July is always full of summer fun, and I love celebrating the Fourth of July! Fireworks are one of my passions, and I look forward to finding the best show, complete with patriotic songs, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and ice-cold watermelon...
July is always full of summer fun, and I love celebrating the Fourth of July! Fireworks are one of my passions, and I look forward to finding the best show, complete with patriotic songs, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and ice-cold watermelon. What could be better!
In our journey together in the Family of Medicine, July 1 marks the starting day for residency programs across the country. When I was a newly married resident spouse, I was so excited to share our first July 4th together. I laugh now, because that July 4th evening found the family medicine residents stretched out on the floor of the apartment, sound asleep, unable to move after 36 hours of training. And definitely not going to the fireworks show!
As TMA Alliance members – some with years of experience and others early in their careers – we learned a few things along the way that helped us grow, enjoy, and even thrive during residency.
While residency brings the challenges and stress of moving, finding a new home, long hours of training combined with lack of sleep, loneliness and fatigue, we (hopefully) learned to take advantage of the great opportunities to discover new restaurants and the local vibe on healthy eating. Embrace the performing arts
scene with a free concert, enjoy a yoga class at the park, or seek out volunteer opportunities. Or just gather with new friends walking the same medical family journey.
So this July, while we are relaxing and having summer fun, let’s live out the TMA Alliance mission of “connecting physician families” by welcoming new residents and their families to our communities and the Family of Medicine!
TEXPAC Support Matters
While it was a hard-fought legislative session, TMA and the practice of medicine scored victories in the 89th Texas Legislature. Thanks to TMAA members who showed their support for medicine’s issues at First Tuesdays at the Capitol, in correspondence with their legislators, and more.
Before you renew your TMAA membership for 2026, take the time to learn more about TEXPAC, TMA’s bipartisan political arm. TEXPAC, one of the oldest political action committees in Texas, works to advance TMA’s mission of improving the health of all Texans and enables TMA and TMAA members to protect Texas patients through political education and activism. Read the September/October issue of Texas Medicine for a full review of the legislative session.
Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) is a bipartisan political action committee of TMA and affiliated with the American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC) for congressional contribution purposes only. Its goal is to support and elect pro-medicine candidates at the federal level and the state level. Voluntary contributions by individuals to TEXPAC should be written on personal checks. Funds attributed to individuals or professional associations (PAs) that would exceed federal contribution limits will be placed in the TEXPAC statewide account to support nonfederal political candidates. Contributions are not limited to the suggested amounts. TEXPAC will not favor or disadvantage anyone based on the amounts or failure to make contributions. Contributions used for federal purposes are subject to the prohibitions and limitations of the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Contributions or gifts to TEXPAC or any county medical society PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions or business expenses for federal income tax purposes.
Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. To satisfy this regulation, please include your occupation and employer information in the space provided. Contributions from a practice business account must disclose the name of the practice and the allocation of contributions for each contributing owner. Should you have any questions, please call TEXPAC at (512) 370-1362.
Fall Gathering: Fellowship and Fun Social and sharing time (Mahjong and a rose garden museum tour) and other interactive and learning opportunities are in store at the TMAA Fall Gathering in Tyler Oct. 24-25. Conferences are something TMAA offers to allow members to connect and grow your medical family community, and one meeting is all it takes to get hooked. Make plans to come see what’s in store at the Fall Gathering, held in conjunction with TMA’s Regional Conference. Consider bringing a group from your alliance. Reserve your hotel now. Registration info coming soon.
Connect with TMAA
Are you keeping up with TMAA on social media? If not, it’s time to get onboard. Follow TMAA on Instagram at @TMAAlliance. And if you haven’t already, “Like” TMAA on Facebook, also @TMAAlliance.
In addition, TMAA is continually making updates to the website to keep you apprised of the benefits of TMAA membership. Look for details of upcoming events and conferences and check out the online Learning Center for informational handouts and video recordings from fellow alliance members on topics of interest.
Future of Medicine Scholarships
Four local alliances received matching medical student and nursing scholarships totaling $10,500 from the TMA Foundation Family of Funds during TexMed in May. These alliances received funding for medical student scholarships through the TMAF medical student and Hispanic medical student funds of Dr. Roberto J. and Agniela M. Bayardo:
Bexar County Medical Society Alliance Scholarship Program, $3,000 (a $1,500 grant from the medical student fund and the Hispanic medical student fund)
Smith County Medical Society AllianceBook Fair Foundation UT Tyler Medical Student Scholarship Program, $5,000
Wichita County Medical Alliance Scholarship Program,$2,500
In addition, the Travis alliance will award $20,100 in scholarships to nursing students through the TMAF Hispanic Nursing Scholarship Trust Fund of Dr. Roberto J. and Agniela M. Bayardo. Applications for the next round of matches for alliance chapters with medical student scholarship programs will open in January 2026. And read more about the scholarships local alliances give.
TMAA Members on TMAF Board
In addition to TMAA members continuing terms on the TMA Foundation Board of Trustees, the TMAF board amended its bylaws to include the TMA Alliance president-elect as an ex officio member of the board. So TMAA President-Elect Lydia Soldano, Travis, will join Debbie Massingill, Tarrant; Sunshine Moore, Nueces; and Debbie Pitts, Smith, on the TMAF board. Debbie Massingill also was recently elected secretary of the TMAF board.
Medicare After 65: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes If You Keep Working
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Publication of an advertisement, advertorial, or sponsored content does not constitute or imply a recommendation, endorsement, or approval by the Texas Medical Association Alliance. The Texas Medical Association Alliance does not guarantee the accuracy or totality of the information contained in this publication or of any information posted on a website linked within this publication.
Texas Medical Association, 401 W. 15th St, Austin, TX 78701, United States, 5123701300
