Waco, Texas (FOX 44) – A new president of the Texas Medical Association marks a historic milestone for Waco and the broader medical community.

Bradford Holland was sworn in over the weekend as President of the Texas Medical Association, now leading one of the state’s most influential medical organizations.

“I’ve been practicing as an otolaryngologist or ear, nose, and throat surgeon in Waco, Texas, and surrounding areas since 2002,” Texas Medical Association’s President, Bradford Holland explained. “So, coming up on my 24th year of practice and have been active in organized medicine and the parts of medicine that deal with medical policy and health policy for most of that time.”

For the first time since 1968, a Waco physician is leading the Texas Medical Association. Holland, now president, says he’s frustrated with the current state of patient care and wants to see change.

“I think physicians need to stand up for patients and give us a way out, and we do have ways to reform the system,” Holland expressed. “We need to get back to physicians being the one folks that care for patients, and the patient-physician relationship is really what we should base our whole system on. So we talk about patient-centered care, but that’s not what we have today, and I think that’s really what we need.”

Holland’s appointment highlights his commitment to patient care and the growing impact of Waco healthcare leaders across the state.

“We have many challenges here in Texas from a health standpoint, and we’ve had some health scares with measles outbreaks, some folks that aren’t covered, and coverage is a real problem,” Holland said. “So Texas has its own challenges, but we’re also very proud of our organization that’s there to try and preserve the health of all Texans and fight for patients.”

Holland says his experience in Waco, including strong relationships with state leaders, will help him effectively represent physicians across Texas.

“We realize that when you work with legislators, you can make a difference and achieve reform,” Holland emphasized. “So that’s what we hope to do on a statewide basis, is help this coming legislative session and really try and make some changes both in insurance fraud in terms of coverage and payer parity. And just in fairness, that will really help patients.”

Since being sworn in, Holland says fixing prior authorization is a top priority, adding Texas’s “gold card” system should help reduce barriers, but isn’t working yet.

“That should ease the burden of prior authorizations, but it’s still not working yet,” Holland stated. “So if we can get that system working, that will ease the barrier. But I also want to see us start to offer physicians aid to combat the idea that saying no is putting our claims together and use aid to help us get things approved, and that will help patients.”

Holland’s achievement is a point of pride for the city and a stronger voice for Central Texas in the future of medicine.

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