Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed three individuals to the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, as well as named a new chair. The appointments include Jose Almeda, M.D., Lauren Ramsey, and Leila Williams, D.O., with Tiffany Jones-Smith being named as the chair of the task force. The task force is responsible for coordinating the state's chronic kidney disease prevention, early screening, diagnosis, management plan, and educating healthcare professionals.
Dr. Jose Almeda, from McAllen, serves as the transplant surgery director at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. He is affiliated with various medical societies and has an educational background that includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s University and medical degrees from The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Lauren Ramsey works as a nurse practitioner at DFW Kidney Care Clinic in Argyle. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing at Texas Woman’s University and her Master of Science at UT Arlington.
Dr. Leila Williams, based in Austin, is the deputy chief medical director at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. She has served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force and holds memberships in the Texas Medical Board and American Academy of Family Medicine Physicians. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences.
Tiffany Jones-Smith, from San Antonio, serves as the president and CEO of the Texas Kidney Foundation. Her professional affiliations include contributing to academic publications and participating in multiple healthcare and civic coalitions, including the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her educational background spans a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University, international studies, and credentials from Harvard.
The appointments are effective until the Governor decides otherwise.
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