The Texas Medical Association Foundation (TMAF) has presented its 2013 John P. McGovern Champion of Health and Secondary Award to two Texas programs that are creating a "Healthy Now" and a "Healthy Future." The awards were presented during the TMA Winter Conference on February 2, 2013, in Austin. 

About the Award

The Champion of Health Award focuses on exceptional projects that address urgent threats to the public’s health, address TMA science and public health priorities, and further TMAF’s mission: to help physicians create a healthier future for all Texans. Established in 1995, the award has recognized local and statewide programs including the Mission of Mercy Mobile Medical Clinics, Caring for Children Foundation of Texas, Children Nutrition Program of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Healthy High/ Healthy Choices by Schulenburg Weimar in Focus Together, The Cancer and Chronic Disease Consortium of El Paso, and Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program. The top winner receives a $5,000 award to be used towards the winning program. TMA Foundation may also recognize a secondary winner with a $2,500 grant. Nominations for the 2014 award will be accepted starting in September 2013. See a full list of past winning programs.

Top Award Winner: “Hope Medical Clinic ”

 
Hope Medical Clinic, part of the Get Up Project, provides healthcare services, medications, and related services at no cost to the uninsured, with a focus on serving refugees. The goal is to help patients better manage their health through education, continuity of care and assistance in overcoming barriers, such as transportation. The clinic provides on-site interpretation which allows more time to educate patients on managing their health conditions and medications. The clinic is operated solely through the volunteer efforts of physicians, mid-level providers, nurses, physical therapists, dentists, nutritionists, pharmacists, and non-medical volunteers. To meet the demand for services, the clinic recently went from two to three days per month. John Morrow, MD, Austin, had the vision to create this free clinic; he began working with pharmacists to build the purchasing, storing and medication dispensing process. He went on to collaborate with local labs and radiology services to obtain free services. Dr. Morrow developed the original clinic in 2005 to serve the homeless in East Austin. In 2010, a joint venture was developed to extend medical services to the thousands of refugees in the Austin area resulting from the United Nations Resettlement Program. In October 2012, the first dental clinic was offered where 16 patients were evaluated and treated by volunteer dentists. Future plans call for increasing availability of dental services, complete conversion to electronic medical records, improving patient education for multiple languages and more.     Secondary Winner: “Pediatric Obesity Symposium”

This annual medical education forum is organized to recognize the scope of national and local childhood obesity problems. It brings together lecturers from medical education, active medical practice, allied health and the community to share information, approaches and intervention strategies. Founded by Awilda Ramos, MD, New Braunfels, the 2012 5th annual summit attracted more than 1,000 physicians, allied health professionals, concerned citizens, students, and organizations. As a result of the symposium, New Braunfels pediatricians report a definitive adoption of new guidelines for lab evaluation, appropriate community referral, and more aggressive lifestyle intervention. Future goals of the Pediatric Obesity Symposium include advocacy for more accessible and safe exercise outdoors and advocacy within schools by physician participation on school health advisory committees. Future lectures will address techniques for appetite control, recognition of sleep apnea and more.

About John P. McGovern, MD (1922-2007)

TMA Foundation celebrates the legacy of John P. McGovern, MD, Houston, which includes his generous support of this program. The award incorporates many of the ideals Dr. McGovern valued including high impact, innovative programs that improve the health of all Texans and that are “champions” of good health in their communities. A noted allergist, scholar, philanthropist, long-time donor to TMA Foundation, and “Champion of Health,” John P. McGovern, MD endowed the foundation’s prestigious Champion of Health Award in 2004 to recognize outstanding community-based programs that promote good health through partnerships and measurable results. Dr. McGovern was passionately interested in the history and the philosophy of medicine and helped to found the American Osler Society, which honors medicine’s important historical figures and stresses a physician’s need to be ethical, charitable and intellectually resourceful. He received dozens of awards for his research, service and philanthropy including The Private Sector Initiative Commendation from former President Ronald Reagan and The Surgeon General’s Medallion awarded by C. Everett Koop, MD, ScD. TMA Foundation is proud to honor his memory by presenting this award.

For more information please contact TMA Foundation at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1664, or (512) 370-1664. Or email sean.dunham@texmed.org.