AI Analyzes Data, but Whole-Person Care Still Matters

Feature Article

By Nelumdini Samaranayake, PhD, Assistant Professor
Department of Medical Education and Health Systems Science at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, UNT Health Fort Worth

Sponsored by Robert Bunata, MD

This article was originally published in the July/August 2026 issue of Tarrant County Physician.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer something discussed only as the future of medicine; it is already part of everyday healthcare practice. From documentation and ambient scribing to decision-support tools, AI is increasingly integrated into the workflows physicians use each day. In many ways, these technologies are improving efficiency, reducing administrative burden, and helping clinicians manage growing amounts of clinical information. This article reflects the rapidly changing developments and evidence available as of May 2026.

As this technology continues to evolve in healthcare, an important question emerges: how will AI—and how should AI—influence the way clinicians think and make decisions? AI excels at identifying problems, processing vast amounts of data, detecting differences that might otherwise go unnoticed, and offering insights faster than any human could.

Cardiologist and author Eric Topol notes in Deep Medicine that, as technology becomes more capable of handling technical tasks, it may create more space for human-centered care in healthcare.¹ While AI has the potential to support broader clinical insight and decision-making, human interpretation and communication, along with the ability to understand a patient’s real-life circumstances, cannot be fully replaced by technology.

What AI Does Not Fully Capture
What AI often struggles to capture is the bigger picture surrounding the patient.
Although newer AI systems are increasingly capable of analyzing conversational, behavioral, and contextual information, the challenge has shifted from simply processing data to meaningfully understanding the broader context of an individual’s life and circumstances. AI may detect patterns in speech, documentation, and other data sources, but it does not experience a patient’s circumstances firsthand. Family concerns, cultural influences, financial realities, and unspoken worries often require human interpretation and meaningful conversation to fully understand. These factors can be difficult to measure, and even when represented in data, they may not always be recognized within the context of an individual patient’s life.

As AI becomes more integrated into care, there is a growing risk of overly narrow clinical thinking, where complex human conditions are interpreted primarily through structured data. A patient can gradually become a set of variables rather than a person with a story. While this may improve efficiency, it can narrow clinical reasoning in ways that are not immediately obvious.

When Data Does Not Tell the Whole Story
This becomes particularly relevant in educational discussions when considering a patient with poorly controlled diabetes. An AI tool may appropriately highlight lab values and suggest adjustments to the treatment plan. From a data standpoint, that recommendation makes sense. However, even when social, cultural, and environmental factors are available, understanding how they influence a patient’s daily life can be more complex. Access to food, cultural dietary practices, health literacy, transportation barriers, financial constraints, and social support may affect whether a recommendation is realistic, acceptable, or sustainable for an individual patient. While AI may increasingly incorporate such information into its analyses, determining how these factors shape a patient’s choices and circumstances often requires human judgment, conversation, and shared decision-making. Without that broader understanding, even the most evidence-informed recommendation may not work effectively in practice. This is where thoughtful integration becomes important. AI should be viewed as a tool. Although powerful, it remains a tool. It is not the decision-maker, and it does not carry responsibility or accountability. Those responsibilities remain with clinicians. The concern is not the presence of AI itself, but how increasing reliance on these tools may skew clinical reasoning over time.

Trust in AI is not only a technical challenge but also a legal one. Recent healthcare AI discussions published in JAMA have highlighted that regulatory and accountability frameworks are still evolving, leaving important questions unanswered regarding accountability, oversight, and liability when AI-supported tools contribute to errors or patient harm. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare decision-making, establishing clear standards for accountability will be essential for maintaining public trust.²

The Responsibility Still Belongs to Us
We are already seeing AI embedded in documentation workflows, particularly through the use of ambient scribing technologies. These tools can generate clinical notes, summarize encounters, and even suggest language for patient communication. They may reduce administrative burden and allow physicians to spend more time interacting directly with patients, which is a meaningful advancement. However, their use also requires careful clinical judgment and oversight. There have been situations in which AI-generated outputs were shared with patients without being fully reviewed or validated. In some cases, information that appeared to represent a diagnosis or clinical conclusion created confusion or unnecessary distress when it had not been carefully verified by the responsible physician. These moments are not failures of technology alone; they are reminders of how easily shortcuts can influence communication and clinical interpretation. They reinforce an important point: anything generated by AI must be reviewed, interpreted, and confirmed before it is shared with a patient. This includes not only the accuracy of the information itself, but whether it is appropriate for the situation and whether the patient has been adequately prepared.

Clear communication and informed patient consent are not optional steps; they are essential components of care. AI does not remove that responsibility; it reinforces it.

Why Clinical Judgment Matters More
As healthcare environments become increasingly influenced by AI, the role of the clinician becomes more important. AI should not come first in the clinical process. Instead, it should come after an initial, patient-centered assessment. First, we engage with the patient; we listen, observe, and begin to understand their story. Then we form an initial impression grounded in both data and human interaction. Afterward, AI may be used to expand or challenge that thinking. This sequence matters because it preserves clinical reasoning while allowing AI to serve as a cognitive support tool rather than a directive force. This approach helps keep clinical decision-making focused on the patient rather than solely on algorithmic output. Equally important is maintaining a mindset of critical evaluation.

