March 2021
President's Message
The winter freeze of 2021 was epic. Snow in South Texas is usually celebrated: For instance, on the night of Feb. 14, when snow began falling in San Antonio, some of our neighbor’s children who had never seen snow were out building snowmen and playing in it. Then came the power outages and water shortages, which took all the fun away. It snowed again all day on the 18th, but no one was enjoying it.
During the storm, I realized how much I take for granted on a daily basis, from simple things like turning on a light to having heat in my home or clean water flowing freely from my pipes. All these are considered essential to our lives. Without power, I could not communicate with the outside world. I felt isolated.
This brings me to the importance of grassroots advocacy. When people feel isolated, like no one is listening to them, we have the power to help make voices heard. Advocacy is essential for the Family of Medicine. We are the voice of medicine for our patients, their families, and our practices.
The first step in advocacy is to build a strong relationship with your legislators and their staff. Here are a few tips I have found helpful in accomplishing this goal:
- Find out who represents you. Know their names, email addresses, and phone numbers.
- Realize legislators are people too. They have families, hobbies, likes, and dislikes. They have chosen public office to serve you.
- Investigate your legislators’ bills, especially those that relate to medicine or improve the health of your district.
- Events are a great way to learn more about your legislators and their staff. Attend fundraisers, invite them to dinner, or better yet, pay them a visit at their district office.
- Never argue with your legislators or their staff.
- Diligence pays off. Spend time getting to know local, state, and national issues impacting medicine, then wrap that issue around a personal story you can discuss with your legislator when the time is right. When a bill comes up on the House or Senate floor related to medicine, the legislator pulls the file to see how his or her local physicians and alliance members stand. Did they weigh in with their support or opposition by phone, by email, or with an office visit? If legislators don’t hear from YOU – their local constituents – they assume we don’t care about the bill. Our voices do matter, and they do make a difference.
- Show your appreciation and gratitude. A thank-you note or email helps build relationships.
Let’s continue our tradition of advocacy for our communities and the Family of Medicine through virtual events, like the alliance First Tuesdays at the Capitol event that was held March 2, and the First Tuesdays events to come. We have the power to have our voices heard. Just as we all have endured this winter storm, we are stronger together.
Martha Vijjeswarapu
TMA Alliance 2020-21 President
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Now Accepting Submissions for TMAA Awards
Each year, the TMA Alliance recognizes outstanding county alliances that make a difference in their community and state. If you would like your county to be considered for a TMAA award, please complete and submit an application via the links below. Awards applications are due March 31.
Advocates of Health: Outstanding local community health project
Alliance Innovation Award: Best innovation practice(s)
Dedication to the Mission: Outstanding execution of a state health improvement initiative
Durham Award for Membership: Best overall county membership campaign
Mary Ann Homer Legislative and Political Action Award: Outstanding legislative or political action effort
Winners will be recognized during the TMAA Annual Business Meeting on May 13. For more information, as well as a list of 2020 winners, head to our website.
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Save the Date: TMAA Annual Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, May 13, from 10 am to noon. Please use the link below to register for the meeting, and encourage your fellow members to sign up. Remember: All alliance members are welcome – and highly encouraged – to attend the meeting!
Register
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Register for First Tuesdays
The 2021 Texas legislative session is like no other, but First Tuesdays at the Capitol is still going strong. With virtual meetings, lobbying your legislator has never been easier … or safer. Join TMA and the TMA Alliance on the first Tuesday of each month during the session for a virtual legislative update. TMA’s lobby team will outline issues important to medicine and actions you can take now to make a difference.
Registration is FREE. Sign up below for upcoming First Tuesdays events, and visit the TMA Legislative page for more information.
April 6 – May 4
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March Enrichment Series: Health and Wellness
Join us on Thursday, March 18, at noon for a free one-hour TMAA Enrichment Series webinar. Tom Warren, MD, of Warren Wellness will define what wellness and health actually mean and how they are integrated, with a focus on physical fitness to improve our overall wellness. This will be a live, interactive presentation, and discussion is encouraged throughout.
Thursday, March 18
Noon-1 pm
Register
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Start Your Own Texas BookShare Program
Thanks to the generosity of the TMA Foundation, TMAA now has funds to help five county chapters start their own BookShare program.
Chapters that start a new program each will receive $2,000, enough to purchase 500 books. For counties that have an existing program in place, TMAA will match funds up to $500.
The BookShare program promotes healthy habits in children of all ages by supplying them with books on topics like the importance of physical activity, growing fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a healthy diet. County chapters partner with local pediatricians and family doctors to distribute the books to young patients, and each book includes a personal message from an alliance member written inside. To learn more about the program and request to open a program, visit our website. We have matching funds left for a couple more counties, so don’t delay!
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County Spotlight: Travis County Medical Alliance
Founded in 1924, the Travis County Medical Alliance (TCMA) is looking forward to its centennial celebration in just a few more years. Originally formed as the Travis County Medical Society Auxiliary, its earliest members set a tremendous example for today’s advocacy when they worked for a pure milk supply. Since that time, members have never faltered in their commitment to making Central Texans healthier. Campaigns to vaccinate schoolchildren against smallpox in 1929, to treat ALL citizens with tuberculosis in 1935, and to support the Red Cross during World War II kept members busy working for the health of the community. In 1955, the organization began sponsoring the public school district’s annual science fair competition and has continued the tradition for more than 65 years. Healthfest, including a fun run, became the auxiliary’s signature event in 1982 and ran for 14 years. Throughout the ’90s and into 2000, projects centered on preventing teen pregnancy, domestic violence, and bullying. Reminiscent of its work with Hurricane Katrina refugees in 2005, the alliance today finds itself assisting with COVID-19 vaccination clinics and delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) to physician offices across central Texas, along with maintaining efforts to fund community service grants, cooking meals for mothers and children of St. Louise House, and supporting the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic. The auxiliary formally changed its name to the Travis County Medical Alliance in 1992, quickly aligning with the TMA Alliance and the American Medical Association Alliance. In 2016, TCMA confirmed there was a legal need to split its organization into two, establishing the alliance as a 501(c)(6) and the TCMA Foundation as a 501(c)(3).
The Travis County Medical Alliance’s mission to improve the health of central Texans and to support the Family of Medicine through advocacy and fellowship is more vital than ever as the world and the local community battles through the COVID-19 pandemic. Members currently address their mission through community service, enrichment, and advocacy activities.
Of course, communication is vital. TCMA maintains a comprehensive website, tcmalliance.org. On it, members can easily find links to renew membership; register and buy tickets for upcoming events; and obtain information about programs, committees, and activities. Additionally, an e-newsletter, Vital Signs, is distributed to all members on Sunday evenings. It is a tool to publicize timely events, recognize donors and sponsors, and alert members to calls for action.
Efforts to retain and recruit members this year continue with a 97% renewal rate. Using a grant from TMAA, the executive board delivered Valentine thank-you gifts and a note of gratitude for being a valued part of the alliance. The general membership meetings have taken place via Zoom and included cooking classes and talks on mindfulness. Virtual meetings have been well attended, and TCMA members are appreciative of the efforts to keep everyone safely “together.”
In a more normal year, TCMA would also host live signature social events such as Toast to Doctors in the fall and Holiday Luncheon in December. The Toast was canceled, but the holiday event took place virtually and included prizes and fun holiday sweaters. Decorated cookies were dropped at members’ doors, and books and financial donations were collected for BookSpring. Party With a Purpose, which is the biggest fundraiser, will take place virtually this year on April 10, featuring the Texas Springtime Roundup program to raise money for grants.
Enrichment groups are another way members stay in touch and feel a part of the organization. Book Review continues its monthly reading list and brilliant discussions via Zoom. Alliance Arts has even managed to meet in an appropriate socially distant way, having a yoga experience at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden in the fall. Austin Adventures, Mahjong, Chic Ladies, and Matinee Movies are looking forward to a time that allows in-person gatherings once again. These enrichment committees play an integral role in connecting members with one another and creating meaningful friendships.
For many members, TCMA’s community service projects are the reason for belonging. Service committees prepare and deliver meals to families at St. Louise House, provide funding and medical supplies for clients of the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic, and distribute Hard Hats for Little Heads bike helmets at health fairs and other appropriate venues. This year, the alliance collaborated with an indigent care clinic in Round Rock, Williamson County Medical Alliance members, the TMA Foundation, The University of Texas (UT) School of Nursing, and CareVans to immunize 290 people at a fall flu shot clinic. Most recently, members have found it gratifying to work alongside the Travis County Medical Society and Code4 to immunize physicians and staff at six COVID-19 shot clinics. These clinics allowed physicians, dentists, and staff without access to a hospital to be vaccinated. In addition, many members have volunteered to deliver PPE on behalf of the county medical society. Physicians are so grateful they can continue seeing patients while alliance members travel out to their offices from Williamson County to far south Travis County with loads of gowns, masks, gloves, and the like. TCMA stays engaged with other parts of the Austin community through its long-time sponsorship of the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair and nursing scholarships awarded to Hispanic students at Concordia University and the UT School of Nursing.
