TMA ALLIANCE

June 2025

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Joi Smith

Being sworn in as the 108th president of the TMA Alliance during our recent ALLMED conference in San Antonio was one of the most meaningful moments in my Family of Medicine journey. Standing before the TMA House of Delegates, my fellow alliance members, and distinguished guests, I have never felt so proud to be the spouse of a physician! 

In my address, I asked two questions: What is the TMA Alliance? And what keeps me coming back year after year? I believe our newly adopted TMAA vision and mission statements hold the key to the first question: “To connect and support physician families and build a healthy Texas through community outreach and advocacy.” 

As alliance members we accomplish this by advocating with one voice for our physician spouses and promote the TMA legislative agenda, so members are informed about issues that impact Texas physicians and their patients. In our communities, we organize Hard Hats for Little Heads events, giving out thousands of helmets while putting smiles on children’s faces, and my favorite, Texas BookShare. Putting books in the children’s hands is one of the most important things we can do to ensure children a better, healthier future. And we can’t overlook all the local alliance outreach that target specific community needs.  

I have been blessed with 41 years of a beautiful medical marriage, 25 years in the Smith County Medical Society Alliance, and six years serving on the TMAA Board. I am proud to be a TMA Alliance member, and I am very excited to lead our  

organization this year!   

So, to answer the second question … What keeps me coming back year after year is all of you and the amazing people in the Family of Medicine. I look forward to meeting many of you this year as I travel across the great state of Texas and thank you for this opportunity to serve the TMA Alliance.  

ALLMED: One Great Conference 
ALLMED 2025 in San Antonio May 8-10 was one for the books. Members voted to adopt updated TMAA bylaws at the Annual Business Meeting. Also, 2024-25 TMAA President Jenny Shepherd recapped her tremendous year with a “state of the state” overview to examine TMAA successes and areas for growth.  

The Smith County Medical Society Alliance had the most members at the business meeting, receiving $500 to put toward a Hard Hats for Little Heads or Texas BookShare event. Members also elected the Nominating Committee, which will select TMAA’s next slate of officers. These four at-large members will join the three TMAA immediate past presidents on the committee: Mariko Elvin and Pooja Bindingnavele from Nueces, and Debbie Massingill and Margaret McDonald from Tarrant. The other five candidates will serve as alternates.  

The conference also included a poster session reception where local alliances showcased key events from the past year, roundtable discussions for idea sharing, leadership and philanthropic presentations by three invited speakers, and celebration (see awards story below). New friends, fun, and connection rounded out the event. Check out the TMAA Facebook and Instagram pages for more ALLMED photo highlights. 

Thanks to Bexar County Medical Society Alliance members for providing the swag bags and luncheon centerpieces, assisting with registration, and more. Also, thanks to TMA Insurance Trust for sponsoring ALLMED. Mark your calendars for ALLMED 2026 in Corpus Christi on April 16-18. 

2025-26 Slate of Officers 
Congratulations to incoming TMAA Board of Directors members, who were installed during ALLMED: 

President: Joi Smith, Smith  
President-Elect: Lydia Soldano, Travis 
President’s Special Advisor: Debbie Pitts, Smith 

Vice President of Community Engagement: Angelique Reagor, Dallas  
Vice President of Fiscal Affairs (Treasurer): Julie Dye, Nueces 
Vice President-Elect of Fiscal Affairs: Margaret McDonald, Tarrant 
Vice President of Future Planning: Kelly Michaels, Smith  

Vice President of Legislative Affairs: Suzanne Perkins, Smith 
Vice President of Membership: Mercedes Dossa, Tarrant 
Vice President-Elect of Membership: Mariko Elvin, Nueces 
Recording Secretary: Rhonda Phillips, Cameron-Willacy 
Parliamentarian: Renee Wright, Smith 
Advisory Committee: 
  Jenny Shepherd, Bexar, TMAA past president 2024-25 

  Elizabeth Vanexan, Nueces, TMAA past president 2023-24 
  Libby White, Lubbock, TMAA past president 2022-23

Congratulations, Award Winners

TMAA recognized local alliances at the Celebration Luncheon during ALLMED for their work year-round to improve their chapters and communities through advocacy, community outreach, and membership.  

Many alliances attained bronze, silver, and gold recognition in the membership categories (postings in progress on social media), and members who recruited a Plus 1 member were honored. From among the incredible award submissions this year, here are the 2025 Blue Ribbon Award winners: 

Mary Ann Homer Legislative Advocacy Award  

Nueces County Medical Society Alliance 

Community Outreach Award  
Dallas County Medical Society Alliance 
 

Durham Membership Award 
Potter-Randall County Medical Alliance 

President’s Award (Award of Special Recognition) 
Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance 

The advocacy, community outreach, and membership awards carry a $500 prize, and the President’s Award comes with a $1,000 prize.  

Legislative Session Recap: Wins for Texas Medicine

Hear the outcome of TMA’s lobbying efforts and legislative wins in the 89^th Texas legislative session at an upcoming webinar. Join TMA’s leadership and lobbying team Monday, June 30, at 6 pm for a 90-minute, post-session recap. You’ll learn about TMA’s legislative wins, how potentially damaging bills were blocked, and strategies for preparing for the next session. Register for the webinar here.

TMAA Fall Gathering

Are you taking time to smell the roses? If not, plan to be in Tyler Oct. 24-25 for the TMAA Fall Gathering – and peak rose season. The meeting, held in conjunction with TMA’s Regional Conference, is a great opportunity to connect with your TMAA and Family of Medicine community. The weekend line-up will include social events, and learning and sharing time, along with board and committee meetings.