Meet TAFP's 2025 candidates for office
President-Elect: Adrian Billings, MD, PhD, FAAFP
Dr. Billings, of Alpine, is the Chief Medical Officer of Preventative Care Health Services FQHC in the Big Bend, the Associate Academic Dean of Rural and Community Engagement and Senior Fellow of the F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He has been a career long rural community physician along the Texas-Mexico border of West Texas. Dr. Billings is passionate about enabling rural-born and educated students’ opportunities to enroll in health care training programs.
Why I want to serve: I am interested in serving as an officer in TAFP to advocate for our patients, colleagues, and the communities we serve. After practicing in the rural and medically underserved Big Bend, I wake up every morning thinking about how to improve access to care for our patients and communities. Advocacy, or practicing medicine outside the walls of our health care facilities, is an important duty that I have been called to, and I hope to impact multiple pillars of social determinants of health in my work. Dr. Paul Farmer’s quote, “Our most significant professional accomplishments in life will be done in partnership, as a team,” helps ground me in the importance of health care collaborations in improving patients lives and public health in our communities.
Treasurer: Puja Sehgal, MD
Dr. Sehgal is a practicing family physician in Houston, Texas. After finishing medical school in India, she completed her internship at Wichita Falls Family Medicine Residency Program and residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She joined Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, a multispecialty ACO, in 2007 and is currently the Chief of Family Medicine Department at Kelsey-Seybold and an elected board member of Kelsey Seybold medical group. She is past president of the Harris County chapter and has served on various committees and councils during her 20 year membership with TAFP. She previously chaired the Section on Special Constituencies as well as vice chaired the Council on Medical Practice. She served on the TAFP board in 2020. She has mentored residents for TAFP’s Resident Leadership Experience program and was awarded the Breakthrough Women 2022 by Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud mom of three kids.
Why I want to serve: I truly believe that expanding family medicine is the answer to improving access to health care in this nation. TAFP gives us a voice and platform to advance the specialty and advocate for payment reforms for family physicians so that they are fairly compensated for the value and not the volume. Our physicians should have access to resources and technology to improve efficiency and decrease burn out. Our practices are as diverse as we are and our needs may be different but our goals are similar. Collaboration and coordination with payers, other stake holders, and multiple specialties can impact our practices positively. TAFP is uniquely positioned to assist all of us. With my knowledge, commitment, and efforts, I strive to work diligently with fellow physicians in improving health of our patients and communities and ensuring a joyful, rewarding practice for doctors.
Parliamentarian: Lane Aiena, MD, FAAFP
Dr. Aiena is a family medicine doctor in Huntsville, Texas. After completing his undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University, he attended medical school at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and his residency in Conroe, Texas. He has been practicing at Huntsville Family Medicine since 2017. He is a two-term at-large member of the TAFP Board of Directors, former New Physician Director for the Board of Directors, serves as the chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Young Physician Section, and serves on the Walker County Hospital District Board. Dr. Aiena is also the President of the Walker–Trinity County Medical Society. Previously recognized with the TAFP Public Health Award and as Walker County Citizen of the Year, he is dedicated to leadership, advocacy, and improving patient care in his community and across Texas. He hosts the popular local radio segment “Thursday Morning House Call,” promoting health education and strengthening the physician–patient relationship.
Why I want to serve: I want to serve as Parliamentarian on the TAFP board to help advance TAFP’s mission of supporting family physicians and improving access to care across Texas. As a rural physician, I’ve seen firsthand the barriers patients and doctors face, from workforce shortages to resource gaps. I am committed to representing those voices while working collaboratively to strengthen our specialty statewide. By serving, I hope to advocate for practical solutions that ensure every community, urban and rural alike, has the family medicine support it needs. I want to help TAFP empower physicians, promote sustainable practice models, and keep patient care at the center of all our efforts as we navigate the evolving health care landscape together.
At-Large Director: Donald Niño, MD, FAAFP
Donald R. Niño, MD, FAAFP was born in Houston and obtained his BSEE in biomedical engineering from Rice University. He received his medical degree from McGovern Medical School in Houston. He completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Medical Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. He opened his solo family medicine practice on the east side of Houston in 1986. He has volunteer faculty appointments with McGovern Medical School and Fertitta Family Medical School at the University of Houston. He was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of McGovern Medical School in 1999. He was selected as the Texas Family Physician of the Year in 2001 by the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. He is on the Board of Trustees of the HCA Hospital Southeast and is a Certified Healthcare Trustee. He is still working full time as an employed physician with HCA at Channelview Family Medicine.