AI systems are not perfect. They can generate highly confident responses that are incorrect, particularly when built on biased, incomplete, and non-representative data. They may produce outputs that appear highly credible but lack important context or accuracy. In those moments, the clinician must be willing to pause, question, and reassess. This is not about distrust, but responsibility. The presence of AI requires us to think more carefully, not less. It challenges us to ask better questions: Does this output align with what I am seeing? What might be missing? What does the patient’s situation reveal that the data does not? These are the questions that protect against over-reliance and preserve sound clinical judgment.

Looking Ahead
The role of AI in medicine goes beyond technology. It influences how clinicians think, how decisions are made, how information is presented, and how care is delivered. As AI continues to grow within healthcare, it brings both valuable opportunities and new responsibilities.

The benefits are promising. AI can assist clinicians in processing information, recognizing patterns within datasets, and highlighting details that may otherwise go unnoticed. When used thoughtfully, these tools can strengthen clinical assessment and support decision-making without replacing professional judgment. But the risk is less visible. If we are not careful, AI can narrow our thinking. Clinical attention can gradually shift toward structured data while real-life circumstances receive less consideration. Over time, this can influence how patients are understood and how decisions are made.
This issue is not rooted solely in AI. In many ways, the outcome depends on how thoughtfully these tools are incorporated into clinical care. It also creates an opportunity to shape how future clinicians think about AI—not as a shortcut or an answer engine, but as a tool that requires interpretation, reflection, and responsibility. We can guide this use of AI to strengthen clinical reasoning rather than weaken it. AI may assist with information analysis, but medicine continues to rely on human interpretation, empathy, and trust. Medicine is not defined by competing with machines in processing data. That is not where our value lies. It is in the human qualities that machines cannot replace. We understand nuance. We interpret context. We recognize emotion. We build trust. We see the patient not as a set of data points, but as a person with a life, a story, and circumstances that matter.

AI may assist in clinical decision-making, but accountability, interpretation, and patient care remain human responsibilities. While AI can analyze data, clinicians are still responsible for seeing the whole person. AI is already a part of everyday medicine; now the question is how AI will shape the way we think, decide, and care.

References

Eric Topol, Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again (New York: Basic Books, 2019).
Michelle M. Mello and I. Glenn Cohen, “Regulation of Health and Health Care Artificial Intelligence,” JAMA 333, no. 20 (2025): 1769–1770, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2831831.

Let’s Talk About Money: Understanding Physician Practice Structures

TCU Student Article

By Prisca Mbonu, MS-IV

This article was originally published in the January/February 2026 issue of Tarrant County Physician.

During my medical school’s Preparation for Practice course, we examined the multidimensional aspects of the medical profession, which included everything from the business of medicine to health equity, patient safety, public health, and communication. One session, titled “Health System Structure and Why It Matters,” stood out as particularly interesting. In this session, we explored the complexities of health systems, such as the features, incentives, and organizational models that influence physician practice structures. We examined the advantages and disadvantages of various models from the perspectives of both physicians and patients, delving into topics such as compensation structures and the trade-offs of different practice settings.

There are various paths for physicians to consider when choosing their practice structure. Private practices offer autonomy but come with financial risks and administrative burdens. On the other hand, hospital or health system employment provides stability and resources, but often at the cost of clinical independence. Payer-owned practices emphasize cost-effective care but may create ethical tensions due to insurance policies, while corporate-owned practices promise growth and potential equality but can impose pressures to meet financial targets. Corporate entities like health plans, venture capital investors, private equity firms, and large employers are also rapidly acquiring physician practices, outpacing hospital ownership and fundamentally reshaping the employment model.¹ By 2022, 26.4 percent of physician practices were owned by corporations, compared to 27.2 percent owned by hospitals.² This shift is a game-changer both for how physicians practice and how patients receive care.

Physicians also have the option of working within nonprofit, for-profit, government-owned, or academic medical centers, each offering distinct advantages. Nonprofit institutions purport to prioritize community service while reinvesting surpluses into patient care and public health. For-profit institutions may emphasize efficiency and profitability, often with the goal of expanding services or increasing shareholder returns. Government hospitals emphasize serving specific populations, such as veterans, while academic centers integrate patient care with education, research, and innovation. Evidently, these organizational models encompass substantial variation in governance, incentive structures, and day-to-day clinical realities, requiring physicians to navigate differing priorities as they define their professional identities.

It is important to note, however, that the stated missions and structural principles of these practice and ownership models do not always reflect how organizations operate in practice. Considerable overlap and, at times, incongruence exist across settings. For example, nonprofit and academic centers may face financial pressures that shape productivity expectations and revenue-driven strategies, while for-profit or corporate-owned practices may support high-quality, mission-driven care despite profit-oriented frameworks. These dynamics are often influenced by broader market forces, regulatory constraints, leadership, and other contextual factors.

