Governor Greg Abbott has appointed fourteen individuals to the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) Advisory Council. The terms for these appointees are set to expire on August 31, 2027. The council is responsible for advising the commission and legislature regarding research, diagnosis, treatment, and education related to pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.
The newly appointed members include Sophia Rahman, M.D., an internal medicine physician from Plano who owns Sophia Rahman MD PLLC. She serves on several boards including the Collin-Fannin County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association Board of Censors, as well as Project Access-Collin County. Dr. Rahman holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Medicine from St. Matthews University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and is board-certified in Internal Medicine.
Stefani Reinold, M.D., a psychiatrist from Dripping Springs and owner of Wholehearted Integrative Psychiatrist, was also appointed. She is active in professional societies such as the Austin Psychiatric Society and Dripping Springs Counseling Network. Additionally, she serves as president of the Dripping Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees and is involved with the National Charity League. Dr. Reinold received her undergraduate degree from Baylor University and earned both her Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Brandon Brock, DNP, Ph.D., was reappointed to the council. He works as a staff clinician at Carpathia Collaborative in Sunnyvale and is a family nurse practitioner with multiple advanced degrees in nursing and clinical research.
Other reappointed or newly appointed members bring diverse backgrounds ranging from behavioral analysis to law, education, psychotherapy, neurology, pediatrics, integrative medicine, autism coordination within the Texas Education Agency, environmental medicine practice, school health specialization, ranching, IT marketing consulting, philanthropy work, play therapy supervision, livestock show management experience, clinical supervision in trauma recovery specialties at Well Mind Body: Integrative Psychotherapy and Wellness in Houston; medical direction at Hope for Healing; medical consultancy for Faith Academy Marble Falls; leadership roles within state or national professional associations; adjunct professorships; volunteering with parent-teacher organizations; support group facilitation; church involvement; summer camp medical advisement; special education teaching; board membership for ethical care organizations; athletic training instruction; physician assistant practice; nursing organization membership; among other qualifications.
Governor Abbott’s appointments aim to ensure that expertise across various fields contributes to state efforts addressing pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome through legislative advice on research initiatives and public health policy.
