created a $2 million endowment fund with the Rheumatolo- specialty care for patients with rheumatic disorders and to provide www.texmed.org/firsttuesdays
Tgy Research Foundation (RRF). This generous commitment cutting-edge education to members and the healthcare community at
establishes the State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists Fellow- large while promoting the advancement of the specialty of rheumatol-
ship Training Award Endowment, which provides financial salary sup- ogy in the great state of Texas.
port annually to one fellow at qualifying ACGME-accredited adult “We are thrilled to make this commitment to bolster the rheuma-
or pediatric rheumatology fellowship training programs in the state of tology workforce in Texas,” said Dr. Molina. “Making this investment
Texas. This endowment is intended to help address the rheumatologist to support future rheumatology professionals in Texas was an easy
shortage in Texas and elsewhere. decision. I’m delighted we could do it at this time due to the substan-
The State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists, STAR, was tial growth STAR has seen in membership and sponsorship.”
founded by Rodolfo “Rudy” Molina, MD, FACP, MACR in 2015 with At the annual American College of Rheumatology Conference in
the assistance of his practice administrator and STAR CFO, Brian R. Washington, D.C. in November 2024, the Rheumatology Research
Loggins, BS, BBA, MBA. Dr. Rudy Molina is also a Past-President of Foundation honored Dr. Molina and Brian Loggins by inducting them
the Bexar County Medical Society (2021). STAR’s current Board of into the Foundation’s Honorary Board of Advisors. According to the
Directors are: President, Prashanth Sunkureddi, MD; President-Elect, Foundation, “The Honorary Board of Advisors is reserved for indi-
Naser Elkhalili, MD; Treasurer, Jane Ayala, MD; and Secretary, Reeti viduals who have made a transformative contribution, either through
Joshi, MD. The Past-Presidents of STAR are Rudy Molina, MD; Alex monetary support and/or an act of leadership, which made an indeli-
Limanni, MD; Matthew Mosbacker, MD; and Fehmida Zahabi, MD. ble mark on the Foundation’s future fundraising success.”

30 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • December 2024 Visit us at www.bcms.org 31