As a medical student preparing for my future, I find myself grappling with several important questions: Which organizational structure aligns best with my values as a physician and an individual? Should I work for someone else, or would I prefer to be “my own boss”? What will financially benefit me as a physician? How will my work-life balance be affected, especially as a woman considering starting a family? How will these choices impact my autonomy, how I’m able to practice my ethical values, and the care I can provide to patients? These questions loom large and require a great deal of nuanced thought. While I don’t yet have all the answers, I am grateful for the opportunity to begin to reflect on these questions as I plan my career trajectory.

In a world where medicine is increasingly intertwined with business, we can no longer shy away from conversations about compensation and career structure. Many of the physician-led panelists at the session emphasized how essential this knowledge is—something they wish they had received earlier in their training. For medical students who will likely graduate with substantial student loan debt, these conversations also carry important financial implications. Overall, the course session on health system structures provided insights into the diverse organizational and financial models shaping both our future careers and patient care. Understanding these options is crucial in helping us determine not only how we want to work, but who we want to be as physicians and individuals.

References:

AHA Center for Health Innovation, Evolving Physician-Practice Ownership Models: Implications and Considerations for Hospitals and Health Systems, Market Insights Report (2021), https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2020/02/Market_Insights_MD_Ownership_Models.pdf
Dailey, Eliza, and Sarah Roller. “Implications of the New Era of Physician Employment: 2023 Update on the Physician Landscape.” Advisory Board. April 1, 2023. Updated May 12, 2023. https://www.advisory.com/topics/physician/2023/04/a-new-era-of-physician-employment

TCMS Committees and Programs Review: Find Your Passion and Join Us in Making a Difference in Medicine

Feature Article

By TCMS Staff

This article was originally published in the January/February 2026 issue of Tarrant County Physician.

There are a variety of reasons that doctors choose to join TCMS; usually, new members will point to one defining thing that encouraged them to get involved. Perhaps they view our advocacy as critical, or they believe that we provide important networking opportunities. Maybe they wanted help with billing or more extensive chances for leadership roles. But whatever reason brought them here, when doctors choose to actively participate in the society, they find there are many more reasons to be part of TCMS than the one that drew them in the first place.

So here is our committees and programs review, your chance to learn of the opportunities that lie before you. We have a number of specialty committees and programs you can participate in, and we encourage you to join the one you find most compelling to use it as a springboard for upping your impact on medicine.

Allied Health Scholarship Committee
TCMS and its members, in partnership with TCMS Alliance, have an exciting opportunity to support the education access of allied health students through the Allied Health Scholarship Committee. This committee awards scholarships to qualified undergraduate students in Tarrant County who are actively enrolled in allied health training programs. It meets three times a year to discuss the applications received, choose the preliminary interviewers, interview the chosen candidates, and then decide on what amount is given to each final scholarship recipient. A student is also chosen to receive the Murphy Award—the largest monetary amount of all the scholarships offered—named after the donor, James A. Murphy, MD.

In 2025, the committee awarded $49,400 to students based on financial need and scholastic achievement. This was divided between 17 students from four different Tarrant County colleges and universities—all of whom we believe will make a big impact on the patients of Tarrant County with their future careers! We look forward to 2026 and the opportunity to meet and connect with even more schools, shaping the future for allied health students in our county. To get involved or get more information, contact Melody Briggs at mbriggs@tcms.org.

Board of Advisors
Each month, our executive committee meets to discuss the highlights of the healthcare community, the progress on TCMS projects, and goals for the future. When you participate with the Board of Advisors, you have a chance to get a full picture of TCMS and its role in Tarrant County, including its partnership with public health, emergency services, medical schools, residency training programs, charitable organizations, and local community leaders. This gives you a front-row seat in the efforts made to advocate on behalf of physicians
This monthly gathering is open to member physicians, residents, students, and other healthcare personnel. For more information on attending, email Melody Briggs at mbriggs@tcms.org.

Ethics Consortium
The Ethics Consortium meets monthly and is a diverse, non-partisan group of people interested in healthcare and ethics. Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of the diverse communities that make up North Texas by assisting in the application of ethical values to current healthcare issues through educational programming and advocacy efforts that encourage civil conversation and dialogue.

Healthcare in a Civil Society is an annual forum that seeks to engage leaders of varying perspectives in a civil conversation that focuses on the healthcare issues that are important to our community and is devoid of the rhetoric that often undermines these conversations in the media. This year’s event focuses on caring for the whole patient and takes a close look at where spirituality and the delivery of care intersect. The event will include a breakout session for audience participation and engagement and a panel discussion featuring leaders from various sectors to further the conversation. If you are interested in joining or would like more information on the Ethics Consortium, call TCMS at (817) 732-2825.

Legislative Committee
The Legislative Committee works to build the critical relationships necessary for effective medical advocacy. Though the committee certainly participates in the First Tuesdays at the Capitol events during the legislative session, it is also committed to fostering relationships with legislators and educating them on the issues year-round. In addition, for physicians who would like to get involved but feel unsure about talking to legislators themselves, it’s a great opportunity to build the knowledge and skillset to be a powerful advocate on behalf of your patients and your practice. You are surrounded by expert advocates! Members of the committee also make up a ready response team for issues that may arise between sessions, allowing TCMS to quickly navigate legislative challenges. For more information about the Legislative Committee and its goals, contact Brian Swift at bswift@tcms.org.

