Governor Greg Abbott has appointed four new members to the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council. The appointees are Clifford Porter, M.D., Ph.D., Bryan Sisk, DNP, Candice Smith, and Cheletta Watkins, M.D. Their terms will last at the Governor’s discretion.
The Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council is responsible for studying and developing strategies to support a strong health care system and workforce in Texas.
Clifford Porter, M.D., Ph.D., from Austin, is a physician at Texas Direct Medical Care and serves as a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He previously belonged to the Free Market Medical Association and the Christian Medical & Dental Association. Porter volunteers on medical mission trips with local churches and retired as a Colonel after 30 years in various military branches. His education includes degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Claremont Graduate School.
Bryan Sisk, DNP, based in Houston, is senior vice president and chief nurse executive at Memorial Hermann Health System. He is affiliated with several nursing organizations and serves on the board of the Daisy Foundation. Sisk also founded the Never Give Up Endowment for Veterans and served in the United States Army for two decades. He holds degrees from Arkansas Tech University, Texas A&M University, and Northern Kentucky University.
Candice Smith of Canyon is chief executive officer of Deaf Smith County Hospital District. She participates in disaster preparedness committees and serves on several local boards related to health care and community services. Smith’s educational background includes studies at West Texas A&M University, University of Phoenix, and certification from the National Rural Hospital Association.
Cheletta Watkins, M.D., from Forney is an Executive Medical Director for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. She holds memberships in several professional associations including the American Board of Family Medicine and Dallas County Medical Society. Watkins also serves on community health boards and graduated from UT Austin before earning her medical degree at UT Medical Branch at Galveston.
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