Members of TCMA have always made a good showing at the Texas Medical Association’s First Tuesdays at the Capitol events. Of course, living in the capital city makes advocacy easy! Since 2005, TCMA has hosted biennial receptions in physician homes with 14 central Texas legislators. Unfortunately, the pandemic did not allow for the event this year. Not to be deterred, members of the alliance participate with physicians on First Tuesdays in the Districts Zoom calls and stay in touch about the latest political goings-on. Members talk politics, current events, good governance, and have “Wait, wait, don’t tell me!” contests.
The Travis County Medical Alliance enjoys a special relationship with the Travis County Medical Society. Both are supportive of the other’s activities, offering manpower, financial contributions, and advice when requested. An example is the financial support the alliance provides the TCMS Physician Wellness Program. This year, the initiative will benefit from proceeds raised at Party With a Purpose. Since 1998, the alliance and society have held a joint installation of their boards. The society also invites the alliance president to make a report at its monthly board meetings. These activities, along with recent vaccinations clinics and PPE delivery, demonstrate the partnership both organizations treasure.
Travis County Medical Alliance members are well-educated, talented, successful physician spouses who are dedicated to improving the health of central Texans and to supporting the Family of Medicine through advocacy and fellowship. Friendships grow strong, and the community is made healthier through the work of its members.
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Last Chance to Renew Your Membership
March 31 is the final date for TMA Alliance members to pay 2021 dues. Members who have not paid by the end of this month will see their membership lapse. If you know of fellow alliance members who have been putting it off, please encourage them to get their payment in as soon as possible to avoid being dropped as a member.
Recruiting new members into the alliance is also vital to the health of the organization. Ask your friends and colleagues to join – you can even gift their first year of membership so they can see firsthand all the TMA Alliance has to offer.
The final renewal statements go out next week. Members with an email address on file will receive an email with a personalized link to log in and pay dues. All you need to do is click the link, enter credit card information, and submit. [Note: Please do not forward this email to your colleagues, as the email is personalized to your account only.] Members without an email will receive a mailed invoice.
Each county that achieves a renewal rate of 95% or higher will receive an award of $500 to use for membership development, so get those dues checks in before March 31!
There are three ways to pay:
- Online at www.texmedalliance.org (you will need your login information).
- Call TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955 with credit card information.
- Mail a check to TMA Alliance, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701 (made out to TMA Alliance).
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Grant Funds Available for Your COVID-19 Programs
TMA county medical societies, and alliance and medical student chapters are encouraged to apply for a TMA Foundation (TMAF) grant of up to $2,500 in matching funds for programs that address issues in their community during the current pandemic. Deadline for applications is March 31. Programs designed to improve the health of your community including testing, education, and more are encouraged.
To apply, login to theTMA Foundation’s Grant Portal (may require creating an account if this is your first time applying to TMAF). Please contact TMAF’s Sean Dunham at sean.dunham@texmed.org if you need assistance or have questions.
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"See" Your Friends and Colleagues at TMAF's Gala
Celebrate physicians and members of the health care team who are providing compassionate care and science-based education during this prolonged pandemic at the Texas Medical Association Foundation’s (TMAF) 28th annual gala, Superheroes: Meeting the Challenge, on Friday, May 14, 7-8:15 pm, during TMA’s TexMed.
Join gala co-chairs TMA Immediate Past President David Fleeger, MD, and his wife, Jamie, and Belda Zamora, MD, and her husband, F. Javier Otero, MD, all of Austin, by purchasing your ticket or table today.
Visit with colleagues and unwind from a busy week with an online auction, special guest messages and tributes, and entertainment by musicians from the Live Music Capital of the World. TMAF’s virtual gala is the perfect way to support TMA’s philanthropic arm and the critically needed public health and prevention programs it funds, including TMA’s new powerfully relevant campaign, Vaccines Defend What Matters. Enjoy the comfort of your favorite chair at home and in your most comfortable celebratory attire.
Individual tickets are $275 each, and VIP tickets are $325 each. All guests have the option to receive a party box with goodies to enjoy during the gala. VIP guests will receive recognition in the gala program, TMAF newsletter, and at the gala. Virtual tables for individuals start at $2,500.
For more information or to purchase tickets or a sponsorship, visit our website, or contact TMAF at (800) 880-1330, ext. 1664, or (512) 370-1664.
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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.
March 18, Noon-1 pm
Online Enrichment Series
How to Improve Health Through Physical Fitness
With Tom Warren, MD, of Warren Wellness
Register
April 15, Noon-1 pm
Online Enrichment Series
TBA
May 13, 10 am-Noon
TMAA Annual Business Meeting
Register
Have an event in your county that you would like advertised? Send details to sasha.khalifeh@texmed.org!
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