Committee on Physician Health and Wellness
The TCMS Committee on Physician Health and Wellness (PHW) promotes the health and well-being of physicians, recognizing that physicians are at least as vulnerable, if not more, to issues of substance abuse (including alcoholism) and mental disorders as their patients. The committee supports the early recognition, evaluation, and treatment of physicians with these conditions, and their monitored recovery. As part of this, the committee supports the work and activities of the Texas Physician Health Program and the Texas Medical Board.
The function of the PHW Committee is three-fold: 1) to promote physician health and well-being; 2) to ensure safe patient care by identifying physicians who may have potentially impairing conditions; and 3) to advocate for physicians while maintaining confidentiality and the highest ethical standards.

As advocates, the committee members help with interventions, referrals for evaluation and treatment, if necessary, and monitor attendees upon their return from treatment. It supports widespread education for physicians, family members, and support staff regarding possible impairments.

Through the TMA PHW Assistance Fund, financial assistance is available to physicians who cannot afford treatment for depression, chemical dependency, or other problems or whose families need short-term living expenses while a physician receives treatment. Donations to the fund are appreciated and are tax-deductible.

Our local committee consists of physicians who have special interest and experience in supporting those who are struggling, and it is available to consult with individuals and institutions locally that have questions or problems in this area. For more information about how you can participate or receive assistance, contact Kathryn Keaton at kkeaton@tcms.org.

Project Access Tarrant County
Project Access was formed in 2011 to facilitate surgical and specialty care to low-income, uninsured residents of Tarrant County who do not qualify for county or other resources. Since then, PATC has coordinated over $22 million in donated healthcare services, helping thousands of patients access life-changing and life-saving treatment.

Physician volunteers partner with PATC by seeing a limited number of patients in the comfort of their own office and in the course of their normal clinic day. Volunteers determine how many patients they are able to accept each year, and surgery is scheduled at facilities where volunteers have existing privileges. All care coordination including hospital and ancillary services is provided by Project Access staff so the physicians can focus on providing care.

PATC’s highest areas of need are general surgery, breast surgery, gynecology, orthopedic surgery (hips and knees), and pulmonology; although all specialties are always welcome. By volunteering with PATC, physicians play a critical role in improving health outcomes for patients who would otherwise go without care, while strengthening the health and well-being of our local community.
You are invited to learn more about how your expertise can make a meaningful difference—on your terms, within your existing practice, and with full support from the experienced PATC team. To learn more, contact Kathryn Keaton at kkeaton@tcms.org.

Publications Committee
The Publications Committee meets bimonthly to review submissions for TCMS’s journal, the Tarrant County Physician. All TCMS members are welcome to submit articles for consideration. The committee is devoted to selecting content that is meaningful to our readers—the medical community throughout Tarrant County.

We are incredibly grateful not only for our bimonthly authors, but also for those who write feature articles. From topics spanning the practice of medicine and legislative issues to anecdotes about historical figures and unique excursions, many TCMS members have shared their interests through articles that were published in the journal. The committee members give a resounding “Thank you!” to all contributors, and they have two requests: send in more submissions and consider joining the committee. The only way the journal can successfully represent all TCMS physicians is if members from different backgrounds and experiences write about the things that are meaningful to them, and joining the team that reviews content allows you to augment the voice of your fellow physicians in a powerful way. If you are interested in joining the Publications Committee or submitting an article for review, please contact Allison Hunter at editor@tcms.org.

Women in Medicine Committee
The TCMS Women in Medicine Committee’s goal is to promote networking and collegiality and present ideas and solutions for issues specifically affecting female physicians in Tarrant County. Now several years into its formation, the committee’s events have provided platforms for empowering and educational speakers, round tables, and CMEs. And from time to time, mixers, soap making, and yoga have made the itinerary! To join the think-tank behind these events, contact Brian Swift at bswift@tcms.org.

We hope you found one or more groups that grabbed your attention. And if you’re still unsure, don’t worry! Click this link, mark the topics you find interesting, and we will send you more information about committees or programs where you can make a difference doing the things you care about.

A DO Dilemma

TCOM Student Article

By Jared Sloan, OMS-II

This article was originally published in the January/February 2026 issue of Tarrant County Physician.

January to February can be a tough time for many people: The air is cold, holiday street lights are taken down, New Year’s resolutions are abandoned, and osteopathic medical students are deciding whether they want to take double the amount of national licensing exams. While taking the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Steps 1 and 2 is not a new expectation of osteopathic students, recent changes, including the formation of a single accreditation system, which fully merged the previously separate osteopathic and allopathic residency accreditation pathways in 2020, as well as the transition of STEP 1 to pass/fail scoring, have left many students scratching their heads and biting their nails at the thought of even more high-stakes exams. Early in their education, students are forced to make a career-defining choice: Should I take both the DO and MD licensure exams if it improves my residency outlook?

