February 2022
From the CEO: A Passion for Strengthening Health Care in Texas
It's said that a "joyful heart is good medicine." I wholeheartedly (pun intended) agree and personally find joy in being grateful. I am incredibly grateful for our staff, TETAF Board of Directors, surveyors, TETAF committee members, our hospital partners, Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), and so many others who have a strong passion for strengthening health care in Texas. As Steve Jobs once said, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." It truly makes my heart happy to know that TETAF is privileged to work with all of you in our efforts to have a world-class health care system in Texas.

As we enter American Heart Month, it is important that we recognize heart health and the risk factors that are associated with heart disease and stroke, including high blood pressure. Every four minutes, someone dies from a stroke. There is much more we can do to prevent strokes. TETAF is committed to helping our hospital partners provide quality stroke care to patients in Texas with hopes that we can improve these devastating statistics.

Our passion for what we do means a full February that includes a busy month of surveys, the quarterly TETAF Board of Directors meeting, providing educational opportunities, the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC) meeting, the Texas Trauma Coordinators Forum meeting, the Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC) meeting, more TETAF Advocacy Committee meetings to prepare for the convening of 88th Texas Legislature in January 2022, and sponsoring the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies 2022 Virtual Summit. We are fortunate to live in a world with virtual capabilities that allow us to safely meet and conduct business as COVID-19 cases continue.

Thank you for all that you do to strengthen trauma, stroke, and emergency care in Texas. Your efforts make a difference in the lives of Texans.


Stay well,
Dinah
TETAF News
Next TETAF Board of Directors Quarterly Meeting on February 8
The next quarterly meeting of the TETAF Board of Directors will be Tuesday, February 8. This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom.

TETAF hopes to resume in-person board meetings in May. Visit the TETAF website for updates on upcoming board meetings.
Dr. Joseph Petty Appointed to TETAF Board of Directors
In January, the TETAF Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Joseph Petty, M.D., FACOG to the board. Dr. Petty will serve for the remaining year of a three-year term held by a former board member who resigned due to a change in employment.

Dr. Petty is the medical director for maternal program and OB hospitalists at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital in Humble. He also serves as the medical director for BCFS Healthy Start Tyler and is the co-chair of the Quality and Patient Safety Committee for the Society of OBGYN Hospitalists (SOGH). Dr. Petty is also a member of the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC) Perinatal Committee and is a member of the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies (TCHMB) OB Committee.

Dr. Petty's term will end in December 2022. Learn more about all members of the TETAF Board of Directors at https://tetaf.org/board-of-directors/.
DEADLINE APPROACHING: Submit Your Interest to Join a TETAF Committee
If you are looking for a way to serve in 2022, please consider submitting your interest in serving on one of TETAF's five committees.

TETAF seeks interested stakeholders who are dedicated to committing the necessary time for participating on a committee. The time involvement varies from committee to committee. 

Advocacy Committee - This committee works with TETAF and its Board of Directors on legislative issues relating to trauma, stroke, maternal, and neonatal care. 

Finance/Audit Committee - The Finance/Audit Committee works with TETAF, its treasurer, and the Board of Directors to provide an independent review of TETAF's finances. 

Survey Verification Committee - This committee works with TETAF and its Board of Directors on matters relating to the survey verification process and the surveys TETAF conducts.

Governance Committee - The Governance Committee works with TETAF and its Board of Directors on issues relating to board governance, including providing board member nominations to the Board of Directors. 

Education Committee - This committee works with TETAF and its Board of Directors on issues relating to educational opportunities for TETAF to provide.

If you are interested in participating in one of these committees, please complete the form linked below by Thursday, February 17 at 5:00 p.m.  
Texas Trauma and Acute Care News
GETAC Council Meeting Moved to March, Committee Meetings in February
The next quarterly meeting of the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC) has been moved to March 11. The committee meetings will be held in February as follows:

Wednesday, February 9
9:00 a.m. - Disaster Preparedness and Response 
10:30 a.m. - Pediatric 
1:00 p.m. - Injury Prevention and Public Education 
2:30 p.m. - Stroke 
4:00 p.m. - Air Medical and Specialty Care Transport

Thursday, February 10
9:00 a.m. - EMS Education 
10:30 a.m. - Emergency Medical Services 
2:30 p.m. - Trauma Systems 
4:00 p.m. - Cardiac Care

The meetings are also streamed via Microsoft Teams. For more information, please visit the GETAC webpage.
In the News
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