Surprise Interrupts TMA Event Honoring Science Teachers

Sept. 16, 2014

A surprise interrupted Texas Medical Association's (TMA's) 2014 TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching ceremony this year. Just as one of the three honorees was about to be recognized for her outstanding influence on students' lives, a voice called out.

"She was my science teacher in high school," the voice from the doorway called, referring to one of this year's three winners, Mrs. Janet Jones of Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, as she was about to receive her award. (Click to watch the surprise interruption.)

The voice was Richard W. Snyder II, MD, a Dallas cardiologist and TMA physician leader. Inspired by Mrs. Jones' biology and clinical health studies classes, he grew up to become a doctor.

"What a wonderful thing to happen, because that is the whole reason why TMA gives out these awards: In hopes that these educators help create tomorrow's physicians by inspiring students in the field of science," said TMA Board of Trustees Chair Don R. Read, MD. "It's wonderful to see this come full-circle in real life; one by one we're growing doctors today to care for tomorrow's patients … and this award celebrates that inspiration."

Texas' physician shortage is well documented as the state ranks 42nd nationally in the number of active practicing physicians per 100,000 population. The state needs more doctors to care for Texans, and while some doctors migrate from other states and countries, many physicians are Texans who grew up wanting to care for their neighbors.

So science teachers like this year's first-place honorees - Rebecca Williams of Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Denton, Betty McCulloch of Clear Creek Intermediate School in League City, and Mrs. Jones - are working to increase students' interest in science. Then perhaps one day they will follow in Dr. Snyder's steps.

"That's part of the mission of TMA, to improve the health of Texans, create the next generation of doctors not only to be clinicians but physician advocates," said Dr. Snyder. "I think that's what TMA stands for, and that's definitely what Jan Jones inspired in me."

TMA is now accepting entries for the 2015 Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching. TMA awards each top recipient in the elementary, middle, and high school categories a $5,000 cash prize, and a $2,000 resource grant toward the honoree's school's science program. Second-place winners' schools each receive a $1,000 resource grant to enhance science classroom learning.

And perhaps a surprise "thank you" visit from a grateful doctor.

The TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching are supported by the TMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of TMA, thanks to an endowment established by Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler of Austin and a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which has generously supported this program for 10 years.

 

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 47,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 112 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. TMA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the association and raises funds to support the public health and science priority initiatives of TMA and the family of medicine.

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Contact:  Pam Udall (512) 370-1382; Cell: (512) 413-6807; e-mail: pam.udall[at]texmed[dot]org

Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; Cell: (512) 656-7320; e-mail: brent.annear[at]texmed[dot]org

Last Updated On

July 06, 2016

Originally Published On

September 16, 2014