May 2019

 

• President's Message
• First Tuesdays at the Capitol
• Last Chance to Register for ALLMED 2019
• 2019 Membership Drive: We're Almost There
• Around The State
• Reminders

I’ll be passing the reins and saying “goodbye” but I’m not leaving anytime soon. Our organization has a wonderful step-down process for outgoing presidents. So for me, after ALLMED, I have three years of advisory duties including leading our delegation to AMAA in Chicago, chairing the nominating committee at fall conference, and working with the budget subcommittee.

Sunshine

 

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First Tuesdays at the Capitol

Congratulations! First Tuesdays at the Capitol achieved a recording-breaking attendance this year with more than 1,300 physicians, alliance members, and medical students making the trek to Austin to meet with their legislators. Your time and commitment made an incredible IMPACT.

Next up: First Tuesdays in District – a new TMAA grassroots advocacy program launching in September. Look for more information next month.

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Last chance to Register for ALLMED 2019

Register

For information on ALLMED scheduling, visit our online agenda.

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2019 Membership Drive: We're Almost There

More than 87% of TMAA members have renewed their membership for 2019 – have you signed up for 2019 yet? Only 275 more renewals will take us to 100%. You can update your membership online by clicking on the “Renew” button at www.texmedalliance.org. All you have to do is fill out your username (email address) and password (seven characters). If you don’t remember your password, simply click on “Forgot password?” and create a new one. Even easier, just call the TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955.

If you run into any problems with online registration, please let Pam Udall know at pam.udall@texmed.org so TMA can fix the issue. Please help us reach our membership goal by May 31.

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Around The State

Even though the weather was miserable and rainy, Bexar County Medical Society Alliance (BCMSA) and Bexar County Medical Society members, and more than a dozen high school student volunteers showed up in force Saturday, April 8, to give free bicycle helmets to children at the Rudder Middle School Spring Fest.

The alliance partnered with the school once again – making this the third year in a row students received helmets through Texas Medical Association’s Hard Hats for Little Heads helmet giveaway program. “Rudder Middle School’s students are so deserving of the free helmets, as many are from low-income families or are refugees,” said Varda Ratner, vice president of civic and philanthropic for BCMSA.

Volunteers gave out and fitted around 40 helmets. “Almost every child wanted a helmet, and each one was very excited and grateful,” Varda said. “One girl who received a helmet last year wanted another because she had fallen while riding her bike and damaged it. She knew it was important to replace it, which is what we tell the kids when handing them out.

“I love this event and kids. It’s really exciting to realize that more than 140 helmets have been given away at Rudder Middle School over the past three years,” added Varda. “We are very grateful to TMAA for its Hard Hats for Little Heads helmet match!”

The Harris County Medical Society Alliance (HCMSA) celebrated its 100th year of service April 5. The alliance’s primary focus has been raising funds for nursing and medical school scholarships. Over the years, HCMSA’s philanthropic efforts have raised more than $1.6 million dollars.

The 100th celebration was a huge hit filled with beautiful music and a visit from Elvis himself. The alliance honored all its past presidents along with Harris County Medical Society’s 2019 President Bernard Gerber, MD, and CEO Greg Bernica. Seventeen HCMSA past presidents joined the celebration.

The Lubbock County Medical Society Alliance toured the school garden at Christ the King Cathedral School on April 11. Afterwards, Jessica Caroom gave suggestions on how to incorporate more fruits and vegetables in our diet.

Nueces County Medical Alliance (NCMA) held its officer installation on April 27. New board members were ushered in with a white rose while departing board members received a pink rose. Amanda Cutbirth is the 2019-20 NCMA president. Two NCMA members also were recognized with NCMA’s top awards. Peggy May, the alliance historian for many years, received the Shining Star award. Peggy showcased the history of NCMSA at the Southern Medical Association Alliance annual meeting in Florida, where her project won first place. She also helped TMAA with its centennial program last year. Sunshine Moore received the Love award for her long-standing commitment to NCMSA, serving in many county and state board positions – currently as president of TMAA.

Congratulations LiYu Mitchell, MD, on the completion of her 100th Walk With a Doc walk! As a Smith County Medical Society and Smith County Medical Society Alliance member, Dr. Mitchell has worked tirelessly to make this program a reality in Tyler. Dr. Mitchell held her 100th walk with around 100 folks attending in support of the program and with a desire to get and stay healthy. Thanks to all alliance and society members who showed up.

The Tarrant County Medical Alliance held The Rat Pack Is in Vegas, Baby – its 10th annual Medicine Ball – on March 30, a fantastic evening of dinner, dancing, and casino at Ridglea Country Club. A very big congratulations to Medicine Ball Chair Marisa Pena and President Margaret McDonald and to the very hard-working ladies of the Medicine Ball Committee: Layna Chase, Christel Chase, Mary Ann Shelton, Kelly Parsley, Shelley Roaten, Jessica Fiesta, Ashley Pettibon, Lori Urso, Angela Donahue, Suzanne Wood, Kathy Coleman, Tricia Schniederjan, Caryl Cochrum, Heather Collinge, Cheryl McDonald, Lisa Queralt, Courtney Mitchell, Linda Kennedy, Mindy Butler, Michelle Marlow, Duffy Bloemendal, Jennifer Ledbetter, Brenda Pender, Beverlee Herd, and Margaret Dearden.

The Travis County Medical Alliance (TCMA) partied like “flock stars.” TCMA held its annual Party With a Purpose with a Let’s Flamingle! theme on March 30. It was a great time with a good cause! A big thank you to Christi and Kevin Bozic for opening up their beautiful house to TCMA and to Lori Benold for chairing the event!

Money raised at the event was given to grant recipients at TCMA’s general meeting on April 16, held at the historic Caswell House. TCMA handed out checks totaling $53,000! Thank you to Beth O’Farrell for her hard work, Janet Schneider for fundraising, and every member of TCMA who donated money to the fund drive.

TCMA also recognized Volunteer of the Year Lori Benold. Lori is a new member who chaired the 2019 Party With a Purpose. She will also serve next year as vice president of programs.

In addition, six honorary members were recognized for their hard work over many years, and Patty Loose was named as a new honorary member. Patty has served as the president at the county and state levels and in multiple other board positions. She is currently very involved with TMAA as First Tuesdays at the Capitol chair and with TEXPAC, and soon she will help head up First Tuesdays in the District.

At the meeting TCMA also held its traditional pinning ceremony with Melissa Smith, immediate past president, pinning incoming the president, Wendy Propst.

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Reminders

Share your success. Send us your news. We want to promote your events, membership highlights, and advocacy activities. Send a short paragraph describing your activity and photos for use in TMAA Monthly Memo and TMAA’s Facebook page. Send your stories to Elizabeth Vanexan.

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