Indian American doctor appointed to Texas Medical Board

HOUSTON: A prominent Indian American heart surgeon has been appointed to the leading medical regulatory body in the US state of Texas by Governor Rick Perry.

Dr Devinder Bhatia has been appointed to the Texas Medical Board for a six-year term along with seven others.

The Texas Medical Board is the state agency mandated to regulate the practice of medicine in Texas and consists of 12 physician members and seven public members appointed for a six-year term by the Governor.

Houston-based Bhatia specialises in thoracic surgery, peripheral vascular disease, vascular surgery, cardiac surgery and cardiovascular disease in his practice.

Bhatia graduated from the University of Arkansas and has a medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and completed his cardiothoracic and peripheral vascular surgery fellowships at Carolinas Medical Centre.

Bhatia's father immigrated to the US from India in 1962.