task force staff

Kirstin R. W. Matthews, Ph.D., Project Director
Postdoctoral Research Associate
James A. Baker III Institute of Public Policy
Rice University

The James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University has a mission to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of public policy by drawing together experts from academia, government, the media, business and nongovernmental organizations. By involving both policy makers and scholars, the institute seeks to improve the debate on selected public policy issues and make a difference in the formation, implementation and evaluation of public policy. At the Baker Institute, Dr. Matthews is a postdoctoral research associate in Science Policy for Dr. Neal Lane. Her position entails developing and organizing conferences; researching policy issues; and advocating the participation of scientists in science policy. Dr. Matthews received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where she characterized the protein carboxypeptidase N in mice.

 

Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Senior Advisor
Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
The University of Texas System

Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., is the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at the University of Texas System and is responsible for the six University of Texas System health institutions and their aggregate operating budget. A cardiologist and physiologist, Dr. Shine is the former President of the Institute of Medicine, where he addressed important issues in medicine and healthcare, such as quality of care and patient safety nutrition, food safety, and child development. Dr. Shine is also Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, former Dean and Provost for Medical Sciences at UCLA, and a member of many honorary and academic societies. Dr. Shine received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School.

 

Ms. Amy Shaw Thomas, Esq., Project Staff
Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
UT System Administration

Amy Shaw Thomas is Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs with The University of Texas System. Amy provides advice and counsel on complex business, operational, regulatory, legislative, public policy and legal issues affecting the six health institutions of The University of Texas System. She joined The University of Texas System Office of Governmental Relations in January 1997 and the Office of Health Affairs in September 2002. Amy previously worked as Legislative Counsel and Director of Debt Management and Public Policy for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison when she was Texas State Treasurer. She also served on the staff of a U.S. Senator in Washington, D. C., and two members of the Texas Senate. She practiced public finance and general governmental law with the firms Hutchison, Price, Boyle & Brooks and Wickliff & Hall. Amy is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and a doctorate of law from The U.T. School of Law in 1984.

 

for information about the task force, please contact:

Maggie Floores, Project Staff
Administrative Associate
UT System Administration
mfloores@utsystem.edu
Phone: (512) 499-4232
Fax: (512) 499-4371

Maggie Floores began her career with The University of Texas System in 1980. Before coming to Office of Health Affairs in 1988 she worked in numerous offices throughout U.T. System including Office of Human Resources, Lands Accounting, and Office of General Counsel. Currently, Ms. Floores is assistant to both Assistant Vice Chancellor Patrick Francis and Assistant Vice Chancellor Richard St. Onge.