July 2022

Message from the TMA Alliance President
Have you visited a beach or hiked in the mountains this summer? Even if you have stayed close to home, have you planned a backyard party? I love the research I put into planning a get-together and family trips. I try to pack in an educational element, a spontaneous moment, and some amazing food. I also want to pretend I am a local and try to make every minute count.

All the planning people put into vacations and social occasions reminded me of the ways TMA Alliance members get ready for alliance activities and events. The TMA Alliance has been hard at work planning fun and educational events for all our members. That includes a series of County Leadership Listening Sessions, which start Sept. 20 and will be held on the third Tuesday of every month thereafter. Each one will be held from noon to 1 pm. Put these on your calendar because they’re a great way to meet county leaders across the state and exchange ideas. Even if you aren’t currently in a leadership position, you can come away with great information for use outside the alliance. Feel free to share any ideas you have for a monthly listening session.

Here are some other important aspects of the alliance to keep in mind this year:
  • Don’t forget to apply for the $1,000 Membership Incentive, which helps you recruit new members. It’s super easy. The link for the Membership Incentive Request form is on the TMA Alliance website. You can use these funds to underwrite programs for your alliance year.

  • Do you worry about creating the perfect invitation to your well-planned event? The TMAA staff is standing by to help your alliance chapter design and print event materials and get the word out. Be sure to start early so there is plenty of time to make those picture-perfect invitations.

  • Do you know a volunteer who really stands out in your alliance? If so, please consider nominating that person for the TMAA Board of Directors. Nominations aren’t due until March, but we are always looking for strong candidates. We would like to highlight the superstars in your local alliance, so share your amazing stories so we can recognize these members in the Monthly Memo, ALLMED, our annual convention.

  • If you haven’t planned your Hard Hats for Little Heads event for the year, please consider hosting one in October. TMAA and the TMA Foundation want to give away 2,500 helmets during October, so join the fun and help us reach our goal (see below). This program also educates the public about bike-related head injuries and how to prevent them with a helmet.

  • We are “welcoming back” our Regional Conference in Amarillo Oct. 13-14. The welcome reception Oct. 13 will be followed by learning and fellowship Oct. 14. Have you ever wondered how to boost your outreach with social media or what is the difference between a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(6)? Come learn that and so much more. Is there a topic you’d like to like to find out more about? Let me know and we will add it to our agenda. Remember: The Regional Conference is open to all alliance members.

Let’s keep planning for the future of our medical family. I hope your family’s summertime is amazing and that you’re enjoying all these months have to offer!

Libby White

 

DON’T MISS OUT: Apply for the Membership Incentive Program

County alliance chapters can apply for up to $1,000 per year from the TMA Alliance for membership recruitment and retention events. Here's how you can apply:

  • Fill out our form online.
  • Once your request is approved, the TMA Alliance will send you the funding. Note: You no longer have to send in your receipts for payment.

Membership Incentive Program Highlight

The Travis County Medical Alliance & Foundation held a celebratory welcome happy hour for new members and returning members May 24. Through the Membership Incentive Program (see above), members were able to cover the costs of invitations, postage, custom wine glasses, food, and beverages for the event.

 


HELMET GIVEAWAY: Plan Your October Hard Hats for Little Heads Event
TMA is preparing to give away 2,500 helmets to Texas kids in October to celebrate the 28th year of Hard Hats for Little Heads. That’s right – alliance members, physicians, and medical students have given away more than 360,000 helmets to Texas children over nearly three decades. Join the birthday celebration and plan your event today.

Find out more: Email Jose Melendez at TMA or call him at (512) 370-1390 to request an event starter packet or ask questions.

 

DON’T FORGET: TMA Alliance Fall Conference
Join the TMA Alliance for the 2022 Fall Conference at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, Sept. 15-17 in Bastrop. This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues and attend alliance business meetings. While you’re there, join us for a TMAA-hosted happy hour and campfire event. Reserve your hotel room today.


Create a Healthy Future with a TMAF Grant

Help your community be healthier with a TMA Foundation (TMAF) grant by applying to the TMAF Medical Community Grant Program.

TMAF accepts applications from TMA county medical societies as well as alliance and medical student chapters for community health improvement programs focused on TMA priorities in public health and science. TMAF also accepts applications that address population health, medical education, and quality of care.

Programs that deal with behavioral health topics (such as mental health, substance use disorders, family violence, suicide prevention, or adverse childhood experiences) are encouraged, and physician health and wellness programs are a priority. Society and alliance chapters may apply for up to $7,500 in matching funds from the TMAF Medical Community Grant Program, and medical student chapters may apply for up to $3,000 in matching funds from the TMAF Medical Student Community Leadership Grants Program.

There are two deadlines to provide applicants greater flexibility:
  • July 31 for funding in mid-October.
  • Nov. 30 for funding mid-February.
The TMA Foundation accepts applications through its online portal. Go to the TMAF website to learn how to apply!

 

County Roundup

On June 9, the Nueces County Medical Society Alliance held a county alliance breakfast for members followed by a learning session that included tips on how to take care of plants – just in time for summer gardening!

On June 18, the Lubbock County Medical Society Alliance gave away 100 bicycle helmets to Lubbock children at the city’s Juneteenth Health Fair, which was held in conjunction with TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program.

On June 30, the Smith County Medical Society Alliance launched its Texas BookShare program by unveiling a book vending machine. Children will receive a token for the machine after visiting with their physician, and then they can use the token to get a brand new book. Texas BookShare encourages children to adopt reading and learn important tips about growing a garden, eating healthy, and exercise.

 

PPO Health Insurance for Small Practice LLC Owners
Many physicians and practice owners prefer group PPO plans because of their flexibility and comprehensive coverage. Physicians who have set up their practice as a limited liability corporation (LLC) may not have employees and therefore may think PPO health insurance isn’t an option. However, you may not have to settle for an HMO anymore. TMA Insurance Trust has found solutions that can help put PPO coverage within reach. Check out PPO Health Insurance For Small Practice LLC Owners (tmait.org).

 


Burnout is a National Problem. The TMA Wellness Fund Can Help

In a recent advisory calling attention to health care worker burnout from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, stated: “We must ensure that every health worker has access to affordable, confidential, and convenient mental health care.”

If finances are keeping you or someone you know from seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, substance use, or other conditions, the TMA’s PBF Wellness Fund is here to help.

Through the fund, physicians with a valid Texas medical license can receive financial support for the treatment of conditions that impair their ability to practice medicine safely. In addition, qualifying physicians can receive financial support to cover their family’s living expenses while undergoing treatment.

In the surgeon general’s advisory, Addressing Health Worker Burnout, Dr. Murthy proposed a variety of approaches to aid the 35% to 54% of physicians and nurses, and 45% to 60% of medical students and residents, reporting symptoms of burnout. He called for individuals, health care organizations, academic institutions, government, and other stakeholders to help address the problem.

The advisory’s recommendations include:
  • Eliminating punitive policies for seeking care for mental health and substance-use disorders.
  • Normalizing conversations about mental health challenges, including suicide, in health care learning environments to foster a culture of support and awareness.
  • Ensuring access to mental health services for health care workers and their families, including the use of telemedicine.

Contact TMA if you or someone you know could benefit from the PBF Wellness Fund. Email Chris Johnson, PBF director, or call her at (512) 370-1602 with questions. Or, complete an application. TMA strives to protect the anonymity of fund recipients.

Contributions from physicians and their spouses support the fund. If you want to help, make a secure online donation or send a check to the PBF Wellness Fund, Attn: TMA Finance Department, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701-1680.

The PBF is a 501(c)(3) organization, so charitable contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by federal law.