November 2021
President's Message
Fall is my favorite season. I love the colors, the clothes and shoes, the food, the cooling temperatures (my mom calls it “fair weather,” because she grew up going to the State Fair in Dallas), and the anticipation of the holidays. With Thanksgiving coming up, I have been thinking about the traditions we have as a family and how we will integrate those traditions in the home my family just moved into. As our grown children continue to mature, increasing in their independence and starting their own families, we will need to adapt and create a place of belonging in this new space so they feel welcome.
The Texas Medical Association Alliance (TMAA) has heard wonderful speakers talk about self-care – the importance of it and how to accomplish it. My dad recently shared an article from The Atlantic with me and my siblings about how “other care” – taking care of other people – produces even greater results than self-care in improving an overall sense of peace and well-being. One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories with my family involved working at Community First! Village in Austin – a place that helps people emerge from chronic homelessness – and then sharing a meal with its residents. It was amazing to watch my dad, my husband, and all of the grandkids working side-by-side. They were directed by members of that community – people determined to escape the cycle of homelessness. We loved listening to their stories as we shared a meal together. I left feeling inspired.
One of my favorite aspects of the TMAA is our shared value of “other care.” I have witnessed incredible forward movement in community outreach and membership engagement as well as resourcefulness in identifying the needs in our communities, in spite of personal change and stress. County chapters have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, Texas BookShare, Hard Hats for Little Heads, Party of Medicine, and other programs. Our chapters’ innovation and activism are stronger than ever.
Please continue to celebrate your victories, take care of your current members, and take inventory of your celebrations. Remember that most everyone is struggling right now in one way or another. Members and non-members alike need support, community, and belonging, and the TMAA is a great place for them to find it.
All my best for a much-needed Thanksgiving celebration with your family and friends,
Jennifer Lewis
TMA Alliance President, 2021-22
Save the Date: TMA Foundation Gala
The TMA Foundation's 29th annual gala fundraiser helps make TMA's population health, science, and quality-of-care programs possible.
The 2022 gala is co-chaired by TMAA member Diane Moy and her husband Clifford Moy, MD, along with Carla Ortique, MD, and her husband, former Judge Morris Overstreet, all of Houston. The gala will be held during TMA’s TexMed and TMAA’s AllMed annual meetings in April 2022 in Houston.
The theme, “Crossroads of Culture,” will celebrate Houston as the most diverse city in the U.S and recognize the initiatives funded by the Texas Medical Association Foundation that address the urgent health needs of an increasingly diverse Texas population. Learn more and meet the co-chairs.
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Push Your Reset Button
We were fortunate to have Anne Grady, a fantastic motivational speaker, address the Alliance in September. Her speech followed the TMAA Annual Awards. If you didn’t have the chance to hear Anne’s presentation, “Resilience Reset,” you can listen to it here. (Use this password: TMAA2021!) This video is available until Nov. 15, so don’t delay! It was an excellent presentation and well worth watching.
You can learn more about Anne and purchase her books and workbooks on her website.
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Holiday Sharing Card
Thanksgiving is a time of sharing and giving. Please consider a gift of $25 or more to the TMAA’s Holiday Sharing Card fundraiser? Now in its 27th year, this appeal supports the TMA Foundation and your favorite TMAA programs –Texas BookShare, Vaccines Defend What Matters, Walk With a Doc, and Hard Hats for Little Heads. Participate in this year’s fundraiser with a tax-deductible donation and help us reach our goal of $5,000. Donate now.
Pair a Bike Helmet with Local Holiday Gift Giveaways
The season of giving approaches, and pairing helmets with bikes given through local toy distributions is an easy way to spread joy – and safety – to local children. TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads is here to help you provide the helmet.
Since 2010, the Harris County Medical Society Alliance has given helmets in conjunction with CYCLE Houston, an organization dedicated to improving literacy across the Harris County area by giving kids bikes for achieving their goals. Alliance members also usually are on hand at participating schools to fit helmets during the annual giveaway day in December.
“Alliance members who have participated find great satisfaction that we are helping reward the children for their hard work and that we’re helping protect them from injury in the event of a bike accident,” said Peggy Rittenhouse, a Harris County Medical Society Alliance member and coordinator of the CYCLE Houston project for many years.
The Smith County Medical Society and Alliance have made the Salvation Army Angel Tree project in Tyler a holiday tradition. Last year the groups supplied nearly 600 bike helmets for local children.
“It is very gratifying to know the helmets were given to kids of low-income families when they received their bike at Christmas time,” said Debbie Pitts, Smith County Medical Society Alliance member.
When you purchase helmets, TMA boosts your giving power with a match of helmets ( up to 50). Helmets cost $9.35 each (including shipping). TMA also has free educational materials in English and Spanish to support your event.
While supplies last, alliances in an eight-county area around San Antonio can receive free helmets until the end of the year because of a unique 2021 offer. A grant from Baptist Health Foundation of San Antonio supports Hard Hats events in these counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson.
Whether this is your first or annual holiday helmet giveaway, start planning now. To receive an order packet, email Tammy Wishard, TMA outreach coordinator, or call her at 512-370-1470.
Hard Hats for Little Heads is supported in 2021 with a grant from the TMA Foundation with major support from an anonymous TMA/TMAA member donor couple.
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2022 Membership Renewal Season in Full Swing
Each year at this time, Alliance members are asked to renew their memberships and help new members to join. You should have received either a renewal notice by email (if we have your email address) or by mail. Thanks to everyone who has renewed already. If you have any questions or would like help renewing your dues, please contact the TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955. Gerry, Gay, and Claire are standing by to help.
The full billing schedule is below, so you can plan your local membership drives around these important dates.
A few things to note:
- Physician members will not receive a TMA Alliance statement until January.
- Both resident and medical student memberships are now free! If you know of a medical student or resident who is trying to join and is being charged, please have them email or call the TMA Knowledge Center and we will make sure any charges are corrected.
| Date |
Method |
| Nov. 29 |
Emailed statement |
| Jan. 17 |
Mailed statement and Emailed statement (first statement for physicians) |
| Feb. 21 |
Emailed statement |
| Feb. 28 |
Mailed statement |
| March 31 |
Drop date |
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Smith County Medical Society Alliance Fundraising Success
Smith County Medical Society Alliance (SCMSA) has been busy. On Oct. 7, members hosted the second annual Heels for Healing fundraising luncheon and style show. It was a huge success and raised more than $20,000 for the Texas BookShare program. The SCMSA is placing vending machines at a local clinic to make available free books about healthy lifestyle choices available. Children will receive a token from their doctor to use in the Texas BookShare vending machine. WHAT A GREAT IDEA!
SCMSA President Joi Smith and members of the Alliance welcomed special guests TMAA President Jennifer Lewis, TMAA President-elect Libby White, and many other guests from the community.
Looking chic on the runway were alliance members Lisa Allen, Teresa Carney, Catherine Harrison, Helen Israel, Kelly Michaels, and SCMSA Past President Julie Wood.
For more information on Texas BookShare, visit the TMAA website or email Debra Heater.
The Healthy Kids Running Series in Smith County has been a great success for kids of all ages. The final meet was held on Sunday, Oct. 24. Alliance member Li-Yu Mitchell, MD, also sponsored a Hard Hats for Little Heads helmet giveaway at the running event for participants.
In mid-November, Kiepersol Vineyard & Winery in Tyler will host Charcuterie Class and Wine Tasting events. Invitations for SCMSA members have already been sent out. If you are interested, they will take place on Nov. 16, 17, and 18. Class times vary and space is limited.
And speaking of wine, did you know SMCSA started a wine tasting group 36 years ago? SMCSA currently has openings for two couples or up to four individuals. The basics of the group include a host couple or member who chooses a month to have the tasting in their home. The host provides the wine, food, and handouts about the wine they have chosen. They also provide tasting score sheets. The food can be as simple or elaborate as the host desires.
Many of their members are quite knowledgeable about wine, but most just enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship of a fun evening.
For more information about the SCMSA email Jean Harris or call or text her at (903) 363-7545.
County Round Up
Lubbock County Medical Society Alliance (LCMSA) held its first floral demo in September. Both TMAA President Jennifer Lewis and TMA Alliance President-elect Libby White attended, along with about a dozen LCMSA members. Everyone took home a beautiful floral arrangement. The best part was being together and having fun again. This was a welcome small event to get everyone out of pandemic mode.
Bell County Medical Society Alliance and the Temple Children’s Museum have joined forces to provide helmets for community children, educate about bike safety, and show children the healthy impacts exercise can have on their lives.
During the Nov. 5 First Friday event, helmets will be fitted and given away from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. The museum’s newest interactive exhibit, “Pedal Power,” will be open for families to see. Watch your heart rate pump up as you pedal. And a puppeteer will be present to teach lessons about bike safety.
Please join the fun, receive a helmet, learn about bike safety, and find out more about the human body.
The alliance also is hosting an adult evening event in 2022 at the museum as a combined social and fundraiser. For more information on that event, contact Martha Howell at howellemail@me.com.
Harris County Medical Society Alliance (HCMSA): TMAA President Jennifer Lewis made the rounds last month at a membership coffee presented by HCMSA. It was hosted at the home of alliance member Chris Davies. The event included coffee, a catered luncheon, an accomplished violinist, and a lot of camaraderie. It was a wonderful time to get together and remind everyone to renew their membership for 2022. Jennifer spoke of the importance of community and belonging ahead of the holiday season.
Dallas County Medical Society Alliance (DCMSA) hosted a Halloween Family Fun event at Aldredge House Saturday. The event included recruitment efforts aimed at the county’s young physician family community. High school volunteers watched the kids play games, trick or treat, do crafts, decorate cookies, and eat pizza. Meanwhile, the adults had their own fun while learning about DCMSA over happy hour. It was a great success, with hundreds in attendance and more than 50 prospective members.
Don’t miss out on upcoming events. Read all about them in the DCMSA Fall Newsletter.
A Special Announcement for TMA Alliance Members
Do you or your spouse have a medical practice? Are you looking for health insurance for yourself, your family, or your employees? TMA Insurance Trust is here to help with special options you may not be aware of.
Insurance for Yourself and Your Family
From now until Dec. 15, solo and small practice owners may qualify for special provisions that allow you to get group PPO health insurance, even if you have just one other employee. If you qualify, you could secure a PPO plan for just yourself and your family. You may find that a group PPO may provide better benefits for less cost than some individual HMO plans.
To qualify, your medical practice must have a tax ID number and at least one full-time employee other than yourself. Employees must be offered coverage, but under this special arrangement, your practice is not obligated to contribute to their premiums. Even if all your employees decline the coverage, you and your family can still qualify as “a group of one.”
This special provision also is available for partners and limited liability company (LLC) owners filing as a partnership with no employees. To qualify, you would just need to provide partnership documentation and your company’s Schedule K-1 (Form 1065.)
If you are interested in this special option, TMA Insurance Trust can help you enroll before the Dec. 15 deadline.
Employee Coverage
TMA Insurance Trust helps practices with smaller budgets find ways to offset the cost of offering group coverage to employees. Our advisors can help you configure affordable group plan options that protect your bottom line while offering your employees better coverage at a lower cost than they could find on their own.
Over 700 medical practices across Texas look to TMA Insurance Trust for their health insurance needs. Whether your plan is up for renewal or you’re thinking of offering group benefits for the first time, a TMA Insurance Trust advisor can help you though the process. Click here for a free consultation.