Why I want to serve: I have been involved with TAFP since my medical school days. I have seen how the work of the Academy has affected family medicine in Texas and how that has helped all of our patients. I have been involved in and chaired many committees and commissions and have been on the board in the past. I have been looking forward to taking my turn as a leader of the Academy so that I can help serve my fellow family physicians and improve the health of the citizens of Texas. Each of us should want to work with the Academy to help keep family medicine strong in Texas, and in America, so that every citizen can have access to the best care anywhere, at their family doctor's office.
At-Large Director: Tina Philip, DO
Dr. Tina Philip is a solo practice family physician in Round Rock, Texas. She has a long history in organized medicine and currently serves as Immediate Past President of the Travis County Medical Society and Vice Chair of the TMA Council on Socioeconomics. She has previously served as Chair of the TAFP Council on Medical Practice and Chair of the TMA Women Physicians Section. She has a particular interest in development and promotion of female leadership in organized medicine and the preservation of independent medical practice. She is the proud mom of three young boys and embracing the role of “soccer mom.” When she is not chasing the kids around, she plays clarinet in a local community band.
Why I want to serve: I strive to move family medicine forward. In my past roles, I have been interested in increasing member engagement and creating a pipeline of leaders in organized medicine, which is particularly important in our specialty. One of my biggest strengths is being a people connector. I am skilled at identifying complementary individuals and bringing them together to accomplish goals. I am also skilled in leading groups with many different personalities. My experience at the state level puts me in a position to be able to advocate for family medicine. I am a solo practice owner. While that is not unique, it is becoming increasingly rare with each passing day. I would love the opportunity to serve the TAFP in this capacity.
Advocate for Diversity and Health Equity: Amanda Mohammed-Strait, MD, FAAFP
Dr. Amanda Mohammed-Strait is a board-certified family physician passionate about community health, HIV/AIDS advocacy, and health equity. She earned her medical degree from Ross University and completed residency at UT Southwestern/Parkland Hospital in Dallas. She holds a Diploma in International Medicine and Public Health and is pursuing a Health Literacy Certificate. She serves as Community Health and Engagement Lead Physician at Oak Street Health in Southeast Dallas and sits on its Health Equity Advisory Council. She is active in TAFP and on several statewide health committees. Dr. Mohammed-Strait leads Walk with a Doc Dallas and serves on the Young Professionals Advisory Council for the HIV/AIDS Resource Center. Her recognitions include TAFP Humanitarian of the Year (2021) and D Magazine’s Best Doctors (2023–2025).
Why I want to serve: I want to serve as the Advocate for Diversity and Health Equity because I believe representation and equity are critical to improving patient outcomes and building trust in healthcare. As a Black woman physician caring for underserved communities, I’ve seen how bias, limited access, and health literacy gaps deeply affect health outcomes. This role is an opportunity to uplift the voices of marginalized patients and providers, promote inclusive practices, and advocate for policy changes that reduce disparities. My work in health advocacy, community engagement, and public health has prepared me to lead with empathy and purpose. I’m committed to advancing equity so that all communities — regardless of background — receive the respect, dignity, and care they deserve.
New Physician Director: Zach Sartor, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Zachary Sartor, MD, MPH, FAAFP is a family medicine physician with Waco Family Medicine Residency, serving as Associate Program Director for Curriculum and Evaluation. He is also board-certified in addiction medicine, serving as the Director for Primary Care Addiction Medicine at Waco Family Medicine. He received a BS in Chemistry from Baylor University and MD from Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine. Dr. Sartor also completed family medicine residency training at Waco Family Medicine and an academic development fellowship at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. Dr. Sartor recently completed an MPH through the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he was named a Bloomberg American Health Initiative scholar in the addiction and overdose focus area. He has been active with TAFP since 2016, serving on the Council on Health of the Public and completing the FMLE program in 2021.
Why I want to serve: I'd be honored to serve on the TAFP board of directors to help shape the future of our specialty in Texas. My work at Waco Family Medicine, focusing on graduate medical education and behavioral health integration initiatives, reflects my commitment to innovation and advancement of family medicine. Through my fellowship at Johns Hopkins focused on addiction and overdose, I’ve deepened my understanding of public health and systems-level thinking, which I hope to bring to TAFP’s mission. I’m particularly passionate about supporting fellow physicians, especially residents and recent graduates looking to put down roots in family medicine in Texas. TAFP has so much to offer, and I'm excited to contribute to TAFP's efforts by serving as New Physician Director.
