WASHINGTON CO. CHAMBER TO HOST HEALTH CARE FORUM MARCH 29
Residents of Washington County and surrounding areas will be able to hear an update on the current and future state of health care in the region at a forum this month.
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the forum on Wednesday, March 29th beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Janis Sneed Ballroom at the Blinn-Brenham Campus Student Center.
Featured presenters will be Baylor Scott & White Health representatives Jason Jennings, Dr. Eric Alford, Dr. William Loesch, and Washington County EMS Director Kevin Deramus.
Jennings is the president of Baylor Scott & White Health – College Station Region, consisting of two hospitals and 15 clinics, serving the greater Brazos Valley. He previously served as the chief operating officer for Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, one of the 51 hospitals in the Baylor Scott & White Health system. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. He also holds master’s degrees in physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch and in business administration from the University of Texas at Tyler. He is board certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives, serves on the Board of Trustees for the Texas Hospital Association and is the recipient of the Texas A&M University College of Biomedical Science Outstanding Alumnus award.
Dr. Alford is the regional medical director for Baylor Scott & White – Brenham. He is board-certified in family medicine and treats Central Texans at Baylor Scott & White – The Brenham Clinic. Dr. Alford specializes in providing comprehensive healthcare for all ages and is dedicated to faithfully caring for his patients. He completed his family medicine residency at the Waco Family Medicine Residency Program, where he served as chief resident.
Dr. Loesch is board-certified in internal medicine and treats Central Texans at Baylor Scott & White – The Brenham Clinic, specializing in disease prevention. Dr. Loesch serves as the local health authority for Washington County, EMS medical director and air medical director. He has helped the EMS program in its innovation, such as adding a community paramedic program, putting blood products on ambulances and working to improve pre-hospital care in the community.
Deramus is the Director of Washington County EMS. He started his career in 1993 when he attended EMT school at Kilgore Junior College. He then attended Texas A&M /Scott & White Paramedic Program where he graduated and became certified by the Texas Department of Health as a Paramedic in 1994. Other experience includes flight paramedic, EMS instructor, water rescue manager, and special operations specialist/instructor. In 2022, the Washington County EMS was chosen as the EMS Agency of the Year at the Texas EMS Alliance Awards. Deramus has been employed with Washington County EMS since 1994.
The forum will be moderated by Shirley Herring, an active community member and past director and chair of the Washington County Chamber Board.
A buffet lunch is included with reservations, which are $30 per person for Chamber members and $40 for non-members. Reserved tables of eight are available for $300.
To reserve a seat at the forum, register by March 23rd at www.brenhamtexas.com/stateofhealthcare. Anyone looking to attend can also contact the Chamber by emailing shae@brenhamtexas.com or calling 979-836-3695.