Since 1995, osteopathic students have taken the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) as their primary means of gaining licensure. With the large overlap in content between COMLEX and the USMLE (the main difference being the inclusion of osteopathic-specific content), many professional medical societies have stated that the COMLEX is a perfectly acceptable alternative to the USMLE. However, this decision truly lies with individual residencies. Typically, osteopathic students who take STEP do so because it is required for the residencies they are interested in. But for the many year-two students who have not decided on a specific specialty, myself included, this decision is far from simple. Although many of my classmates and I are drawn to specialties that are historically “DO-friendly,” we are also aware that there is still much of medicine we have yet to experience. Many students don’t discover the field of medicine they are passionate about until their clinical rotations, but we must decide to take STEP 1 before we ever step into those roles. Students feel that by choosing not to take STEP they are closing doors to future programs before they even know about them. Many feel it is wiser to “play it safe” by taking the extra licensing exam. At the heart of this dilemma is the tension between what is technically sufficient for licensure and what is perceived as necessary to remain competitive across an increasingly uncertain residency landscape.

Unfortunately, students seeking mentor guidance on this matter often hear conflicting opinions from faculty and experienced osteopathic physicians. With the advancement of the osteopathic profession, many mentors insist that students should not feel pressured to take unnecessary exams. Others concede that, while COMLEX is becoming more accepted, there remains a very real preference for the STEP exams. Students are left with ambiguous answers and are told what they already know, namely, that choosing to take the extra exam depends on what specialty they are interested in.

How does the new pass/fail status of STEP 1 impact this predicament? Now that allopathic schools emphasize STEP 2, should second-year students feel free to skip the stress of STEP 1 and take STEP 2 only if they feel it is necessary? Yes, and some do exactly that. Many, however, are terrified by the idea of taking what feels like the most important test of our lives without taking its predecessor. While the core competencies of COMLEX and USMLE are similar in many ways, it is well known that there are differences in the style of writing and focus areas between the exams. With so much riding on STEP 2, students continue to feel pressured to prepare as best they can, which includes taking STEP 1.

Regardless of which licensure a medical student takes, almost all students would agree that these exams are hard. Fatigue, stress, and financial cost all increase when students choose to take more national boards. I know that I, and many students, worry how this increased burden will impact our performance. Taking an extra exam means risking failure on our core licensing exam or risking failure on an exam that was never necessary in the first place. Ultimately, we as medical students are high achievers, and many of us are willing to put in this extra work if it means more opportunities in the future.

Despite numerous residencies stating that they will review a COMLEX Level 2 score under the single accreditation system, students remain keenly suspicious that STEP 2 functions as a silent requirement. DO students are left wishing that our standard licensing exams were fairly considered but realize there is no way to enforce a fair consideration of COMLEX. Looking ahead, many osteopathic students are hopeful for one of two future outcomes. The first possibility is that the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) could move toward standardization with the USMLE (potentially by accepting a unified licensing exam supplemented by osteopathic-specific assessments). However, given the NBOME’s longstanding commitment to a distinct osteopathic licensure pathway, this outcome appears unlikely. What feels like the more plausible future is that COMLEX scores will become more routinely considered by residency programs as familiarity increases. While this shift may already be underway, it will take time to fully materialize. As a result, although future osteopathic students may ultimately face fewer barriers, for the foreseeable future, many cohorts will continue to navigate a residency application in which the expectation of STEP remains firmly in place. As I look toward my future, I see a wide range of possibilities, possibilities that may quietly close if I choose to ignore this silent requirement.

The Poison, the Clouds, and the Clearing: Mindfulness in Medicine

BY SETU SHIROYA, MS-II TCU , WITH NEHA SOOGOOR, MS-II TCU; EDITED BY JAYESH SHARMA, MS-II TCU

Breathe in. Breathe out.

It is my first day in the clinic. My heart is racing in my white coat that I have little confidence wearing. My anxiety skyrockets, as do my feelings of not belonging.

What if my attending doesn’t like me? What if I make a mistake? What if my patient starts crying? How do I do a lung auscultation again? What does losartan do?

I can’t remember. I can’t think.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I have been studying the whole day, my career-defining board exam is in one week, my head is throbbing, my eyelids are drooping. I am clicking through flashcards but nothing sticks. The days are merging into one; someone asked me for the day of the week, and I came up blank.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Only one year into medical school, and everything feels like a dream. I’ve made it so far, yet the future seems so daunting. I love my life but also fear it at the same time. I want to keep going. I’m excited, but I’m nervous. Where am I in my life? Do I even belong here? Am I the only one thinking this?

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I say it to myself over and over again—my thoughts have been spiraling for days. I need to breathe. I need to calm down.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I do belong here. I’ve made it so far in this journey; the hard work, the endless hours were not in vain. There is so much more to go and I remind myself that I am excited. I just need to take it one step at a time.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I am going to be present for patients. I will be a doctor. One step at a time.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

The rampaging thoughts settle, my mind clears, and I open my eyes.

It’s going to be okay.

The morning alarm rings, and my first thought is always the same: “Can I sleep for five more minutes and not think about the long day ahead?” I have stressful exams to take and sometimes dread the workload awaiting me. It feels like the only quiet time I get is in the morning, when I am drinking coffee, working out, or just embracing the quietness. I try to find time to relax, but burnout feels like it is always looming over my shoulder. However, mindfulness and meditation have helped me reorient myself and develop a healthy way to process these feelings.

