May 12, 2026
GATESVILLE, Texas — The Texas Medical Association swore in Coryell Health otolaryngologist Dr. Bradford Holland as the organization’s 161st president at TexMed 2026 in Corpus Christi on April 18th after serving as the organization’s president-elect for the past year.
“I’m humbled and honored to be selected,” Dr. Holland said. “Central Texas hasn’t had a TMA representative at this level since before I was born. It tends to be the major metros that dominate in more recent times, but five of the early TMA presidents came from Salado, Coryell County and McLennan County. We have a rich history here, and I’m proud to carry that forward.”
His perspective on issues regarding access is directly informed by his years practicing in rural Central Texas—an experience he describes as among the most rewarding of his career.
“Rural health care is the backbone of medicine in Texas,” Dr. Holland said. “It’s where the most meaningful patient interactions happen—where you know your patients and see them in your community. It also faces unique challenges, like funding, transportation and access to specialty care. That’s one reason I’ve been active in TMA for so long. Someone has to address those challenges, and it ought to be physicians.”
Coryell Health Chief Executive Officer David Byrom said Dr. Holland’s appointment represents an important voice for rural and community health care systems across Texas.
“Having a physician leader at the state level who understands the realities of rural health care is incredibly important,” Byrom said. “Dr. Holland has spent his career serving patients in Central Texas communities, and he understands firsthand the challenges rural hospitals and clinics face when it comes to access to care, physician shortages and long-term sustainability. We are proud to see Coryell Health and the communities we serve represented through his leadership.”
Byrom added that Dr. Holland’s leadership comes at a time when Coryell Health continues to expand services to meet the growing needs of patients throughout the region. Coryell Health is currently building a new medical clinic in Waco that will expand access to primary and specialty care services, advanced imaging, laboratory services and physical therapy for patients across Central Texas.
“As Coryell Health continues to grow, we remain focused on improving access to high-quality care close to home,” Byrom said. “Dr. Holland’s leadership at the state level aligns with that mission and helps ensure rural and regional health care organizations continue to have a voice in shaping the future of medicine in Texas.”
Dr. Holland holds a decades-long record of TMA leadership, including service on the Council on Legislation, four terms as speaker of the house and chairmanship of TEXPAC, TMA’s political action committee. He also previously served as the president of both the McLennan County Medical Society and the Texas Association of Otolaryngology.
He and his wife, Amanda Holland, director of academic advising and enrollment initiatives for Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, live in Waco and have four children.
The Texas Medical Association is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 59,000 physician and medical student members. Since its founding in 1853, TMA’s goal has been to improve the health of all Texans.