Monthly Monday Primary Care Talks is dedicated to interviewing guest speakers from across Texas, covering a wide range of primary care topics. Each month, TPCC will bring you informative episodes as your go-to resource on all things primary care in Texas.

Today, you will hear from Dr. Kia Parsi and Helen Kent Davis about their work on the Rural Texas Maternal Health Rescue Plan to improve healthcare access for mothers in rural Texas.

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‍Dr. Kia Parsi

Executive Director, Texas A&M Rural and Community Health Institute and Associate Professor and Executive Director, Texas A&M School of Medicine Rural Program

Kia Parsi, MD, serves as the executive director for the Texas A&M Rural and Community Health Institute and as associate professor and executive director for the Texas A&M School of Medicine Rural Program. He has over 25 years of experience working as a rural physician in various models such as RHCs, FQHCs, and fee-for-service clinics, hospital care, long-term care, and hospice care. In addition, Parsi has extensive executive and physician leadership experience, working for over 6 years as the CMO and interim CEO for an integrated health care system that included 3 Critical Access Hospitals, 2 acute care hospitals, 2 nursing homes, and over 30 ambulatory clinics. Due to this breadth of experience, Parsi has the unique perspective of being involved as an administrator representing a rural health care institution as well as negotiating on the behalf of a larger health care organization.

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Helen Kent Davis

Founder and Principal, HKD and Associates

Helen Kent Davis is the founder and principal of HKD and Associates, a health care consultancy providing policy analysis and strategy to help clients promote more accessible, equitable, and cost-effective health care. Among the issues on which she has expertise are Medicaid and the state’s health care safety net, public and private health care coverage, primary care, rural health, and women’s, perinatal, and children’s health. Prior to founding her own firm, Kent Davis worked at the Texas Medical Association for more than 30 years, most recently as the associate vice president of governmental affairs. At TMA, she earned a trusted reputation for her expertise, savvy understanding of Texas’ policy-making process and ability to develop effective partnerships, working together to improve health care delivery and outcomes. Away from work, she loves spending time with her husband, son and two dogs as well as swimming at Barton Springs, gardening and traveling.

Questions for Kia Parsi and Helen Kent Davis?
‍Feel free to reach out to them at kparsi@exchange.tamu.edu and helen@hkdhealthpolicy.com.

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‍Questions, comments, or feedback for the TPCC team?
We would love to hear what you thought of today’s episode! If you would like to participate in our Monthly Monday Primary Care Talks as a guest or recommend a guest, please contact communications@texashealthinstitute.org.

‍Missed a previous episode?
View Monthly Monday: January 2024 with Dr. Laurel Williams

View Monthly Monday: February 2024 with Elena M. Marks

View Monthly Monday: March 2024 with Dr. Stacy Ogbeide

View Monthly Monday: April 2024 with Dr. Ryan D. Van Ramshorst and Emily Rocha

View Monthly Monday: May 2024 with Diane Arms

View Monthly Monday: June 2024 with Keegan Warren

View Monthly Monday: July 2024 with Laurie Vanhoose

View Monthly Monday: August 2024 with Kelenne Blake

View Monthly Monday: September 2024 with Kimberly Galloway

View Monthly Monday: October 2024 with Lisa Kirsch

View Monthly Monday: November 2024 with Chris Skisak

View Monthly Monday: December 2024 with Celia Cole