Each year, TMA honors award-winning Texas general-interest news media with the Anson Jones, MD, Awards. Winners receive $1,000 and a plaque. Citation of Merit winners receive $250 and a certificate. The competition is free to enter, so Texas newspaper and magazine reporters and editors, enter your winning work today.    

Step One:

Pick the category that best fits your winning entry. You produce print-publication news stories, so choose one of these (or use your web browser to go back to the main Anson Jones page to find your correct media category):

• Large-Circulation Print. These are shorter news stories in print publications with circulation of 100,000 or more. This is for articles that are 50 column-inches and shorter.
• Small-Circulation Print. These are shorter news stories in print publications with circulation of less than 100,000. This is for articles that are 50 column-inches and shorter.
• In-Depth Print. These are longer-format print news entries from all Texas markets. This category includes any of these:
  • Multi-part series; 
  • Multiple stories on a single topic in a single edition; or 
  • Entries exceeding 50 column inches of news copy.  

Step Two: Read and follow this section carefully (Rules/Deadlines)

• Entries must be RECEIVED in the TMA offices by Jan. 15 each year.
• Material must be published or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 the previous year.
• You must submit FIVE copies of each entry. Electronic copies are acceptable as well. We require five because we send entries to 5 judges in different locations.
• All entrants must submit one completed entry form per each copy of an entry (photocopies are ok). That's FIVE entry forms total (remember we ship your entry to 5 judges in different places).
• Individual entrants may submit up to three articles/stories or series per year.
• Enter the correct category! Be careful to note length/duration of your work and choose accordingly.
• No deadline extensions can be granted. Entries will not be returned.
• If a team contributed to an entry, please list a maximum of four contributor names.
• TMA and its judges reserve the right to disqualify any entries not meeting eligibility requirements.
• Download and print the official entry form   to accompany all entries (photocopies are acceptable, as are electronic entries).
• TMA charges no fee to enter TMA's Anson Jones, MD, Awards competition, however all entry, duplication and shipping costs are the responsibility of each entrant. Multiple entries may be shipped together in one box/envelope.

Who can enter?
You are eligible to enter IF:

• You are general-interest news media based in Texas and intended primarily for a Texas public audience;
• Your entry first published between Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 this year, for January’s competition deadline;
• You don’t send more than three entries this year. Entries may be the work of an individual or the collective effort of a publication or station. An individual (a person) may enter up to three unrelated articles/stories, or series ("entries"). Therefore a person (entrant) may have his or her name on a maximum of three entries submitted to TMA in a given year;
• You are not a "trade publication" that is not intended for a general public audience;
• You are not in the medical profession, medical association, etc. or other health-related organization that relays health information targeted at the medical profession or allied professions; and
• Your entry is not a public service announcement, promotional spot or marketing effort. 

Judging Criteria – What do we look for?

Entries are judged on the basis of accuracy, significance, quality, public interest, and impact. Judges will name one winner and one citation of merit winner per category, unless the judges determine no entries represent excellence in a given category. Judges may also choose to award a tie. Judging will be performed by Texas Medical Association physicians and other members of TMA's Council on Health Promotion, and respected journalists from the news publishing and broadcast fields. Final winners are determined by the TMA Council on Health Promotion. TMA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries.