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History of TOMA

TOMA Through the Years | TOMA Past Presidents | History of the TOMA Building

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A Legacy of Leadership: TOMA Through the Years

Founded in 1900 by five pioneering osteopathic physicians, the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA) is the oldest statewide osteopathic organization in the nation. What began in Sherman, Texas as the Texas Association for the Advancement of Osteopathy quickly grew into a powerful voice for DOs across the state.

The association was born out of necessity, fighting to protect the osteopathic profession from restrictive legislation. Thanks to early advocacy efforts, including the hiring of former senator Cecil Smith, TOMA secured key amendments that ensured osteopathic physicians could continue to practice in Texas. The 1907 Medical Practice Act granted licensure rights, and by 1901, the association became known as the Texas Osteopathic Association—a name that would evolve over the decades before becoming TOMA in 1971.

Throughout its history, TOMA has championed the profession through advocacy, education and leadership. Influential figures like Dr. Phil R. Russell helped secure insurance recognition and built the first state headquarters. Legislative wins continued under leaders like Dr. Joseph L. Love and executive directors Tex Roberts and Tom Hanstrom. Major milestones included increasing DO representation on the Texas Medical Board and securing nondiscrimination clauses in key laws.

In 1993, TOMA relocated to Austin to amplify its political presence. Under Executive Director Terry Boucher, TOMA gained further victories—including licensure changes, hospital staff laws and the purchase of a historic building for its headquarters.

TOMA’s reach also expanded through the work of auxiliary organizations and a growing membership base. What started with 10 members in 1900 has grown into a vibrant community of over 1,400 DOs and trainees, organized into 19 regional districts.

Today, TOMA remains dedicated to supporting Texas osteopathic physicians, advocating for high standards in healthcare, improving public health and ensuring patients across the state have access to osteopathic care.

Originally Written by Lydia Anderson Hedges and Terry R. Boucher
BIBLOGRAPHY: Phil R. Russell and Judy Alter, The Quack Doctor (Fort Worth: Branch-Smith, 1974). Texas Osteopathic Physicians Journal, April 1969.

TOMA Past Presidents

2024–2025 Monte Mitchell, DO
2023–2024 Damon Schranz, DO
2022–2023 Katarina Lindley, DO
2021–2022 Heather Aguirre, DO
2020–2021 Brandon Lewis, DO
2019–2020 Brent Sanderlin, DO
2018–2019 John McDonald, DO
2017–2018 Steve Bander, DO
2016–2017 David Garza, DO
2015–2016 Steven Gates, DO
2014–2015 John Wright, DO
2013–2014 P. Steve Worrell, DO
2012–2013 A. Duane Selman, DO
2011–2012 Patrick Hanford, DO
2010–2011 Elizabeth A. Palmarozzi, DO
2009–2010 George Cole, DO
2008–2009 Monte E. Troutman, DO
2007–2008 Jack McCarty, DO
2006–2007 Daniel W. Saylak, DO
2005–2006 Kenneth S. Bayles, DO
2004–2005 Hector Lopez, DO
2003–2004 Jim W. Czewski, DO
2002–2003 James E. Froelich, III, DO
2001–2002 Mark A. Baker, DO
2000–2001 Bill V. Way, DO
1999–2000 Rodney M. Wiseman, DO
1998–1999 Nelda Cunniff-Isenberg, DO
1997–1998 R. Greg Maul, DO
1996–1997 Arthur J. Speece, III, DO
1995–1996 William D. Hospers, DO
1994–1995 T. Eugene Zachary, DO
1993–1994 Brian G. Knight, DO
1992–1993 Jerry E. Smola, DO
1991–1992 Donald F. Vedral, DO
1990–1991 Robert L. Peters, Jr., DO
1989–1990 Joseph Montgomery, DO
1988–1989 Merlin L. Shriner, DO
1987–1988 Bill H. Puryear, DO
1986–1987 Jerome L. Armbruster, DO
1985–1986 Donald M. Peterson, DO
1984–1985 Royce K. Keilers, DO
1983–1984 Robert G. Maul, DO
1982–1983 William R. Jenkins, DO
1981–1982 Frank J. Bradley, DO
1980–1981 Dwight H. Hause, DO
1979–1980 John J. Cegelski, Jr., DO
1978–1979 Gerald P. Flanagan, DO
1977–1978 Samuel B. Ganz, DO
1976–1977 David R. Armbruster, DO
1975–1976 Michael A. Calabrese, DO
1974–1975 H. Eugene Brown, DO
1973–1974 John H. Boyd, DO

1972–1973 Robert G. Haman, DO
1971–1972 Richard M. Hall, DO
1970–1971 Bobby G. Smith, DO
1969–1970 Richard L. Stratton, DO
1968–1969 Robert H. Nobles, DO
1967–1968 Wiley B. Rountree, DO
1966–1967 Fred E. Logan, Sr., DO
1965–1966 John H. Burnett, DO
1964–1965 J. Warren McCorkle, DO
1963–1964 Loren R. Rohr, DO
1962–1963 L. G. Ballard, DO
1961–1962 G. W. Tompson, DO
1960–1961 Glenn R. Scott, DO
1959–1960 Raymond D. Fisher, DO
1958–1959 Mickie G. Holcomb, DO
1957–1958 Lester I. Tavel, DO
1956–1957 John L. Witt, DO
1955–1956 Wayne M. Smith, DO
1954–1955 A. L. Garrison, DO
1953–1954 Merle Griffin, DO
1952–1953 Elmer C. Baum, DO
1951–1952 Samuel F. Sparks, DO
1950–1951 George J. Luibel, DO
1949–1950 Lige C. Edwards, DO
1948–1949 H. George Grainger, DO
1947–1948 J. Francis Brown, DO
1946–1947 Robert E. Morgan, DO
1944–1946 Joseph L. Love, DO
1943–1944 Reginald Platt, DO
1942–1943 Marille E. Sparks, DO
1941–1942 Lester J. Vick, DO
1939–1940 Howard R. Coats, DO
1937–1938 Ted R. Krohn, DO
1935–1936 J. R. Alexander, DO
1933–1934 Louis H. Logan, DO
1930–1931 R. H. Peterson, DO
1927–1928 Charles F. Kennedy, DO
1924–1925 H. B. Mason, DO
1923–1924 Phil R. Russell, DO
1918–1919 D. W. Davis, DO
1917–1918 Davis S. Harris, DO
1915–1916 H. M. Walker, DO
1914–1915 John S. Crawford, DO
1912–1913 Sam L. Scothorn, DO
1911–1912 George Cobb, DO
1909–1910 R. Norwood, DO
1906–1907 James L. Holloway, DO
1905–1906 A. D. Ray, DO
1904–1905 Paul M. Peck, DO
1901–1902 Thomas L. Ray, DO
1900–1901 D. L. Clark, DO

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