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The Texas Chiropractic Association honored some of the state’s top doctors of chiropractic and others at its annual President’s Gala during Chiro Texpo ’19, TCA’s annual convention, held June 7-9 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. James E. Welch Jr., DC, of Beaumont received the Keeler Plaque. Dr. Welch is the only two-time TCA President in TCA’s history, serving terms in 2000-01 and 2015-16. The Keeler Plaque is the most prestigious award presented to a doctor of chiropractic (DC) in Texas. Established in 1934 by Dr. Clyde Keeler, this award recognizes the chiropractor of the year in Texas. The winner is selected by a panel of past Keeler Plaque winners. Alayna Pagnani-Gendron, DC, of Houston was selected for the Young Chiropractor of the Year Award. This award is presented to a chiropractor under the age of 40 who has made significant contributions to TCA and the chiropractic profession in Texas. Pagnani-Gendron was recently inducted as TCA Secretary/Treasurer. She previously chaired TCA’s Membership Committee. Award winners included: • Board of Directors’ Award – Craig Benton, DC, of Lampasas. The TCA Board of Directors selects an individual who has made significant contributions to the success of the Board. Dr. Benton is TCA’s Scientific Affairs Coordinator. • President’s Award – Jeff Jenkins, TCA Executive Director, of Austin and TCA staff. This award is presented by the outgoing TCA president to an individual for outstanding service to the president and TCA. • H. Ford Johnson Memorial Award – Steve Sanders, DC, of Fort Worth. This award was established to recognize a person who best represents service to TCA and contributes to the association’s membership growth. Dr. Sanders serves as State Director for TCA District 4. • Legislative Award – Bill Lawson, DC, of Austin. This award is presented by the TCA Legislative Affairs Committee to an individual for outstanding work in the advocacy and legislative areas. Dr. Lawson chairs TCA’s State Affairs Committee. • Rising Star Award – Andrew Oteo, DC, of Frisco. This new award recognizes a chiropractor who is relatively new to TCA leadership with a passion for the association and chiropractic in Texas. Dr. Oteo is the new State Director for District 5. • Executive Director’s Award – Jose Simon, DC, of Houston. This award was created to honor an individual for his or her efforts to help TCA staff over the past year. Dr. Simon is the State Director for TCA District 11. • TCA Chiropractic Advocate Award – Paul Harris, MD, of Abilene. This award is presented to an individual outside the profession who promotes the values of chiropractic and TCA. Dr. Harris, a neurologist, was honored for testifying twice on behalf of TCA at the State Capitol during the 86th Texas Legislative Session. • TCA Top Contributor Award – Paul Liechty, DC, of Mesquite. This award is presented to TCA’s top donor to the Chiropractic Development Initiative (CDI) and TCA Political Action Committee (TCA PAC). • TCA Fundraising Heavyweight Champion Awards – TCA District 2 (small district) and TCA District 11 (large district). This award was created to recognize TCA districts in two categories for their fundraising excellence over the past year. • TCA Friend of Chiropractic Award – Bergquist Law Firm and Tek-Medical. This award recognizes individuals and companies who heavily support TCA and chiropractic in Texas. Headquartered in Houston with offices in Austin, Dallas, McAllen and San Antonio, Bergquist Law Firm is a firm specializing in personal injury. Based in Houston, Tek-Medical is a provider of durable medical equipment. In addition, TCA honored Doctor of the Year winners in all 12 TCA districts. Winners included: • District 1 Doctor of the Year – William Leff, DC, El Paso • District 2 Doctor of the Year – Jeff Williams, DC, Amarillo • District 3 Doctor of the Year – Korey Kothmann, DC, Lubbock • District 4 Doctor of the Year – Greg Carter, DC, Fort Worth • District 5 Doctor of the Year – Hollen Meyer, DC, Dallas • District 6 Doctor of the Year – Kristopher Ingram, DC, and Tina Ingram, DC, Canton • District 7 Doctor of the Year – Nick Anthony, DC, Abilene • District 8 Doctor of the Year – Bill Lawson, DC, Austin • District 9 Doctor of the Year – Keven Ellis, DC, Lufkin • District 10 Doctor of the Year – Carmen Carlile, DC, San Antonio • District 11 Doctor of the Year – Jack Christie, DC, Houston • District 12 Doctor of the Year – Michael Mauger, DC, Corpus Christi