July 2021
President's Message
We bought a ranch last year. The closing was mid-pandemic, but the plan had been in place for months prior. The property had belonged to a family member who was ready to simplify her life, and we couldn’t stand to see it slip away; we’ve been taking our little family there for birthdays, holidays, and family reunions for as long as we could remember, and many happy memories are set on that specific acreage.
To get to the house from the farm-to-market highway, you cruise up a half-mile driveway, usually past a herd of cattle on either side (and in the way), and cross the bridge over McCain Creek. The creek is usually just a trickle of water at that point, but the ravine is formidable.
Constructed of some clay covered by a layer of asphalt over two steel culvert pipes, the bridge has caused us concern in the past, especially after a big rain. We have been dreaming of the new bridge that we would build when the timing and finances allowed. It would be beautiful and secure – someday in the future.
Well, the original bridge is gone now. The heavy rains that blanketed Central Texas the week after Memorial Day caused McCain Creek to swell and flood to the point of completely washing out the bridge. We have all the bad emotions about this situation: shock, grief, anger, frustration, fear, anxiety. ... This was not the timing we had in mind for building a new bridge. It feels unfair.
Not long after the bridge incident, the TMA Alliance Board of Directors met virtually for our first in a series of “onBOARDing” sessions. We heard from author and grief specialist Gary Roe, who spoke about his research regarding grief and loss and his finding that, basically, all of our psychological and emotional “issues” (e.g., depression, anxiety, anger, etc.) can be traced back to some sort of loss or losses that we have experienced, but inadequately identified and released. I encourage all members to look at Gary’s website for some excellent resources. He promised to pursue writing curricula and literature specifically for the medical community in the coming months.
As my husband, Cannon, pointed out in the aftermath of losing the bridge, perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise. We have no choice but to move forward with creating a plan for a new, stronger bridge that can last (hopefully) for many generations to follow. I know we all have areas in our own lives, in our communities, in our medical families, that could use some releasing, restructuring, and rebuilding. Future generations are counting on us.
Jennifer Lewis
TMA Alliance President 2021-22
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Around the State
With vaccination rates rising and the world slowly reopening, alliance chapters across the state have begun hosting events for the first time in months.
In Wichita Falls, Wichita County Medical Alliance held the grand opening of the Doctor’s Park Splash Pad. Doctor’s Park, located within Hamilton Park, was originally built in 2017 with funds raised by the alliance. Soon after the park’s opening, alliance leadership began plans for opening a splash pad, and funds were raised before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pad opened June 24, just in time for the community to enjoy it this summer!
In the Panhandle, Lubbock County Medical Society Alliance joined up with East Lubbock Community Alliance for their annual Juneteenth celebration. The event, which took place June 17-19, featured a health fair in which alliance members handed out bike helmets and immunization information. In addition to live music, games, and a parade, COVID-19 vaccinations and free health screenings were also available to the community. Kudos to the Lubbock community for hosting such a fantastic celebration!
In Austin, Travis County Medical Alliance held a casual wine night for new and prospective members. This was the first opportunity for many new members to meet their fellow alliance members face to face, and the first of many more celebrations over the coming year.
Meanwhile, in Corpus Christi, Nueces County Medical Society Alliance received an award of recognition from George Evans Elementary School for its adopt-a-school partnership. Over the past year, the alliance has provided free books, hygiene kits, and holiday stockings to students of the school. Physicians in the county also participate in a Reading Partners program at the school, opening up the ongoing partnership to the whole Family of Medicine.
As restrictions continue to ease, we can’t wait to see what other events our counties put together. Be sure to share your upcoming festivities, volunteer programs, and educational opportunities with TMAA staff so we can showcase the good work going on in your county!
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Launch Your Texas BookShare Program
Through the generosity of the TMA Foundation, TMAA has funds to support new and existing Texas BookShare programs. New counties can apply for up to $2,000 in grant funding, and existing programs will receive $500 in matching funds. To apply, simply fill out the form online, and TMAA staff will reach out to you with more information.
The Texas BookShare program, launched by TMAA in 2019, provides free educational books on healthy eating, physical activity, nutrition, self-esteem, and other health-related topics to children in underserved areas of the state. Books are available in English and Spanish and for all grade levels. The program is an easy way to promote health literacy among underserved families and get books into the hands of children all over Texas. Launch yours today!
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Local Impact Grants Available for Vaccine Programs
TMA’s Vaccines Defend What Matters (VDWM) campaign has made tremendous progress over the past year. Launched in November 2020, the multimedia education and advocacy effort is designed to help Texans overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in Texas. To date, the VDWM campaign has reached more than 700,000 viewers on social media. About 17,000 people – 91% being new visitors – have visited the VDWM webpage. You can use the campaign’s graphics on your social media channels too.
In addition, the TMA Foundation awarded Local Impact Grants to programs in Dallas, El Paso Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, and San Antonio, and all had plans to reach dozens to hundreds of individuals with either direct vaccination or vaccine education.
Check out the campaign’s new resources:
The TMA Foundation offers grants of up to $3,500 to fund vaccination activities, educational resources, and community outreach events. You can apply for Local Impact Grant funding now.
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TMA Foundation Grant Opportunities
The TMA Foundation offers a variety of funding opportunities to members of the TMA and TMAA Family of Medicine for programs that address the needs in their communities. County medical societies may apply for up to $7,500 in matching funds from the TMAF Medical Community Grant Program. Submit a letter of inquiry to be sure your program qualifies and then submit your application by July 31. Apply through TMAF’s Grants Portal.
Please note that this funding opportunity is separate from the Physicians Health and Wellness funding that several county societies applied for and received for wellness programs. The TMAF Medical Community Grant program is the foundation’s is regular, annual grant opportunity. Programs must align with TMA’s population health, science, medical education, and quality of care priorities, which are listed in the grants portal and application. There are two application deadlines each year, and the first one this year is July 31.
Questions? Contact TMAF at (512) 370-1664 or sean.dunham@texmed.org.
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Fall Conference
After more than a year of being unable to see one another in person and celebrate, TMA and TMAA are pleased to host Fall Conference at Hyatt Lost Pines Sept. 16-18. It’s going to be a weekend full of fun, including a TMAA cocktail hour on Thursday evening, the TMAA Awards Brunch on Friday morning, and a cookout for the whole Family of Medicine on Friday evening. For the full schedule of TMAA events, visit our website. Register and book your hotel room below – we can’t wait to see you there!
Registration Hotel
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Upcoming Events
In addition to the events below, please be sure to check out our calendar, where you can sort events by county. If your chapter has an upcoming event you would like featured, email details (date, time, location, ticket prices, description) to Sasha.
Sept. 16-18
Fall Conference
Register
Have an event in your county that you would like advertised? Send details to sasha.khalifeh@texmed.org!
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