TITLE: Congratulating Dr. Debra Patt on receiving the Physician Advocacy Champion Award from the U.S. Oncology Network.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Dr. Debra Patt on receiving the Physician Advocacy Champion Award from the U.S. Oncology Network.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Debra Patt has received the Physician Advocacy Champion Award from the U.S. Oncology Network; and WHEREAS, Dr. Patt is a medical oncologist and breast cancer specialist at Texas Oncology, where she also serves as the executive vice president of policy and strategic initiatives; in her clinical practice, she conducts breast cancer research, and she also has created a variety of innovative health care informatics tools, including a mechanism that allows patients to communicate real-time symptoms to their care team; and WHEREAS, The president of the Community Oncology Alliance, Dr. Patt has played an instrumental role in raising awareness about such critical issues as prior authorization hurdles as well as the need for pharmacy benefit manager reform and sustainable reimbursement models; she has utilized her vast clinical expertise to bridge the gap between medicine and policy, having testified before the United States Congress on a number of occasions; in addition, she has chaired both the council on legislation and the cancer committee for the Texas Medical Association; and WHEREAS, Dr. Patt further acts as a leader in her professional community through her service on the board of directors and the artificial intelligence task force of the American Society of Clinical Oncology; she has also served as the inaugural editor-in-chief of JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics,and she has mentored many young physicians; she has received numerous accolades in recognition of her contributions, including the ASCO Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award and Fellow of the Year in research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; she was also recognized as one of Austin's Top Doctors in oncology and hematology by Austin Monthly in 2021; and WHEREAS, Dr. Patt holds a bachelor's degree in zoology from The University of Texas at Austin as well as master's degrees in public health from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and business administration from UT Austin; she earned her medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine, where she went on to complete her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics; she undertook a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, and she also received a doctorate in health economics and health services research from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health; moreover, she gained additional experience through the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program at the National Cancer Institute; and WHEREAS, Over the course of her career, Dr. Patt has tirelessly advocated for the improvement of patient care while conducting research vital to the advancement of the medical field, and it is indeed fitting to honor her for her service to the people of Texas; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Debra Patt on receiving the Physician Advocacy Champion Award from the U.S. Oncology Network and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success with her important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Patt as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Oliverson Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 307 was adopted by the House on March 31, 2025, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House