What does it truly mean to be mindful? To me, mindfulness is staying grounded to what is in the present moment. It can be easy to think of the past or try to anticipate the future. However, the only inevitability we hold is this present moment. Not a second before, not a second after.

How can we practice this? Mindfulness comes in many forms; some find relief in running or weightlifting, making it a point to have a constant regimen at the gym. Others find it through meditation, focusing on breathing and relaxing the mind. These share one commonality: a mental space we create where we stop thinking about the past or trying to anticipate the future, focusing instead on what is present within and around us. There isn’t one answer to seeking mindfulness; the greatest difficulty lies in knowing where to begin.

As medical students and future doctors we are expected to quickly calm ourselves after these stressful moments and proceed. Sadhguru, a guru who is the founder of the Isha Foundation, states: “Fear, anger, resentment, and stress are poisons you create in your mind. If you take charge of your mind, you can create a chemistry of blissfulness”.1 It is especially easy in a hectic and high-paced environment or period of life to get lost in our thoughts about the stressors we experience. Our thoughts are like clouds. We can either let them pass, or we can dive into them. Taking control of our mind to let the clouds pass, helping our mind become still and focus on the present, is difficult.

This is where meditation techniques can help train our mind. Meditation techniques often involve bringing awareness to a single action or sound. For example, they can be used to bring awareness to your breathing or the repetition of a few words. One method I use is called “4-7- 8 breathing.” Close your eyes. Breathe in for four seconds through your nose. Hold your breath for seven seconds. Breathe out for eight seconds through your mouth. As you inhale, stay aware of how the air flows through your body, from the tip of your nose to your navel. As you exhale, follow the air out from your navel to your mouth. Repeat this about two to three times.

At TCU Burnett School of Medicine, our Meditation and Mindfulness Student Interest Group aims to educate medical students about techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing and help them stay engaged in healthy mindful practices to avoid burnout. Our goal is to cultivate a supportive student community dedicated to mindfulness, fostering connection through monthly meditation sessions, inspiring physician guest speakers, and meaningful community volunteering.

It is going to be okay.

My mother always told me, “Take it one step at a time, one day at a time.” As medical students, we’re often exposed to patients and situations that can take an emotional toll on our mental well-being; times such as witnessing a patient’s death or delivering a life-shattering diagnosis. Before we can process what we’ve witnessed, we’re often thrown back into a fast-paced environment without a moment to rest. In such a high intensity life, grounding ourselves with activities that bring comfort and ease becomes crucial to our mental well-being. My hope is that we future physicians can practice mindfulness early, so that we can be present for our patients. In turn, we can help our patients be mindful as we work together throughout our most difficult moments to maintain healthy behaviors.

References:

1. Sadhguru Quotes – Fear, anger, resentment, and stress are poisons you create. If you take charge, you can create a chemistry of blissfulness within yourself. Accessed February 13, 2025. https://isha.sadhguru.org/en/wisdom/quotes/date/december-06-2021

Introducing MATRIX: Medical Assessments and Tools for Inclusive Xperiences

By Kathryn Keaton

IN 2019, TEXAS HEALTH RESOURCES Foundation announced a new series of grant cycles: the Texas Health Community Impact grants. These grants are available to five regions, with specific focuses for each county based on their most recent Community Needs Assessment.

These two-year awards are made to local organizations that work collaboratively to serve specific zip codes and address health disparities and socioeconomic hardships in innovative ways. Past Tarrant projects funded include community gardens, mental health access, and culinary job training.

For the 2025–2026 grant cycle, the Foundation awarded $5 million to 18 projects across North Texas. Project Access Tarrant County is honored to be among these recipients for a total award of $385,662 over two years.

Partnering with Cornerstone Assistance Network (CAN) and Mission Arlington, the project will utilize enhanced technology, education, and a shared employee to affect radical change in the care of patients with diabetes and/or hypertension in five target zip codes: 76010, 76011, 76104, 76105, and 76119.

We are proud to introduce our project, MATRIX: Medical Assessments and Technology for Inclusive Xperiences.

The Project

Since PATC offers specialty medical and surgical care, our clinic partners are vital. Most patients come to PATC from a referral made by primary care, and those who do not are required, with PATC’s assistance, to establish a connection with primary care.

CAN and Mission Arlington are among PATC’s founding partners. Both clinics serve as medical homes. CAN serves mostly patients in Fort Worth (MATRIX target zip codes 76104, 76105, and 76119), and Mission Arlington serves mostly Arlington patients (MATRIX target zip codes 76010 and 76011). Combined, PATC, CAN, and Mission Arlington provide a spectrum of primary and specialty/surgical care.

Community Health Worker

The single biggest innovation with MATRIX is the addition of a Community Health Worker (CHW). And not just a CHW—but a shared CHW. Once this individual is hired, they will travel between PATC, CAN, and Mission Arlington, having “office hours” at each location. While some patients will meet with the CHW at the PATC office, most will have appointments at their primary care clinic—a place and location where they have an existing relationship and feel comfortable.

