Awards

Recognizing excellence in practicing, supporting, exploring, and examining medicine and science elevates the profession of medicine. TMA celebrates outstanding physicians, medical students, teachers, and journalists who serve as role models in improving the health of all Texans.

TMA Honors Georgetown Pediatrician for a Career of Distinguished Service

 

The Texas Medical Association has honored Georgetown pediatrician John W. Hellerstedt, MD, with the 2026 TMA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his 45 years of exemplary service to patients, public health, and organized medicine.   

See the List of Past Distinguished Service Award Recipients

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An Unfailing Voice for Medicine: TMA Honors Kenneth Mattox, MD

 

Dr. Mattox was awarded the Laurance N. Nickey, MD, Lifetime Achievement Award for exceptional public health service – only the second award bestowed since its creation in 2019.

The exclusivity of the award makes it such an honor to present, says Dallas pediatrician Benjamin Lee, MD. He chairs TMA’s Council on Science and Public Health, which gives out the award.

This is not an annual award, and a winner will only be chosen if an individual meets the criteria of lifetime achievement in public health.

Learn More About Dr. Mattox  

Young at Heart Award

TMA Medical Student Section (TMA-MSS) chapter of the year. Awarded annually to the chapter of TMA that exemplifies leadership, dedication, and service to TMA, the AMA, their respective Medical Student Sections, and all Texans. At TexMed 1998, TMA-MSS established the Outstanding Chapter of the Year award. This award recognizes the TMA-MSS Chapter which serves the section and excels in furthering TMA-MSS goals and policies for a better Texas.

View the History and Award Recipients

TMA Medical Students Awards

2026 Chapter of the Year - UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine located in Galveston

TMA Medical Student Section (TMA-MSS) chapter of the year. Awarded annually to the chapter of TMA that exemplifies leadership, dedication, and service to TMA, the AMA, their respective Medical Student Sections, and all Texans. At TexMed 1998, TMA-MSS established the Outstanding Chapter of the Year award. This award recognizes the TMA-MSS Chapter which serves the section and excels in furthering TMA-MSS goals and policies for a better Texas.

2026 Student of the Year - Sanjay Neerukonda, Houston

Awarded annually to the Texas medical student exemplifying outstanding service to TMA's Medical Student Section. At TexMed 1998, TMA-MSS established the Outstanding Student on the Year award. This award recognizes a student member which serves the section and excels in furthering TMA-MSS goals and policies for a better Texas. Any medical student (except current TMA-MSS Executive Council members) is eligible to receive this award.

2026 C. Frank Webber, MD, Award - Hilary Fairbrother, MD, Houston

Created in 1987, the C. Frank Webber, MD Award is given annually by the TMA Student Section to honor a Texas physician for his or her outstanding service to the Medical Student Section and its members. The award is given in recognition of Dr. Webber’s leadership and dedication to medical students.  His efforts prompted the development of the strong student organization within TMA.

Excellence in Science Teaching Awards

These awards were created in 1990 to honor elementary, middle, and high school teachers who share their energy and enthusiasm for science through creative and innovative methods to cultivate student interest in medicine and science.

Awards for Health Reporting Excellence

 

TMA’s Anson Jones, MD, Awards honor print, broadcast, and online journalists from across the state for outstanding health reporting. The annual awards, which began in 1957, are named after pioneer physician, statesman, and prolific writer Anson Jones, MD.

2024 TMA Anson Jones, MD, Award Winners