Governor Greg Abbott has taken steps to reinforce the Texas Medical Board District Two Review Committee, making several key appointments aimed to bolster the group's expertise. As announced in an official statement released by the Governor's office, Dr. Penelope Duke was appointed to a term ending January 15, 2028. In addition, Dr. Tejas Ozarker and Kristen Cox have been brought on board with terms expiring January 15, 2030, and Robert Simonson, D.O., was reappointed to continue his service on the committee.
Dr. Duke, hailing from The Woodlands, brings extensive experience from her private practice in anesthesiology. Her credentials to absolutely ensure the quality include her status as a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and her active membership in both the Texas Medical Association and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. According to the Governor's announcement, her educational background is solid with both a Bachelor of Arts and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, supplemented by her residency and fellowship at The University of Texas Southwestern.
Alongside Duke, Dr. Tejas Ozarker, representing Denton County, steps in as a medical director and an interventional pain physician, showcasing his medical acumen through his leadership at Riordan Medical Institute and Tarpon Interventional Pain and Spine Care. His combined expertise in both the medical and business spheres is evident from a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University, as well as from his advanced training that was completed at the University of Pennsylvania and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.
The appointments also recognize the leadership outside traditional medical practice, as demonstrated by Kristen Cox. Serving as president and CEO of Checkpoint Services, Inc. and 12th Man Technology, her business acumen is well established. Her contributions to public service are notable, with her 12-year tenure as a gubernatorial appointee on the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, as well as her roles within various charitable and business organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from UT Dallas, rounding out the diverse skill sets among the appointees.
Lastly, the reappointment of Robert Simonson, D.O., suggests a vote of confidence from Governor Abbott. Simonson boasts a rich background in emergency medicine, which he will continue to bring to the table as chair of emergency medicine at Methodist Dallas Medical Center and as an associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. His previous governance experience on the Review Committee and on the Texas Medical Board itself, coupled with his Bachelor of Science from Texas Wesleyan University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, makes him a fitting candidate to seamlessly fulfill his role on the committee.