The CHW’s activities will be tailored to each patient. The CHW may assist with one-on-one diabetic or hypertension education, help with access to prescription assistance, arrange transportation to diabetic eye exams, or complete hospital paperwork for PATC surgeries. The cadence will vary, but each patient will have individual appointments with the CHW. In total, Cornerstone plans to serve 100 patients and Mission Arlington plans to serve 750 in this manner. CAN’s and Mission Arlington’s aim is that 65 percent of all patients with hypertension will have blood pressure readings below 140/90 and that 68 percent of all patients with diabetes will have an A1c below 9 by the end of the grant period.

Education

A recent Tarrant County Physician article briefly mentioned that a TCU medical student chose PATC as her site to complete her Scholarly Pursuits and Thesis (SPT) project.1,2 Alex Koehl, MPH, MS-I at TCU, brings her public health expertise to PATC in creating a series of classes pertaining to social determinants of health (SDOH) common to PATC patients.

The first class will occur in late March. This class will empower patients to ask questions to understand their disease and treatment and to speak up if they do not understand their instructions. Patients who are seen pro bono often feel that they do not have agency to advocate for themselves and ask questions, leading to confusion and misunderstandings that eventually cause non-compliance and a lack of resolution of their health condition. The MATRIX grant allows for meals and incentives, encouraging attendance. The series will be facilitated in both Fort Worth and Arlington. Future topics include how to open a bank account (sometimes required for hospital charity applications), how to read a prescription bottle, and how to navigate a patient portal.

Technology

Enhanced technology will answer some of the barriers we face with our patients. We recently received a separate grant that will cover the cost of CareMessage, a messaging platform for safety-net organizations to “increase access to care, improve clinical outcomes, and address social drivers of health.”3

CareMessage will allow PATC to schedule appointment reminders (that include the address with a Google map link!), respond in real-time to questions or concerns, and generally allow for texting instead of playing phone tag. In addition, CareMessage can automatically translate any message into one of dozens of languages, meaning that any PATC staﬀ member can communicate with any patient regardless of language proficiency.

CareMessage will not replace PATC’s personal touch—all initial contact and important information will be relayed by telephone. But for simple reminders and questions where a yes- or-no response is needed, a phone call is generally not necessary.

While the messaging feature is an exciting progression in PATC’s day-to- day operations, CareMessage can go much deeper and is vital to MATRIX’s future success.

CareMessage has several preloaded educational text series. Stephen Pullman, MS-I at TCU, has also chosen PATC as his SPT site. Stephen is vetting existing diabetes and hypertension modules. In addition, as training progresses, Stephen is documenting ideas for future education modules that we can create. By the conclusion of his project, we will have multiple avenues for patient education on both preventative care and chronic conditions.

The survey element is also vital to Alex’s project. With CareMessage, patients will complete pre- and post-surveys for our SDOH classes, measuring the attendees’ level of understanding before and after the material that can be reported to the Texas Health Community Impact Grant project management team. We will also use this for participant feedback to improve future curricula.

As with all innovation, this project will have adaptations, enhancements, and changes over the course of the next two years; but we know that the future is bright. With the THR Foundation’s endorsement, the collaboration with two historic partners, and the opportunity for enhanced technology, by the end of this grant period, significant change and improvement will be affected. We look forward to keeping you updated as MATRIX continues to progress.

References:

Kathryn Keaton, “Project Access Tarrant County: Growth in 2025,” Tarrant County Physician, January/ February 2025, 21–22.
“Scholarly Pursuit and Thesis: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU: Fort Worth, Texas,” Burnett School of Medicine at TCU, June 17, 2024, https:// mdschool.tcu.edu/empathetic-scholar/ scholarly-pursuit-and-thesis/.
“Patient Engagement for Improved Health Equity,” CareMessage, February 4, 2025, https://www.caremessage.org/.

ALLIED HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTED TO 17 STUDENTS

The Tarrant County Scholarship Committee grants scholarships for allied health students.

Tarrant County Medical Society (TCMS) and TCMS Alliance Foundation’s Scholarship Committee awarded 17 estimable students a total of $36,250.

Every year, the Scholarship Committee meets to review Allied Health Scholarship applications. As the final selection process, the Committee interviewed finalists to learn more about each individual’s story and why they are pursuing a career in allied health. Its aim is to award qualifying students in financial need to aid them in their educational and professional careers.

“Making the road easier for even one person has many rewards, but to be able to provide scholarships to several people is beyond gratifying,” said TCMS Alliance Foundation President and Scholarship Committee member Debbie Massingill. “Many students come from non-medical backgrounds. You are giving them a ‘you’re doing great’ when many have heard ‘you can’t do that.’”

The Allied Health Scholarship Committee is comprised of TCMS physicians and Alliance members. Since 1972, the Committee has awarded allied health students to help aid their education. “The desire, dedication, and hard work of so many students who wish to become healthcare providers give me hope for the future of medicine,” said Massingill.

