Governor Abbott appoints four to chronic kidney disease task force

Christine Burgess, M.D. of Austin is a physician and the lab medical director at Clinical Pathology Laboratories. She is a member of the Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association (TMA), College of American Pathology, American Society of Clinical Pathology, and the American Society for Microbiology. Burgess received a Bachelor of Arts in microbiology from The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from Emory University, and a Doctor of Medicine from UT Health Science Center in San Antonio.

Ajay Israni, M.D. of Galveston is the division chief of nephrology at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). He is one of the founders of the Texas Society of Nephrology and a member of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and American Society of Transplantation. Israni received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Rutgers University and a Doctor of Medicine from New York University School of Medicine.

Matthew T. Smith, M.D. of Frisco is a senior executive medical director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He is board certified in nephrology and internal medicine, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a member of the National Kidney Foundation, ASN, and TMA. Additionally, he is an advisory board member for Scouting America, Circle Ten Council, a prior Scoutmaster and advancement chair for Troop 51, Circle Ten Council, and the field crew chair for the Wakeland High School Band Boosters. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Medicine from UTMB.