TMA Young Physicians Memo: Winter 2016

Winter 2016

Be One of Tomorrow's Physician Leaders 

The TMA Accountable Care Leadership Program graduated its inaugural class in November. The program helps to ensure physicians are leading the charge in health care transformation and supports the development of physician-led organizations. The program is recruiting for the 2016 class now. 

"Medicine is changing, and who better than TMA to help empower our physician leaders of today and tomorrow to adapt to, and help orchestrate, these changes?" said Tom Garcia, MD, TMA president. "I am truly excited that our TMA is offering physicians guidance to help them thrive and succeed in the leadership and business aspects of medical practice." 

TMA launched the Accountable Care Leadership Program with TMA PracticeEdge, a physician services organization designed to support physicians in taking advantage of new payment models.  

The program helps physicians adapt in a rapidly changing environment that demands more clinical and financial accountability. Payers are taking notice, with UnitedHealthcare the first on board to sponsor the TMA course with a financial grant.  

The course targets practicing physicians who recognize they need new skills and new tools to oversee change in their own organizations successfully. Participants in the 10-month certificate program get an education in topics like communication skills, teamwork, and population health management. TMA's Ad Hoc Committee on Accountable Care worked with The University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management faculty to develop the leadership program.  

UT Dallas' Healthcare Leadership and Management for Physicians certificate program delivers the program's primarily online curriculum. Physicians can access lectures, readings, quizzes, and case studies 24/7, putting in an estimated 10 hours of homework every three weeks. Ten months later, they earn a certificate from UT Dallas, plus more than 80 continuing medical education credits from TMA. About 20 physicians signed on to the pilot course, and future classes are expected to accommodate 25 to 30 participants. 

"After taking this course, I feel better prepared for the many changes that are coming in health care," said Brenda Vozza-Zeid, MD, a Henderson internist. "It has helped strengthen my leadership skills and helped me to better work with people and make positive changes in the future."

For more about the program, read "Creating Leaders" in the November 2015 issue of Texas Medicine

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Submit an Abstract for the 2016 Quality Poster Session

The TMA Council on Health Care Quality and TMF Health Quality Institute announce the fourth annual TMA Quality Poster Session to be held April 30 during TexMed 2016 at the Hilton Anatole Dallas. 

The TMA Quality Poster Session is a platform for physicians and medical students to share their breakthroughs and best practices for better patient care, especially in one or more of the six aims of quality care: that it be safe, timely, effective, equitable, efficient, and patient-centered. 

The TMA Quality Poster Session offers physicians a chance to gain exposure, network with Texas physicians, and have their work published. Here are just a few of the many reasons to participate:   

  • Present your poster to physicians from across Texas during a continuing medical education event at TexMed 2016.
  • Your abstract will appear on the Texas Medical Association website, which draws more than 75,000 visitors each month.
  • The top-three winners in each category receive a cash award.  

Abstract submissions are due no later than March 25, 2016. All accepted poster exhibitors will receive a travel stipend.  

Please tell colleagues about this event so they can take advantage of this enriching opportunity. For more information, poster parameters, and submission categories, or to see last year’s abstracts, visit the TMA website

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Don't Miss the 2016 TMA Winter Conference Jan. 29-30

Don’t miss the 2016 TMA Winter Conference, Jan. 29-30, at the Hyatt Regency in Austin. Join us for a casual mixer to meet your fellow young physician colleagues from 8 to 9 pm. Then attend the Young Physician Section Business Meeting immediately following in Hyatt Hill Country A. The meeting will feature elections for the Texas delegates to the American Medical Association Young Physician Section. Four one-year-term spots are available.  

To apply, submit a letter of intent and a current CV to ypsinfo[at]texmed[dot]org by Jan. 22. All other Executive Council positions will be elected at TexMed 2016 in Dallas April 29-30. A call for nominations will be issued following the conference. 

Register for the conference today, and reserve your hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Austin. Visit the TMA website for more information about TMA’s Winter Conference.  

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 Apply to Serve on TMA Boards, Councils, Committees

Volunteer to serve on a TMA board, council, or committee, and help shape the future of your association. TMA accepts nominations annually, and the incoming TMA president makes appointments, which will become effective at the conclusion of TexMed 2016 in Dallas. Members serve terms of one to three years. Young physicians can self-nominate via an abbreviated application posted on the YPS webpage. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 1, 2016.  

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 Help Shape the Next Generation of Medicine

The Texas Chapter of the American College of Physicians (TXACP) is seeking physician mentors for the summer 2016 General Internal Medicine Statewide Preceptorship Program (GIMSPP).   

Preceptors open the doors to their practice to provide a medical student with personal instruction, training, and supervision for three to four weeks. Students get the opportunity to observe the daily routine of the physician, experiencing the variety the practice of internal medicine provides. For physicians, benefits of preceptorship include:   

  • The opportunity to give back, while rekindling your passion for medicine. 
  • The ability to help advance primary care in Texas. 
  • An enriching experience for the student and preceptor.   

"GIMSPP isn't just good for the students, it's good for the preceptors," said Susan Andrew, MD, TXACP member and long-standing preceptor.  

Preceptors must be board certified in internal medicine, possess a current Texas medical license with no restrictions from the Texas Medical Board, and practice at least 40 percent to 50 percent general internal medicine apart from any other subspecialties.  

For more information on the program or to download the preceptorship application, visit the TXACP website

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 Mark Your Calendar for TexMed 2016 April 29–30

TexMed 2016 will take place April 29-30 in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole. The TMA Young Physician Section will meet at noon on Friday, April 29. Register early, and make hotel reservations to take advantage of the room rate of $199 per night, plus applicable taxes. This rate is available until March 31 or until the room block is full.

TexMed is TMA's premier educational showcase and expo that draws more than 1,500 Texas physicians, medical students, and medical office staff in one place over two days. If you've never been to TexMed, watch video highlights from past conferences. 

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 Renew Your TMA Dues Automatically 

Renew your 2016 TMA membership now, and don’t forget to select the "Automatic Dues Renewal" option. TMA can keep your credit card number on file securely and renew your TMA membership automatically each year, ensuring continued access to the many benefits and services and solutions for your practice headaches. Enroll today, get the TMA publication Business Basics for Physicians free of charge, and never worry about your benefits lapsing.  

Thanks in advance for helping TMA use your membership dollars for purposes more worthwhile than shuffling paper.  

To enroll, or to get all your practice and renewal questions answered, call the TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955, or login to your member profile at www.texmed.org

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TMA Resources Help You With the Business of Medicine

Check out TMA's white papers to give you a cutting edge in managing your medical practice. TMA's white paper, “Physician Prices, Fee Schedules, and Managed Care Contract Offer and Acceptance,” details the price of medical service, how to evaluate contract rates, insurance contract termination, and more. If you need some guidance on medical records, consult “Fees for Copies of Medical Records.” TMA white papers are free benefits of TMA membership. And check out TMA's publication Employment Contracts for Physicians: The Comprehensive Guide, Second Edition. Author Michael Kreager, a San Antonio attorney, details how to evaluate contractual arrangements so you can achieve and protect your best interest. 

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Stay Connected 
Keep up with important news, and connect with colleagues across the state through TMA’s Young Physician Section webpage

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Last Updated On

February 25, 2021

Originally Published On

April 05, 2016