San Antonio educator appointed to AAFP public health commission

TAFP past president Kaparaboyna Ashok Kumar, M.D., F.R.C.S., has been appointed to the AAFP Commission on Health of the Public and Science. Kumar has worked in a variety of professional settings, including solo practice and as residency faculty. He currently serves as vice chair of medical student education and clerkship director at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Department of Family and Community Medicine.

On the commission, Kumar will work with AAFP staff to develop and review evidence-based clinical practice guidelines; develop recommendations for clinical preventive services including immunizations; review health of the public policies including tobacco, exercise, and obesity; represent AAFP to federal, medical specialty, voluntary health, and other organizations; and serve on advisory committees to Academy programs. His four-year term began on Dec. 15, 2011.

Kumar is a longtime leader in TAFP and AAFP. He became involved as an international medical graduate of Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, serving as one of the first IMG delegates to the AAFP Congress of Delegates and the first member elected as the special constituency member of the TAFP Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He previously served as chair of the AAFP Commission on Membership and Member Services, and chair of the Chapter Relations Sub-committee.

Kumar completed a surgical residency at St. James’ University Hospital, England, and a family medicine residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. He completed a fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons.