TMA ALLIANCE

January 2025

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Jenny Shepherd

Happy new year! With the calendar turned to 2025, I'm setting personal goals, including reading 100 books again this year and hiking the next 100 miles of the Colorado trail. I know I can achieve these goals on my own. As president of the TMA Alliance, I have ambitious goals for our community that require your support and involvement to make them a reality, particularly in membership.  

I’m proud to report that, as of December 2024, each local alliance has grown, welcoming both new members and those returning after a break. This success is a testament to your hard work and dedication as many of you reached out, found your Plus 1, and spread the word about and put into action the benefits of membership.

Currently, we are just 187 new or returning members away from achieving our 2025 membership goal of a 10% statewide increase by March 31. That would double the 5% increase we had in 2024.  

Let’s use the Power of One to make this happen – with each ONE of us finding a new or lapsed member to bring along to distribute books or helmets, support each other, or speak out for medicine. I’d love to see each one of us receive TMAA swag at ALLMED for recruiting a Plus 1! 

By working together, our membership goal will be surpassed in no time – and we’ll become one stronger, more talented and effective organization! As for my personal goals … book recommendations, anyone? 

You Matter to TMAA, Renew Today 
TMAA’s success starts with you. Your “one” renewed membership ensures the alliance has a strong, united presence across Texas, so make sure you’re along again in 2025. If you haven’t already done so, help spark the Power of One by renewing your TMAA membership: 

1. Visit the TMAA website. And sign up for auto renewal so you don’t have to remember to renew each year.  
2. Call the TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955 with credit card information. Knowledge Center representatives also can make phone, address, and email changes.  
3. Return the application form you received in the mail, along with your check. 

And if you have renewed, it’s time to recruit your “one” – your Plus 1, that is. Anyone who brings in a first-time member or brings back someone whose membership has lapsed since 2022 or before will receive a new TMAA swag item at ALLMED.

Enrich Your Health in 2025

Put your New Year’s resolutions into action with Small Changes, Big Impact: Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Better Health, TMAA’s first Enrichment Series event of 2025 on Jan. 15 at noon. Margaret McDonald, a registered, licensed dietitian and Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance member, will provide tips to help you feel better overall with tips for weight loss, improved cholesterol, strengthened immune defenses, slowed cognitive decline, and more. RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

Mark Your Calendar for First Tuesdays    

Join physicians, fellow alliance members, and medical students in Austin Feb. 4 for the first of four First Tuesdays at the Capitol to discuss with legislators bills that impact physicians and their patients. TMAA created First Tuesdays in 2003, and the program is now stronger than ever. Don’t miss this alliance-driven Family of Medicine advocacy effort. Register today and reserve your hotel rooms as they go quickly. Of special note, March 4 is TMAA day. 

In preparation for First Tuesdays, join TMA’s webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 6 pm to learn about TMA’s 2025 legislative agenda. The webinar will address how TMA’s Council on Legislation identified its priority issues for the 2025 legislative session, what it plans to accomplish, and how you can advocate for your profession and patients. Save your spot for the webinar by registering here.  

Keep Up With Alliance News  

For more up-to-the-minute news, member spotlights, and to see what is happening in alliances around the state, make sure you follow TMAA on Facebook and on Instagram (@TMAAlliance). If you aren’t yet a follower, take a moment to do that now. 

ALLMED for All Members   

As you’re making your 2025 plans, be sure to include TMAA’s annual conference, ALLMED, in your plans. We’ll gather May 8-10 in San Antonio at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa. The meeting, held in conjunction with TMA’s TEXMED conference, is open to all TMAA members and is a great opportunity to make and reconnect with alliance friends across the state. And the venue is a great family location, so plan to bring your spouse and kids. We’ll handle TMAA business, hear great speakers, present awards, and have tons of fun. Watch for more details. 

Vaccination Grants Available  

TMA’s Vaccines Defend What Matters is offering Local Impact Grants of up to $3,500 to fund vaccination activities, community outreach events, and vaccine education. TMA member physicians, county medical societies, TMA Alliance chapters, and medical student chapters may apply. Applications are open until Feb. 7 on the TMA Foundation Grant and Award Portal (log-in required).