August 2019
President's Message
Your TMA Alliance leadership rolled up their sleeves this summer to identify opportunities the organization could address in the years ahead. Now the long-range planning process kicks off this month with the Organization Review and Strategy (ORS) Committee. Lori Routh (Dallas), vice president of future planning, will chair the two-day meeting on August 8 and 9.
The ORS Committee meets annually “to strive for flexibility and improvement in all aspects of the organization in order to meet the changing needs of the medical profession and of membership.”
The committee consists of eight members, three of whom are chosen each year by the current president. Also in attendance are the president, president-elect, recording secretary, parliamentarian, revisions and guidelines chair, and vice president of membership.
This year, we have a long list of exciting items to tackle. Some of the highlights are updating the TMAA bylaws, reviewing a brand new membership plan, and discussing operational efficiencies. We hope to build on the past year’s accomplishments – such as launching the new TMAA website, online renewal, and the monthly newsletter that goes to all members – by “upping” our member outreach game. Expect to hear more about the 2020 membership drive and toolkit, fun ways to attract new members and retain current ones, and new advocacy outreach, plus more news about medical student and resident outreach we’re doing in Houston, and new Alliance chapters forming.
Recommendations from the ORS Committee will go the TMAA Board of Directors in September, and some items, such as the bylaw updates, will go before the full membership at ALLMED in May 2020. You won’t want to miss being a part of this wave of renewal!
Lisa Queralt, RN, MSN
TMA Alliance President
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REGISTER NOW: 2019 Regional Conference
Register now for the 2019 TMAA Regional Conference, October 11 in Tyler. This is a great meeting for both county leadership and Alliance members interested in becoming more involved. The one-day conference is packed with networking, leadership development opportunities, and advocacy outreach training. Plan to arrive October 10 for a fun-filled reception at The Grove Kitchen + Gardens.
Click below to register, and don't forget to reserve your hotel room at the Hilton Garden Inn before September 13 to receive the discounted group rate!
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Nominations Open for 2020-21 Board of Directors
The TMAA Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2020-21 Board of Directors. You can nominate yourself or your colleagues for the following positions:
● President-Elect
● Vice President of Communications
● Vice President of Community Health & Well Being
● Vice President of Fiscal Affairs (Treasurer)
● Vice President of Future Planning
● Vice President of Legislative and Political Action
● Vice President of Membership
● Vice President-Elect of Membership
● Recording Secretary
Click the button below to view the form, and free to share with members of your county.
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County Alliance Spotlight: Hidalgo-Starr Medical Alliance
This month, we want to shine the spotlight on the recently relaunched Hidalgo-Starr Medical Alliance (HSMA).
Last month, TMAA staff made their way to Edinburg for a relaunch reception for the Hidalgo-Starr Medical Alliance at the home of Dr. Linda Villarreal, chair of the TMA Board of Trustees. With more than 20 spouses/partners, physicians, and medical students in attendance, the event was a great success, resulting in the election of the four new Hidalgo-Starr officers. Congratulations to Nelly Padilla (president), Alex Aguirre (president-elect), Stephanie Davis (secretary), and Sandra Caballero (treasurer). We also want to give a big shout-out to past alliance leadership and to Sandra Esquivel, MD, for their hard work.
The newly relaunched alliance chapter is not wasting any time. Members have already started planning logistics for two events: a Hard Hats for Little Heads helmet giveaway and a Be Wise – ImmunizeSM event. We look forward to seeing what great things the Hidalgo-Starr Medical Alliance has in store for the coming year. Congratulations to the new officers and thank you to everyone who attended the reception.
Be Wise – Immunize is a service mark of the Texas Medical Association.
Around the State
On Wednesday, July 24, the Bell County Medical Alliance held its second Texas Book Share giveaway, in conjunction with Give More HUGS and Temple Children’s Museum. More than 100 books were “prescribed” to children by local physicians. Purchase of the books was made possible by a grant from the TMA Foundation.
Saturday, July 13, marked the Nueces County Medical Society’s 53rd Annual Health Fair, where Nueces County Medical Society Alliance members helped host a Hard Hats for Little Heads helmet giveaway. In addition to the helmets, the fair offered free physicals, immunizations, and demonstrations of new medical technology.
On Friday, August 2, the Brownsville Medical Alliance held its second annual Jump-a-thon, where members gave away free bikes and Hard Hats for Little Heads bicycle helmets, launched a Walk With A Doc program, and hosted more than 12 vendors focused on health and wellness. In addition to Hard Hats for Little Heads and Walk With a Doc, stations included first aid by a local ER doctor, bullying information from a counseling center, and an introductory boxing lesson with a former bully victim. More than 200 children participated in the event, and the alliance gave away 50 helmets, 5 lunch boxes, 200 packs of school supplies, 25 fishing poles, and 15 brand new bicycles to get kids outside and moving!
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Big News for Medical Student Scholarships!
If you raise money annually for a medical student scholarship, take note: The TMA Foundation will now match your scholarship up to $5,000. That’s right — if you plan to award a scholarship to a student attending a Texas medical school, that gift can now be doubled! Please contact
Pam Udall and let her know if you plan to raise money in 2019 or 2020 for a scholarship so she can help you double your impact. This matching opportunity will be available in early 2020.
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Medical School and Resident Outreach
This month, the TMA Alliance piloted an outreach project in Houston for medical students at UTHealth and Baylor College of Medicine. The outreach project was headed up by TMAA APT Chair Rowland Pettit, who attended the medical student orientations, handed out information about the Alliance, and promoted two student mixers the Alliance will host on August 27 and 28. Students were also encouraged to participate in Walk With a Future Doc and First Tuesdays in the Districts programs.
Mark Baerd, a new Alliance member in Houston, is heading up the outreach effort with Baylor College of Medicine residents, including a private TMAA Resident Facebook group, a mixer on August 29 at Miss Carousel in Houston, and a private tour of NASA’s Johnson Space Center on October 19.
The
Lubbock County Medical County Alliance continued its tradition of attending the Texas Tech University Health Science Center medical student orientation on Wednesday, July 31. Alliance members had a table during the orientation where they shared information about upcoming programs, as well as membership forms, so interested students could sign up right then and there. More than 81 students joined the alliance, where they will have the opportunity to participate in advocacy programs like First Tuesdays in the Districts, volunteer at local community health events, and network with established physicians in their area.
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Charting Medicine’s Statehouse Progress: A Successful Legislative Session for Physicians
TMA scored on a wide range of goals to improve the state’s medical landscape during this year’s session of the Texas Legislature. In public health, the House of Medicine convinced lawmakers that raising the age to purchase tobacco to 21 was the right thing for the state’s present and future. Medicine also successfully persuaded the legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott to improve insurance network adequacy and directories, which will help with surprise medical bills.
Read more.
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REGISTER NOW: TMAA Fall Conference
Join TMAA at our
2019 Fall Conference, September 12-13 in Bastrop. This is a great opportunity to network with your colleagues and attend TMAA and TMA business and policy meetings (TMA Fall Conference is September 13-14). While you’re there, join us at a TMAA-hosted happy hour for all physician spouses and partners on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 6 to 7:30 pm. You can register for the conference and reserve your hotel by clicking the link below.
If you sit on a TMA / TMAA Council or Committee, you will have received a notice from TMAA staff with information on your meeting date and time. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please email
sasha.khalifeh@texmed.org so staff can designate a substitute.
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Upcoming Events
August 6
Lubbock County Medical Alliance
Trampoline Social
6-8 pm @ Altitude Trampoline Park
August 10
Lubbock County Medical Alliance
Walk With a Doc
10 am @ Miller Park
August 17
Dallas County Medical Society Alliance
Community Health Fair
1-3 pm @ Church of the Incarnation (3966 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TX 75204)
September 7
Smith County Medical Society Alliance
ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk & Hard Hats for Little Heads
9 am @ The Village at Cumberland Park (8926 S. Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75703)
September 12
TMAA 2019 Fall Conference
TMAA Business Meetings
12:30-5 pm @ Hyatt Lost Pines
TMAA Happy Hour
6-7 pm @ Shellers Barrelhouse Bar
September 22
Lubbock County Medical Alliance
Ice Cream Social
3-5 pm @ Libby White’s residence
October 3
Smith County Medical Society Alliance
Heels for Healing
5-7:30 pm @ Mary V’s (7264 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, TX 75703)
October 10-11
2019 TMAA Regional Conference
Hilton Garden Inn Tyler (220 E. Grande Blvd., Tyler, TX 75703)
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