Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Indian American physician Padmaja Patel, M.D., of Midland, Texas, to the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, with a term set to expire on September 1, 2029.
Other appointments to the committee include Ann Shippy, M.D., Commissioner Sid Miller, and Natalie Bachynsky, Ph.D., each serving terms that expire on September 1, 2027. Additionally, Cheryl Sew Hoy, Jaclyn Albin, M.D., and Kathleen Davis, Ph.D., were appointed to terms expiring on September 1, 2029.
According to an announcement from Governor Abbott’s office, the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is established to develop nutritional guidelines for residents across the state.
Dr. Patel is a board-certified internist and serves as chief medical officer at Nudj Health. She is also president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), a consultant committee member of the Texas Medical Association, and a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and the American Association of Physician Leaders.
In addition, she is president of the Midland Quality Alliance, founding chair of the ACLM Clinical Practice and Quality Committee, a board member of Healthy City Midland, and a member of the Primary Care Collaborative, the announcement stated.
Dr. Patel has previously served on the Professional Advisory Council of the National Quality Forum and on the Endorsement and Maintenance Committee of the Partnership for Quality Measurement. She earned her premedical degree from Vitthalbhai Patel and Rajratna P. T. Patel Science College and received her Doctor of Medicine in internal medicine from the University of Missouri.



