BCMS Post-Session Legislative Mixer a Huge Success

Over 80 guests attended the BCMS 86th Session Legislative Wrap-up Mixer held on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Peripheral Vascular Associates (PVA) Main Avenue Medical Plaza in downtown San Antonio. A special thank you to PVA President of the Board, Demetrios Macris, MD and the PVA leadership team for partnering with BCMS to host and sponsor the Mixer. The Mixer was done as a post-Session thank you to all our state legislators to honor them and thank them for their time and attention to medicine’s issues during the recent 86th Legislative Session. Attendees enjoyed visiting with several members of the Texas Legislature, along with legislative and congressional staff members. Elected officials and staff members in attendance were: Sen. Pete Flores, District 19; Rep. Philip Cortez, District 117; Rep. Leo Pacheco, District 118; Rep. Steve Allison, District 121; Cynthia Cabral, Communications Director, Office of Sen. Jose Menendez, District 26; Clarissa Rodriguez, Chief of Staff, Office of Rep. Cortez; JD Pedraza, Chief of Staff, Office of Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, District 120; James Rodriguez, Communications Director, Office of Rep. Ray Lopez, District 125 and MaryEllen Veliz, Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director, Office of Congressman Lloyd Doggett, TX Congressional District 35.

During the event, Alex Kenton, MD, BCMS Legislative and Socioeconomics Committee Chair, offered remarks to attendees and stressed the importance of working with all members of the Legislature on behalf of all patients. Additionally, Dr. Kenton announced an upcoming new program, in conjunction with the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and TMA Alliance, First Tuesdays in the District. In a similar fashion as our First Tuesdays at the Capitol, beginning Oct. 1, we plan to rollout a series of meetings and activities with each of our legislators, that will take place here in San Antonio, in the districts - as a way to continue our dialog during the interim. Other county medical societies from around the state will also be participating in this new initiative. More details to follow in the coming weeks and months as meetings and activities are scheduled.

For local discussion on this and other legislative advocacy topics, consider joining the BCMS Legislative and Socioeconomics Committee by contacting Mary Nava, chief government affairs officer at mary.nava@bcms.org.