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Climate Change, Surprise Billing/Insurance Delays to Top TMA Conference - 01/22/2020

How does climate change threaten the health and survival of humans? Beyond obvious threats like heatstroke, doctors and other scientists suspect climate change factored in the 2012 Dallas epidemic of West Nile encephalitis and the spread of other tropical diseases shared by mosquitos. One physician expert points to climate change as a contributing factor for allergies, asthma, worse COPD conditions, and heart attacks. Physicians will address this timely issue and more during the 2020 Texas Medical Association (TMA) Winter Conference in Austin this week.

Texas Physicians Explain Herd Immunity Needed to Fight Contagious-Disease Hotspots - 01/06/2020

A community with enough vaccinated people can protect each other from the spread of contagious disease. Herd immunity – also known as community immunity – protects those who are not immune and those who cannot or choose not to get vaccinated.

Give the Gift of Good Health This Holiday Season - 11/25/2019

Help your loved ones spread good health this holiday season by making a gift in their name to the Texas Medical Association Foundation. Gifts made to the foundation on or before Dec. 31 (or postmarked no later than Dec. 31) are eligible for 2019 tax benefits according to federal law.

TMA Foundation Grants Support Better Health Across Texas - 11/07/2019

Residents of eight Texas counties will benefit from nearly $22,500 in Texas Medical Association Foundation (TMAF) grant funding to help them live better, healthier lives. TMAF recently awarded funds to four county medical societies and three county chapters of the TMA Alliance (a volunteer, community service and advocacy organization comprising physicians, spouses, and partners).

Keep Texans Safe And Healthy; Support Community Projects - 11/05/2019

Each year, local medical societies or alliance chapters may apply for up to $7,500 in matching funds from the TMAF Medical Community Grants program. The TMA Foundation Board approves the grant funding during its meeting in September.

Talk to Patients About: Flu - 10/24/2019

Flu is serious, and the vaccine can prevent or minimize the illness.

TMA Grants Will Help Texans Fight Flu - 10/18/2019

As early flu season predictions suggest this one might be rough, people in communities across Texas will be protected from influenza, or flu, thanks to grants from the Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Be Wise – ImmunizeSM program. TMA has awarded more than $30,000 in grants to physicians, TMA Alliance (TMAA) volunteers, and medical student chapters to provide flu shots at no cost to uninsured and underinsured Texans in their hometowns.

Know any Outstanding Science Teachers? Nominate Them for a TMA Grant - 10/15/2019

By now, most Texas schools are back in session, which means plenty of great science teachers have begun educating the next generation of physicians. You can help those outstanding educators become even better teachers by nominating them for the Texas Medical Association’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.

Another Dubious Distinction: Texas Tops Unvaccinated List - 10/11/2019

According to WalletHub, Texas is No. 50 on its “2019's States that Vaccinate the Most” report, which also includes the District of Columbia. The report analyzed 18 key metrics – from share of vaccinated children to people without health insurance, and reported outbreaks such as measles – to determine each state’s ranking.

Connect to Your Community Through A Vaccination Clinic - 10/10/2019

Sometimes, health care is most effective when you bring it to patients, instead of waiting for them to come to you. That’s exactly what students at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School did when they organized a pertussis vaccination clinic this spring with help from a grant from the Texas Medical Association’s Be Wise – Immunize program.

TMA Foundation Increases Champion of Health Award - 10/09/2019

All across Texas, school districts, volunteers, elected officials, and regular people have created programs that promote healthy lives and healthy communities. For 2020, the Texas Medical Association Foundation is helping programs like these even more by increasing the grants awarded them through the John P. McGovern Champion of Health Award.

Help Patients Be Wise About Flu Shots - 09/24/2019

Influenza has been particularly memorable during the past two seasons. The 2018-19 season was the longest in a decade, lasting 21 weeks, while 2017-18 saw a record 186 pediatric flu-related deaths, including 17 in Texas. As we begin another flu season, the Texas Medical Association’s Be Wise – Immunize program offers tools to help you make this one unremarkable.

