Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council

Background

House Bill (HB) 1874, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015 established the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council to assess the availability of patient-centered and family-focused palliative care in Texas. HB 1874 charges the council to consult with and advise the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcome evaluation of the statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program.

In addition, the council must submit a biennial report assessing

  • the availability of palliative care in Texas,
  • barriers to greater access to palliative care and
  • policies, practices, and protocols in Texas concerning patients' rights related to palliative care.

The Council published its first report on Oct. 1, 2016. The Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council is codified under Chapter 118, Texas Health and Safety Code.

Annual Continuing Education Events

Since 2017, the PCIAC has hosted annual live continuing education events on various palliative care related topics to provide continuing education credits to interdisciplinary SPC professionals. These live webinar events are typically held in November and are free to the public. Please email Palliative_Care@hhsc.state.tx.us if you are interested in receiving notifications about upcoming continuing education events.

Upcoming Meetings:

  • May 2, 2023
  • August 24, 2023
  • November 9, 2023

Note: The above dates are tentative

Members

Physician Representatives

  • Larry Driver, MD, Houston
  • Robert Fine, MD, Dallas
  • Amy Moss, DO, Grapevine
  • Gary Gross, MD Tyler
  • Joshua Reed, Do, Abilene
  • Kelly Klein, MD, Lubbock
  • Dianna Yip, MD, Austin

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Representatives

  • Heather Paterson, MS, RN, Dallas
  • Erin Perez, Chair, DNP, AGNP-MSN, San Antonio

Physician Assistant Representative

  • Daniel Tamez, Edinburg

Nurse Representative

  • Carol Cates, RN, Tyler

Social Worker Representative

  • Stephanie Broussard, MSW, Dallas

Pharmacist Representative

  • Currently soliciting for pharmacy representative

Spiritual Care Professional Representative

  • Jerry Fenter, Beaumont

Advocate for Patients and Families Representatives

  • Jennifer Carr Allmon, MA, Austin
  • Hattie Henderson, Vice-Chair, MD, Houston
  • Bhavani Madisetti-Vemireddy, JD, Round Rock
  • Nancy Jackson, Gainesville

Ex-Officio Members

  • Karen Hardwick, PhD, Texas Health and Human Services Commission , Austin

For Additional Information

Email Palliative_Care@hhsc.state.tx.us