February 2018 Spotlight

Dr. Leilani Valdes was named a Health Hero by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) for her commitment to improving the health of her community. One of only four physicians honored with the award, she was praised for demonstrating leadership and participation with various TMA programs.

As a pathologist, Leilani has served on national committees for the College of American Pathologists, was president of the Victoria-Goliad-Jackson County Medical Society, and is a delegate to the TMA House of Delegates, the association's policymaking body. She is currently a member of TMA's Council on Health Promotion and the TMA HPV Working Group.

She received her Bachelor of Arts from Emory University. After a brief career in marketing and public relations, she attended the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. She currently serves as laboratory director for the RPA Anatomic Pathology Laboratory, Cuero Community Hospital, Jackson County Hospital, and Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital.