Summary

The Texas Health Services Authority (THSA) is developing health information exchange (HIE) strategic and operational plans for the State of Texas. The plans must be submitted to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology by September 27, 2010.

THSA History, Structure, and Board Membership

The THSA was created through House Bill 1066 in 2007 as a public private partnership, legally structured as a nonprofit corporation, to support the improvement of the Texas health care system by promoting and coordinating HIE and health information technology (HIT) throughout the state to ensure that the right information is available to the right health care providers at the right times. 

Vision

To enhance health care quality and effectiveness for all patients, the health care sector should be supported by an infrastructure made up of interoperable, electronic health records composed of standardized, structured data elements that are exchanged among authorized health care organizations and providers across secure regional and statewide networks.

Mission

The Texas Health Services Authority will promote and coordinate the development of a seamless electronic health information infrastructure to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of the Texas health care sector while protecting individual privacy.

Board Members

A 13-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Texas Senate governs the THSA.  The Board's president and staff oversee the THSA's daily operations.

Edward W. Marx
Chair

Mr. Marx of Euless is chief information officer of Texas Health Resources. He served in the U.S. Army and received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Colorado State University.

Kathleen K. Mechler
Vice Chair

Ms. Mechler of Fredericksburg is a registered nurse and co-director and chief operating officer of Texas A&M Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute.  She served in the U.S. Air Force and received a bachelor's degree and master's degree in administration from Texas State University.

Matthew Hamlin
Treasurer

Mr. Hamlin of Argyle is regional vice president of Quest Diagnostics.  He received a bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master's of business administration from George Washington University.

Alesha R. Adamson
Secretary

Ms. Adamson of San Antonio is a member of the leadership team at Open Health Tools. She served in the Oregon Army National Guard and received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in computer science and information assurance from Portland State University.

Fred Buckwold, MD, FACP

Dr. Buckwold of Houston is Vice President - Medical Affairs for Community Health Choice in Houston. He received a medical degree from McMaster University.  He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Quality Assurance and Utilization Review.

Raymond F. Davis

Mr. Davis of El Paso is employed by Perot Systems Corporation and serves as chief information officer at Sierra Providence Health Network. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.

David C. Fleeger

Dr. Fleeger of Austin is a surgeon at Central Texas Colon and Rectal Clinic. He received a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and a medical degree from Texas A&M University.

Donna Montemayor

Ms. Montemayor of San Antonio is senior director of pharmacy corporate operations for H-E-B.  She is a member of the Bexar County Pharmacy Association, Texas Pharmacy Association and University of Texas Pharmacy Alumni Association. She is also a member of the Texas Federation of Drugstores Board of Directors and National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and is chair of the H-E-B Good Living Expo. Montemayor received a bachelor's degree in from the University of Texas at Austin.

Judy Powell

Judy Powell of The Woodlands is a community volunteer and former chair of the Texas State Board of Professional Counselors. She received a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan College and attended the University of Tennessee for graduate studies.

J. Darren Rodgers

Mr. Rodgers of Dallas is president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, a master's degree in liberal arts from Duke University, a master's of business administration from Tulane University, and a master's degree in dispute resolution from Southern Methodist University.

Stephen Yurco

Dr. Yurco of Austin is a partner at Clinical Pathology Associates. He received a bachelor's degree and a medical degree from Northwestern University, and a master's of business administration from the University of Houston.

Dee F. Porter

Ms. Porter of Austin is chief operating officer of the Texas Department of State Health Services. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and attended the Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business. She serves as an ex-officio member on the board.

Adolfo Valadez

Adolfo Valadez of Austin is an assistant commissioner of Prevention and Preparedness Services at the Texas Department of State Health Services. He received two bachelor's degrees from the University of Texas, a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and a master's degree in public health from the Harvard University School of Public Health. He will serve as an ex-officio member on the board.