Following the latest developments in health governance, Governor Greg Abbott has taken steps to consolidate the battle against Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) with new and reappointed members to the state's advisory council. Abbott's office announced the appointment of four new members and the reappointment of eight existing members to the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council, whose terms will end on August 31, 2025. This council is at the forefront of advocating for and informing the commission, along with the legislature on the crucial matters of research, diagnosis, treatment, and education pertaining to PANS.
The individuals singled out for this honor possess an array of skills and come from a diverse mix of professional backgrounds. Among the new appointees, we have Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., from Houston, who juggles time between her duties as an integrative psychotherapist and her responsibilities as a professor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Miller's commitment extends beyond the university halls, with affiliations including the Texas Counseling Association and the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Physicians Network, among others, as noted by the official announcement. Nexstar Media Inc.'s associate general counsel, Martha Shoultz, another appointee, leverages her legal expertise and work with the State Bar of Texas and her co-founding role at Partners for Ethical Care to contribute to the cause.
Barry Smeltzer, from Boerne, carries with him 12 years of experience as the owner and practitioner at Healing Provisions, and he also offers his talents as an adjunct professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Melissa Smith of Bushland brings a nursing perspective as a school health specialist, and her association with the Texas School Nurses Organization and National Association of School Nurses reflects her commitment to health education. Governor Abbott's office highlighted the broad expertise these individuals bring to the council, focusing on a multi-disciplinary approach needed to address the syndrome's challenges.
Reappointed members like Qazi Javed, M.D., a psychiatrist at Integrative Psychiatry-Austin, and Suzanne Gazda, M.D., a neurologist at the Neurology Institute of San Antonio, ensure continuity in the council's work. Each, with their profound medical backgrounds, have laid down roots in their practices and bring a wealth of knowledge to the advisory group. Javed, a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and Gazda, a member of the Texas Medical Association (TMA), embody the medical community's relentless pursuit of therapeutic and diagnostic advancements. This reappointment also serves as recognition of their ongoing contributions, and an acknowledgment of the ongoing urgency, that PANS, which affects a child's cognitive and neurological functions, represents within public health discourse.
