Annamaria Macaluso Davidson Memorial Hermann Health System

Annamaria Macaluso Davidson, MD, MBA

I grew up in Houston. After graduating cum laude from Memorial High School, I graduated magna cum laude and with honors from Texas A&M University in College Station.

After that, I got an MD from the University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine in Houston. I also earned an MBA at the University of Texas at Tyler. I am board certified in Occupational and Environmental Medicine as well as Medical Quality.

I currently serve as a board member of the Texas College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and a member of the Program Review and Residency Advisory Committee at the McGovern School of Medicine at UTHealth Houston.

My strong work ethic is inspired by my family’s legacy: hardworking men and women, skilled lifelong learners and teachers, immigrants of great courage, a love of medicine and a strong commitment to their community.

Helping to keep our workforce safe and caring for the sick during the pandemic has been a challenge and a privilege. There is such benefit, honor and power at work. It is also rewarding to provide practical guidance to employers so that their employees can work safely throughout the outbreak. I led efforts at Memorial Hermann to implement a new best-in-class, rapid molecular (Covid-19) test in multiple settings, providing an improved clinical and patient experience.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in healthcare?

I grew up in a medical environment. My father is a dentist, and my grandfather is an allergist and pediatrician. An extended family is filled with surgeons, radiologists, pharmacists and hospital administrators. Medicine was always at the top of my list. I also thought about education but ultimately decided on medicine because I could practice and incorporate education into my work. I have seen firsthand the honor of the profession and the blessing of learning the skills and helping others and serving with those gifts. I am proud of my heritage. It inspires me every day.

What career achievement are you proudest of and why?

I am grateful to have been able to work and coach during my first years with Memorial Hermann. But I am proud to have reached my current position. We have talented, compassionate and skilled workforce. And we have a big goal that drives our work: to improve community health. In this role, I work with companies in our city to improve the health of their employees and workplaces.

What is the most challenging part of your current position?

We tell the story of our work. A lot of good work is being done, but organizing, ranking, creating and distributing data and information in a large organization can be challenging. It is also very motivating to organize the details and create visual images.

What is your organization doing to address health care equity?

Memorial Hermann is committed to partnering with our community to improve the delivery of care and services in underserved communities, workplaces and our community at large. We are constantly improving in our quest to provide personalized and compassionate care to every community member. We respect each other’s unique identities and contributions as we learn, shape the client and practitioner experiences, and practice therapy.

If you could change one thing about American health care, what would it be?

To ensure the healthcare workforce is valued and appreciated – restoring joy at work through community building, reducing waste, improving resilience and creating purpose-driven work.

How to avoid burnout?

I am constantly reminded of the purpose in my work – to improve the health of our communities, to honor and support my family, and to do better for the Lord. There are also practical tools that bring relaxation and inspiration: working, organizing (think “house editing!”), cooking, relaxing, giving thanks, and spending time with my husband, four children, and extended family.