New Trustees Join TMA Foundation Board - 09/12/2019

The Texas Medical Association Foundation (TMAF) announces six new appointments to the TMAF Board of Trustees. Three physicians, two medical students, and a community leader will attend their first board meeting this week at the Texas Medical Association (TMA) Fall Conference. TMAF is the philanthropic arm of TMA, the nation’s largest state medical society.

Be Wise — Immunize Local Impact Grants - 09/11/2019

Apply for a grant. TMA’s Be Wise — ImmunizeSM is accepting applications for local vaccination programs.

It’s Not Too Early to Plan for the TMA Foundation’s Annual Gala - 09/09/2019

The 2020 Texas Medical Association Foundation gala – scheduled for Friday, May 1, in Fort Worth – will recognize Fort Worth for its vibrant art scene and honor the unique ways in which physicians treat each patient.

Unlocking Doors: Minority Scholarship Program Connects Students with Mentors - 09/04/2019

When the Texas Medical Association founded its Minority Scholarship Program in 1998 to diversify the physician workforce, Dr. Ramamurthy became both a contributor and a mentor to students who receive the scholarships. “When you’re mentoring students, one of the things that you want them to understand is that you’re somebody they can talk to who is not only there as a teacher, but as a friend,” she said. Other top donors to the Minority Scholarship serve voluntarily as mentors to student awardees. TMA encourages those arrangements because they can benefit both parties.

Talk to Patients About: Hib - 08/12/2019

Talk to your patients about Haemophilus influenzae type b – or Hib, which, despite its name, does not cause influenza. However, Hib causes several severe illnesses, particularly meningitis, mostly in children younger than 5.

With Your Help, TMA Foundation Improved Health Throughout Texas - 08/02/2019

“Good health is priceless. That’s why your charitable gifts to TMA Foundation are so valuable.” That’s the message from Susan M. Pike, MD, president of the Texas Medical Association Foundation (TMAF), in its 2018 Annual Report.

Talk to Patients About: Meningococcal B - 08/02/2019

Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine is the new kid on the block for children and adolescents, having won Food and Drug Administration approval in 2014. This presents a problem for physicians: Because there is an older vaccine for the other types of meningococcal bacteria, many patients who’ve had that vaccine wrongly believe they’re also protected against MenB.

Vaccinations Available for Tarrant County Kids, Adults - 08/01/2019

Uninsured and underinsured Tarrant County residents can get low-cost vaccinations to prepare for school, and to prevent harmful and potentially deadly diseases. The Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Be Wise – ImmunizeSM program will join efforts with the Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County (ICTC) to provide vaccinations to local kids, as well as adults.

Keep Hib Germs Away: Vaccination Can Prevent Serious Childhood Illness - 08/01/2019

Many things aren’t harmful until they are. This applies to the Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacteria: It typically can live in our noses and throats without causing harm, but if Hib moves to other parts of the body, it can cause serious illness or even death.

Montgomery County Kids to Receive School Vaccinations - 07/29/2019

Montgomery County incoming schoolchildren can get free vaccinations at the Don’t Miss the Bus back-to-school event. Area kindergartners through 12th-graders can get a well check, along with vaccinations required for school to prevent harmful and potentially deadly diseases.

TMA Awards Minority Medical Student Scholarships, 2019 - 07/29/2019

Thirteen minority students entering Texas medical schools this fall each will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Texas Medical Association (TMA). TMA awarded the scholarships to the students today in Dallas at TexMed, TMA’s annual conference.

Texas Losing Ground in Disease-Prevention Battle, Physicians Warn - 07/17/2019

Some Texas physicians say the anti-vaccination movement is creating skepticism that could undermine the state’s ability to prevent a widespread disease outbreak. The state has fended off outbreaks in the past because a majority of Texans are vaccinated, but soaring vaccine exemptions could leave Texans vulnerable.

Talk to Patients About: Texas School Vaccinations - 07/08/2019

All Texas public schools (and most private schools) and colleges require students to have certain shots before they can attend classes.