Governor Abbott Names Chair And Appoints Seven To Texas Physician Assistant Board
Governor Greg Abbott has named Jason Cooper as Chairman of the Texas Physician Assistant Board. Additionally, the governor appointed Victor Ho, MD, Jorge Martinez, Karrie Lynn Crosby, Clayton “Clay” Bulls, and Maribel “Monica” De Ponce to the board for terms set to expire on February 1, 2021. He also appointed Melinda Moore Gottschalk and Jennifer Clarner to the board for terms set to expire February 1, 2019, and February 1, 2017, respectively. The Texas Physician Assistant Board issues physician assistant licenses to qualified individuals to practice in the State of Texas.
Jason Cooper of Midland is the Director of Special Medical Programs for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Additionally, he has served as an Assistant Professor and as the Director of Clinical Education with the School of Health Professions. Mr. Cooper has practiced as a physician assistant in the Emergency Department and in Primary Care. He is a member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the National Association of EMTs. He is also a licensed paramedic and holds numerous EMS certifications. Mr. Cooper graduated with a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Texas Tech University Health Science Center. He is also an Eagle Scout and remains active as a Cub Scout leader with the Boy Scouts of America.
Victor Ho, MD of Houston is an emergency medicine physician at North Cypress Medical Center, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Altus Emergency Centers, Golden Triangle Emergency Center and Mercer Emergency Centers. He is also the founder and owner of Quality Emergency Services and Beaumont Emergency Medical Association, PLLC. He is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and American Academy of Emergency Medicine. He is an active member of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians, the Texas Association of Free-standing Emergency Centers, and the National Association of Free-standing Emergency Centers. He also serves as the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team Medical Director, where he is trained as an active member on a tactical unit. Dr. Ho received a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He also completed his residency in emergency medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he served as Chief Resident.
Jorge Martinez of McAllen serves as a Texas Field Director for The LIBRE Initiative. He joined The LIBRE Initiative as Project Coordinator for Faith-Based Initiatives in September of 2012, where he brought his promotions, marketing, management, and Faith background to the LIBRE team. While in college, Jorge became the founding president of the Christ-centered fraternity, Alpha Gamma Omega at Fresno State. He continues to be involved in his fraternity as an alumni, serving as the Expansion Director. He is a member of the McAllen Mayors Prayer Committee and the South Texas Youth Leadership Network. Martinez received a Bachelor of Arts in communication from California State University, Fresno and a Master of Public Administration from California Baptist University.
Karrie Lynn Crosby of Robinson is a physician assistant for Southwest Sports Medicine & Orthopedics at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest in Waco, Texas. Prior to her current position, she worked at the Baylor Scott & White – Hillcrest Hospital, East Texas Medical Center, and Longview Regional Hospital. She is a member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Crosby received a Bachelor of Science in physician assistant studies from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Texas-Pan American.
Clay Bulls of Abilene is a physician assistant in hospital medicine with Apogee Physicians at Abilene Regional Medical Center. He is also a physician assistant for Abilene Physician Group, where he is responsible for outpatient internal medicine care. Bulls is a member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants and American Academy of Physician Assistants. He holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Hospital Medicine through the NCCPA. Bulls received a Bachelor of Science in biology from McMurry University and a Physician Assistant degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Maribel "Monica" De Ponce of McAllen is a physician assistant currently practicing in gastroenterology at Gastroenterology Consultants of South Texas in Harlingen. She previously practiced in orthopedic surgery where she gained experience in total joint replacement and sports medicine. She worked as a certified Medical Technologist prior to becoming a physician assistant at Valley Baptist Medical Center and Valley Regional Medical Center. She is currently an active member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. She is also a member of the Texas Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy and the Rio Grande Valley Physician Assistant Society. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Texas at Brownsville. She was later awarded a second Bachelor of Science in physician assistant studies followed by a Masters of Physician of Assistant Studies from the University of Texas-Pan American.
Melinda Moore Gottschalk of Round Rock is a physician assistant specializing in Neurology at Baylor Scott & White Health. Previously, she served as an in-patient thoracic head and neck medical oncology physician assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She is a member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Gottschalk received a Bachelor of Science in physician assistant studies from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Jennifer Clarner of Austin is a lead physician assistant at Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons. She is certified by the National Commission of Certified Physician Assistants and a member of the Central Texas Physician Assistant Society and Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery. Clarner received a Bachelor of Science in medical technology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.