January 2021
More Exposure for TMA Outreach Initiatives
TMA appreciates the incredible work our members like you do to improve the health of our communities and our state. TMA’s Giving Back newsletter has always focused on that – and now we want to share your projects and successes with even more TMA members. Starting this month, we will publish stories about TMA’s many outreach initiatives in our most-read TMA e-newsletter, Texas Medicine Today. This is the final issue of Giving Back.
The stories below are a sampling of the great news you and your fellow TMA and TMA Alliance members will find. You don’t have to do a thing; just watch your inbox for similar stories and more in Texas Medicine Today, your one-stop shop for TMA news, and on TMA’s Facebook page.
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Mental Health, Wellness Matters
Helping physicians manage stress and trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential for their well-being. TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness (PHW) provides resources for physicians, residents, and medical students who are feeling unsettled about work, school, or home:
- Live, virtual CME webinars for up to 10,000 listeners. This allows more space to collaborate and connect with your peers, such as a wellness event among all your system’s hospitals. All PHW CME is designated with AMA PRA Cat. 1 Credit™ and 1 ethics/professional responsibility credit.
- Health and wellness education for medical students and residents. This format allows attendees to join by phone or computer from any location. Request a free, live virtual webinar today.
The TMA Foundation (TMAF) also recently approved funding for seven TMA county medical society programs that strengthen the capacity of physician healers. Free activities ranging from confidential coaching and yoga to leadership training to reduce burnout are made possible through TMAF’s Caring for Physician Healers: Mental Health and Wellness Resources During COVID-19 Fund. Bell, Dallas, Ector, Lubbock, McLennan, Smith, and Travis county medical societies received the grants, which are made possible with support from the Pfizer Foundation.
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Hard Hats Hiatus
Because of the ongoing pandemic, TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads has gone on hiatus for the first part of 2021. TMA will not fill orders during this time. The Council on Health Promotion, which oversees the program, will reevaluate the situation in May. Please check the website or email TMA if you want to purchase helmets after mid-May.
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Minority Scholarship Applications Open
The TMA Minority Scholarship Program is accepting applications for incoming 2021 medical students. If you know eligible students, encourage them to apply by March 21. Every scholarship dollar helps students defray their out-of-pocket dollars. If you would like to support the fund, make your gift through the TMA Foundation.
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Supporting Healthy Communities
The TMA Foundation recently provided funding for five local projects through its Medical Community and Medical Student Community Leadership Grants. Recipients were the Nueces County Medical Society Alliance, and the TMA chapters at Baylor College of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, and UT Southwestern Medical School (two awards). The projects include promoting literacy and healthy habits for elementary students, helping underserved adults monitor their blood pressure, and helping people experiencing homelessness connect to local resources.
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