About Us

Trauma Care in Texas


In 1989, the Texas Legislature, as part of the Omnibus Rural Health Care Act, directed the Bureau of Emergency Management of the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to develop and implement a statewide emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma care system, designate trauma facilities, and develop a trauma registry to monitor the system. No funding was provided for this project at that time.

Rules for implementing the system were adopted by TDH in January 1992. These rules divided the state into twenty-two regions called trauma service areas (TSAs). The rules also called for the formation of a regional advisory council (RAC) in each TSA to develop and implement a regional trauma system plan, delineate the trauma facility designation process, and assist with development of the state trauma registry.

Our Mission

The purpose of this organization is to provide a forum networking, mentorship, preparedness, securing and maintaining of trauma financing and provision of education to professionals involved in trauma care.  TTCF encompasses all aspects of trauma care for both the injured and those at risk for injury.

TTCF encourages multidisciplinary participation in providing holistic healthcare across the entire continuum of injury, from injury prevention through rehabilitation.  Membership is open to anyone interested in improving care for trauma patients. Meetings of the TTCF are held quarterly and provide an outstanding opportunity to network with Trauma Coordinators, Trauma Program Managers, Trauma Registrars, Injury Prevention Experts, and Educators from the trauma community throughout the State of  Texas. During meetings, members receive updates on legislative issues, injury prevention programs, trauma registry requirements, and rule changes.

How We Started

In 1991, Trauma Coordinator positions were added to several facilities providing trauma care in the Dallas area. This was a new, largely undefined role whose benefit was unclear. Institutional support and structure for the role was nonexistent.

Several Dallas Coordinators, including Jorie Klein of Parkland, Jodi Cotner of Baylor and Kim Davies of Methodist, began meeting together for lunch to share ideas and support. Soon, Coordinators from Fort Worth, Greg Bauer of Harris Methodist and Ann Athey of Cooke's Childrens' Hospital, began attending the lunches as well.

By early 1992, the group expanded into north Texas. The original membership expanded to eleven when Woody Kuykendall (General), Dot Howard (Longview), Judy England (East Texas Medical Center), Penny Pezencke (UTMB), Mary Pat Bonham (UMC), and Debra Walker (Bethania) began attending meetings. These eleven individuals formalized the original Trauma Coordinators under the North Texas Division of the American Trauma Society. Membership soon leaped from eleven to twenty-five, to over one hundred by mid-1992.

In Memoriam

TTCF expresses sincere gratitude to the following members for their leadership, dedication, and support.  May they truly rest in peace.

  • Bernie Belvin
  • Ram Perez
  • Wanda Wiktorik
  • Roberta Bert Corbell

Presidential Leadership History

The TTCF Executive Board of Directors has been comprised of true trauma champions, passionate in their desire to improve the trauma system in the State of Texas, and selfless in their volunteerism. 

View the list of presidents below.

2024 - 2025     Dawn Koepp

2022 - 2023     Kathy Rodgers

2020 - 2021     Lori Adams

2018 - 2019     Sherry Jennings

2016 - 2017     Robin Garza

2014 - 2015     Courtney Edwards

2012 - 2013     Marvin Cloud

2010 - 2011     Scott Christopher

2008 - 2009     Brenda Putz

2005 - 2007     Wanda Wiktorik

2004                 Kathy Rodgers

2003                 Molly Loar

2002                 Marjorie Lygas

2001                  Jacky Betts

2000                 Margaret Crawford

1999                 Jay Hopper

1998                 

1997                 Marjorie Lygas

1996                 Cindy Crocker

1995                 Lois Blough

1994                 Cliffann McCarley

1993                 Judy England

1992                 Jorie Klein

 

 

 

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