Some 100 biomedical industry leaders and supporters marked San Antonio’s advancement as a “City of Science and Health” at BioMed SA’s Annual Business Meeting December 10, 2008 at the Omni Hotel.

“Our job at BioMed SA is to tell your story – the collective story of San Antonio as a City of Science and Health – and we have excellent material to work with in the form of success stories from each pillar of the biomedical industry,” said President Ann Stevens. She briefed attendees on strategic initiatives during BioMed SA’s third full year of operation as a non-profit, membership-based organization supported in part by Bexar County and the City of San Antonio.


Leaders from four key industry “pillars,” or segments, demonstrated the industry’s continued growth by reporting on newsworthy developments of 2008, including construction projects, research grants, degree programs, product milestones, and company financings. Updates were presented by Don Beeler of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care, representing the medical and health services pillar; Dr. Dan Perugini of the UT Health Science Center, representing the research pillar; Dr. Bruce Leslie of Alamo Community Colleges, representing health professions education; and Ron Tefteller of Genzyme Oncology, representing bioscience firms.

Founding Chair Henry Cisneros announced the election of Dr. Steven A. Davis, Elaine Mendoza and Milton Lee as new members of the 2009 Executive Committee. They will join returning EC members Cisneros, Don Beeler, Ron Tefteller, Kevin Moriarty, Kenneth Trevett, Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, Dr. Ricardo Romo, Dr. Louis Agnese, Dr. Bruce Leslie, Col.Carlos Angueira, Mayor Phil Hardberger, Judge Nelson Wolff, and Richard Perez.

Outgoing EC members, Dr. Delbert Chumley and Ron Mercer, were recognized for their service to the organization.

In addition, board members approved a bylaws amendment to expand the EC to include the top paid executives of the Bexar County Medical Society and Greater San Antonio Hospital Council as ex officio members with vote.

Tom Heebink from international biotechnology organization, BIO, introduced a cost-savings program that will be extended to BioMed SA members in 2009. The BIO Business Solutions program offers discounted contracts on laboratory equipment, office supplies, business services and industry publications.