May 1, 2015
The University of Texas Medical School at Houston (UTHealth
Medical School) has been named the Texas Medical Association Medical Student Section (TMA-MSS)
chapter of the year. The award was presented today during TexMed, TMA’s annual conference,
in Austin.
The annual Chapter of the Year Award, which began in 1998, recognizes the
TMA-MSS Chapter that excels in furthering TMA-MSS goals and policies for a
better Texas. The award recognizes leadership, dedication, and service to TMA
and the American Medical Association (AMA).
Kayla Riggs, immediate past president of the UTHealth
chapter, was instrumental in helping more medical students get involved in TMA
during her term as president. “When I took office in 2014, no first-year medical
students [MS1s] attended TMA Winter Conference,” said Ms. Riggs. “This year, we
have seven MS1s leading our chapter, and UTHealth is always represented at TMA
meetings.”
The chapter established an executive team and worked
together to recruit students to join TMA and AMA. The chapter also raised funds
to support service projects that benefit Harris County, such as fitting bike helmets
for local children through TMA’s Hard
Hats for Little Heads program and providing vaccinations to local children.
Finally,
the chapter encouraged participation in two elective courses at UTHealth
Medical School that allow medical students to learn about important aspects of
a medical practice not taught in the regular curriculum, including quality
improvement initiatives and medical policy, said Ms. Riggs.
Current UTHealth Medical
School chapter president Blake Henchcliffe said, “Our chapter laid a good
foundation last year, and we are continuing to build on that momentum by
mobilizing more medical students to become involved in medical advocacy and
community outreach.”
Chapters are nominated for this award by the TMA-MSS
Executive Council, student leaders from within the section elected annually to direct activities at the state level.
TMA is the largest
state medical society in the nation, representing more than 48,000 physician
and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component
county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to
improve the health of all Texans.
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Contact: Steve Levine (512) 370-1380; Cell: (512) 750-0971; e-mail: steve.levine[at]texmed[dot]org
Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; Cell: (512) 656-7320;
e-mail: brent.annear[at]texmed[dot]org