Resident Director: Jose Rincon, MD
Dr. Jose Rincon is a family medicine resident at DHR Health in McAllen, Texas. He completed his medical degree at La Universidad del Zulia in Venezuela, where he served multiple terms as class representative. Passionate about sports, he has practiced baseball, soccer, and martial arts. As a resident, Dr. Rincon has taken on key leadership roles within the institution — first as Resident Chair starting in his intern year, and now as Chief Resident. He is recognized for his dedication to medical education, advocacy, and team-based care. Driven by his lifelong love for athletics and musculoskeletal medicine, Dr. Rincon is pursuing his dream of becoming a sports medicine physician in the coming year.
Why I want to serve: I want to serve to be a voice, source of support, and a bridge for my fellow residents. As someone who trained abroad and now works in a rural area, I understand the unique challenges and strengths that international medical graduates bring to underserved communities. I want to highlight the positive impact that physicians like me can have in improving access to care, building trust, and addressing health disparities in these populations. My goal is to contribute to the continued growth and recognition of family medicine as a vital specialty. Through advocacy, leadership, and collaboration, I hope to help improve the health and quality of life of our patients while supporting the next generation of family physicians.
Student Director: Brittany Uebbing
Brittany Uebbing is a fourth-year medical student at the UNT Health Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth, Texas. Originally from Round Rock, she completed her undergraduate studies in biochemistry and business at UT Austin before moving to Jacksonville, Florida for her gap year. In Jacksonville, she served as a maternal health care coordinator in the National Health Corps — AmeriCorps and grew her passion for maternal health and working with refugees. During medical school, she led a free primary care clinic for refugees at a local apartment complex. Outside the city, she has served on one medical mission to Guatemala and five to West Texas. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, dance cardio, and playing the flute.
Why I want to serve: I want to serve as a TAFP board member to voice the concerns of my peers and recruit students to join this diverse and rewarding specialty. TAFP has provided many wonderful opportunities for me to learn about family medicine — I want to continue doing the same and more for future students. As a ROME rural scholar, I rotated in rural communities and learned firsthand the disparities they face. While serving in Perryton, I identified a disparity in access to prenatal care for Guatemalan patients. My AAFP-ELI project culminated in an outreach event and the creation of the Texas Pregnancy Medicaid Toolkit to reduce barriers to prenatal care. I will use this platform to continue advocating for rural Texas and advancing maternal care for all families.
AAFP Delegate: Emily Briggs, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Emily Briggs, MD, MPH, FAAFP has been a board certified family medicine physician in New Braunfels, Texas since 2009. She provides full-scope family medicine services, including operative obstetrics. Dr. Briggs received her medical degree in family medicine as well as a master's degree in public health from the University of Texas at Houston HSC. She has a longstanding history of actively serving with AAFP, TAFP, AMA, and TMA. Currently she serves as Delegate for the American Academy of Family Physicians to the AMA, Delegate to the TMA House of Delegates for the LGBTQ Health Section, and recently completed her service as President then Board Chair of TAFP. She remains a tireless advocate for women’s health issues and underserved and marginalized populations. Dr. Briggs remains active in her local community, including implementing a teen health summit. She is the TMA 2021 Young at Heart Award recipient and was recently awarded an honorary fellowship by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Briggs enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, exercising, and creating music in her spare time.
Why I want to serve: I am a consensus builder. However when necessary, I will stand up for the interests of our members. Like you, I am asked who is taking care of my patients while I am here at TAFP. I am. Together we are taking care of the future of our patients ... here. We represent the interests of our patients and we are the voice that unifies our fellow physicians. Please allow me the opportunity, the honor, to represent you to the AAFP Congress of Delegates. Thank you.
AAFP Alternate Delegate: Janet Hurley, MD, MBA, FAAFP
Dr. Hurley is the Director of Physician Practice Operations for CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, where she has gained extensive expertise in clinic operations, population health, associate health, and pharmacy procedures. A 2000 graduate of Texas A&M College of Medicine, Dr. Hurley completed her family medicine residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler in 2003. She is a former Board Chair and Past President of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, having contributed to the organization through service on a wide range of commissions, committees, and task forces. Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Hurley is married with two adult children and teaches a young adult Sunday school class. Her personal passions include hiking and writing.
Why I want to serve: After completing my tenure as TAFP president and board chair in 2019, I expanded my leadership involvement at the national level, serving as vice-chair of a dynamic member interest group and as a member of the AAFP Commission on Quality and Practice. Over the past five years, I’ve built strong relationships with other state delegates and have consistently attended the Congress of Delegates at my own expense, where I’ve testified on key resolutions and worked to build consensus. I genuinely miss being part of TAFP’s physician leadership and would be honored to serve you once again, this time as Texas alternate delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates.