It’s almost Valentine’s Day which makes me reflect on things I love … the sweetness of cotton candy melting on my tongue at the state fair, watching my dogs run with wild abandon at the ranch, and, of course, my family...
It’s almost Valentine’s Day which makes me reflect on things I love … the sweetness of cotton candy melting on my tongue at the state fair, watching my dogs run with wild abandon at the ranch, and, of course, my family. Just as cotton candy makes me smile, the dogs give me joy, and my family gives me a sense of belonging, the TMA Alliance holds a special place in my heart. I hope you feel the same.
I love the way advocacy allows us to use our voices to change our world. I hope you participate in each First Tuesdays at the Capitol event this spring, especially in March to celebrate alliance month. In addition to heading to the state house to spread the message of medicine on Tuesday, March 4, we would be thrilled to have you join us for a Capitol tour and reception on Monday, March 3.
The alliance connects us, and I truly love that. Whether you’re in Fort Worth or Brownsville, El Paso or Corpus Christi, or anywhere else across the great state of Texas, we share a strong, unifying bond through medicine. I invite you to celebrate that connection with fellow alliance members as we kick off our first statewide Connect Over Coffee week later this month. From Feb. 23 to March 1, look for an event in your area, or consider inviting a few alliance members for a coffee date. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to invite a potential Plus 1 to join the fun. Whether it’s with another alliance member or with a legislator about a key issue, never underestimate the Power of One conversation to make a difference.
As we think about the things we cherish this month, let’s take a minute to appreciate the friendships we’ve formed, the support we’ve given and received, and the positive impact we’ve made in our communities. All this is possible because of the alliance … and I love that!
Alliance Coffee Klatch Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, said he “was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community.” TMAA is encouraging our community to Connect Over Coffee during the last week of February. Local alliances and communities with Lone Star alliance members are encouraged to arrange a meet-up at a local coffee shop or in a member’s home sometime between Feb. 23 and March 1.
These gatherings provide a relaxed way to invite lapsed or potential members to connect with other alliance members – or just gather for coffee and conversation with current members. TMAA can provide a customized invitation for your local event; you just need to secure a location. And we encourage you to share photos on your alliance’s social media channels and tag TMAA. Let’s share a great week of alliance friendship around the state. Contact TMAA President Jenny Shepherd for more details or if you’d like to have her or another TMAA board member attend your local coffee.
Advocacy in Action
First Tuesdays at the Capitol is here! We hope to see you in Austin on the first Tuesday of February through May. Join Texas’ physicians, medical students, and other alliance members to defend the practice of medicine at the Capitol. The first event is Tuesday. The next lobby day – the one dedicated to TMAA members – is March 4. Our own TMAA President Jenny Shepherd chairs First Tuesdays.
What does the day look like? Each begins at 7 am with breakfast and an issues briefing at the TMA building. After the briefing, join physicians and alliance members from your county on pre-arranged visits to your legislator(s) at the Capitol, followed by lunch at the TMA building.
For the TMAA day, we encourage you to come Monday, March 3, for some special events. A private tour of the Capitol will begin at 3 pm, followed by a reception in the TMA building at 5 pm. If you plan to attend the Capitol tour, please RSVP so we have an accurate count. Register today for March First Tuesdays and reserve your hotel room by Feb. 10.
If you can’t attend First Tuesdays and want to stay in the know on issues, you can attend a virtual First Monday update each month, beginning on Feb. 3 (also March 3, March 31, and May 5). Register to receive the Zoom link. More information about TMA Family of Medicine advocacy is available on the TMA website.
Blue Ribbon Bragging Rights
It’s time to brag about the great accomplishments of your local alliance for the annual TMAA Blue Ribbon Awards. Like last year, alliances can apply for any or all awards – membership, community outreach, and advocacy – centered on the pillars of TMAA.
Based on your feedback, the Blue Ribbon Awards Task Force revised the criteria, including adding more items to recognize the good work being done around the state. Applications are due to TMAA by April 4, using a downloadable rubric. Judges will review, then score each application; you just need to report your achievements.
Awards will be presented during the Celebration Luncheon at ALLMED in San Antonio in May. The winners of the membership, community outreach, and advocacy awards each receive $500.
Make Plans to Attend ALLMED
Mark your calendars for ALLMED, TMAA’s annual conference, May 8-10 in San Antonio. The ALLMED Committee is hard at work planning new offerings, while maintaining beloved traditions. All members are invited to ALLMED, held in conjunction with TMA’s TexMed, and it’s a great time for local leaders to meet other alliance leaders from around the state to share ideas. Watch your inbox and the TMAA website for details.
Double Your Scholarship Money
The TMA Foundation can help your alliance increase its giving power with matching grants for scholarships your chapter awards to medical students accepted into or attending a Texas medical school (up to $5,000 per scholarship). TMAF has two funds from which to apply, and each offers scholarship grants not to exceed $5,000 for a single scholarship. The deadline to apply is March 31. To apply, log in to TMAF’s Grant and Award Portal.
TMAIT Disability Benefit
TMAIT recently increased the benefit amount of long-term disability insurance (to $5,000/month) that a member (under age 65) can apply for and not have to provide any income verification or submit any financial information. This is a valuable member benefit because members would typically need to coordinate their existing disability coverage with any supplemental coverage they would apply for. This is not the case for this benefit amount of the Member Plan. If approved, this benefit would be payable regardless of any other insurance they have. This is why this offer is appealing to physicians in an employed setting. It gives them the option to get personal coverage beyond what their employer provides so it supplements their current benefit and if they should leave the hospital and open a practice, become a locum, etc. they would have some income replacement insurance coverage in place. Learn more.
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Texas Medical Association, 401 W. 15th St, Austin, TX 78701, United States, 5123701300