All applicants must attend colleges in Tarrant, Parker, or Johnson counties, such as Tarrant County Community (TCC), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Texas Christian University (TCU), Weatherford College, Southwestern Adventist University, Hill College, Tarleton State University, or Texas Wesleyan University.

2023 Allied Health Scholars:

Tolani Adebowale of Weatherford College; Victoria Alexander of Weatherford College; Makenzee Benson of TCU; Sarah Broder of TCU; Leah DeLeon of UTA; Peyton Elvington of Weatherford College; Carolina Flores of TCC; Megan Harmon of UTA; LaToya L. Jones of UTA; Ruby Le of TCC; Courtney Lemons of Weatherford College; Kayla Robinson of UTA; Alexandria Snider of UTA; Alexandra Sonsini-Hornick of TCU; Emily Tanner of Weatherford College; Erin Tanner of Weatherford College; Ashley Wheeler of TCU.

The Tarrant County Medical Society is a professional organization dedicated to improving the art and science of medicine for the residents of Tarrant County since 1903. TCMS serves over 4,000 physicians, residents, medical students, and Alliance members and is a component society of the Texas Medical Association. To learn more, visit here.

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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ramirez, Communications Coordinator;

eramirez@tcms.org / (817) 632-7519

Addressing Conscientious Objection in Healthcare

Insights from the 2023 Healthcare in a Civil Society Forum

by Liz Ramirez

The Tarrant County Academy of Medicine Ethics Consortium, in partnership with Tarrant County Medical Society, hosted Healthcare in a Civil Society on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The annual forum’s central theme focused on “Conscientious Objections in Health Care: Patient Autonomy and Provider Integrity.”

TCMS President Stuart Pickell, MD, joined Steve Brotherton, MD, as HCS moderator and welcomed their keynote speaker, Farr Curlin, MD, at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

“Dr. Curlin is an internationally known expert on physician conscience and conscientious objection,” said Dr. Pickell. “He is particularly concerned with the moral and spiritual dimensions of medical practice, the doctor-patient relationship, and the moral and professional formation of physicians. His areas of expertise are medicine, medical ethics, doctor-patient relationship, religion and medicine, and conscience.”

On the panel, Dr. Curlin was accompanied by panelists Maxine M. Harrington, JD; Alan Podawiltz, DO; and UNTHSC President, Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., RN. In the discussion, Preston “Pete” Geren, JD, moderated a panel about educational topics like state intrusion into practice, the effect of providers performing unethical acts, and how medical educators can train students to recognize moral injury.

Participants had the opportunity to interact in small groups and prepare questions for the panelists during the breakout session, where panelists discussed the impact of government and institutional intrusion into medical practice, its effect on healthcare providers, and what providers can do to address it.

“While this event targets medical professionals, anyone who has an interest in the doctor-patient relationship- how it has evolved, where it is heading and implications for the future of healthcare- will find this program helpful,” said Dr. Pickell.

The Tarrant County Academy of Medicine Ethics Consortium believes anyone in the community with an interest to improve healthcare can benefit from this program. The event wouldn’t be possible without the support of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cook Children’s Medical Center, JPS Health Network, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Join Cook Children’s for Ask the Doc Webinar on Pregnancy Care

Join Cook Children’s Medical Center on November 1, 2022, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CT, for their upcoming Ask a Doc webinar: “Do No Harm: The Ethics, Myths & Business of Caring for Pregnant People.”

The event, which is led by the Texas Department of State Health Services – Oral Health Improvement Program and the Children’s Oral Health Coalition, is focused on education, combatting barriers to healthcare, and coordinating services.

A number of topics will be covered, including:

Explaining ethical dilemmas related to delaying treatment
Discussing the myths dentist have about treating pregnant people
Recognizing why timely treatment is good for business
Identifying and manage potential medical and dental risk

You can find out more about the event or register here.

5th Annual Ralph J. Anderson, MD Women’s Health Symposium

The 5th Annual Ralph J. Anderson, MD Women’s Health Symposium will showcase the advances made in women’s health care in both Tarrant and Dallas Counties. It was created to honor Dr. Anderson, who dedicated a large portion of his career to the education of health care professionals in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. For more than 20 years Dr. Anderson developed, moderated, and oversaw a yearly large educational symposium to ensure that practicing health care professionals continued their education to improve patient care and patient outcomes.

Registration

You can register for the symposium here.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:

Define two strategies to improve health outcomes of women in DFW metroplex;
Diagnose and define uncomplicated vaginitides using evidence-based methodology;
Define maternal morbidity and mortality related to Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder;
Describe the current burden of substance use disorders (SUD) women experience in the US; and
Identify key points of progress in our understanding of human trafficking and healthcare responses for readying its workforce.

Topics Covered

At the Women’s Health Symposium you will learn from distinguished leaders in the field of women’s health on such topics as:

Placenta Accreta
Advances in New Born Care & Breastfeeding
Palliative Medicine
Overactive Bladder
Fetal Surgery Innovations
Adolescent Health
Trafficking and Opioid Abuse

Price for Virtual Attendees

Registration fee: $120

Who Should Attend

Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, nurses and social workers caring for women will all find something of practical value at the 2022 Women’s Health Symposium.