Member Login
Search

History of TOMA

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

Learn More 

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

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

​