Dr. Garretson, with over 20 years of experience as an emergency physician specializing in pediatric medicine, has been elected to the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees. She began her career in a small group pediatric practice before transitioning to pediatric emergency medicine at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, a regional referral center and level 2 trauma center.
“It is an honor to be elected to represent my colleagues on the AMA Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Garretson. “Shaping the future of medicine is a responsibility that I will take on with great care. I will work tirelessly to address the issues important to physicians so that we can focus on what matters most—our patients.”
Dr. Garretson has served in the AMA House of Delegates, the AMA’s policy-making body, for more than 25 years and currently serves as the delegation chair representing the American Academy of Pediatrics. Additionally, she has contributed her expertise to the work of the AMA’s Section Council on Emergency Medicine and the AMA’s Specialty and Service Society.
Previously, Dr. Garretson served on the AMA Board of Trustees as a medical student trustee. Her involvement with various sections within the AMA includes roles such as vice speaker of its Medical Student Section, delegate to its Resident and Fellow Section, and service on its Young Physicians Section Governing Council.
Beyond her roles within the AMA, Dr. Garretson was also involved with other medical organizations. She was the first resident member of North Carolina Medical Society’s political action committee board and chaired its resident and fellow section. Upon relocating to Texas, she joined both Tarrant County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association (TMA). In Texas, she served as county medical society president, advanced public health through private partnerships as chair of TMA Council on Health Promotion, and represented her district on TMA political action committee board.
Dr. Garretson received her undergraduate degree in biology and history with a minor in chemistry from Texas Christian University where she graduated with honors as a Chancellor’s Scholar. She earned her medical degree from Mayo Medical School, now known as Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. She resides in Fort Worth, Texas.
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