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TMA Physicians Benevolent Fund Helps Sustain Medical Families in Need
By Tammy Wishard

Healer. Comforter. Hard-working. Resilient. Skilled. Empathetic. As we honor our physicians on National Doctor’s Day for all the invaluable roles and noble qualities you offer your patients and communities, remember the Texas Medical Association is here if you encounter times when you need help, hope, and healing through The Physicians Benevolent Fund (PBF).

The physician whose career was cut short by an auto accident; the widow left to raise the couple’s four young children; the physician who delayed treatment for substance abuse or depression because of concern about the family’s finances - PBF has bridged the gap for countless medical families with support for physicians who may need to rebuild their home, family, or career because of personal financial crisis.

These families often say they had nowhere else to turn for help, and that PBF saved their lives: “The care and encouragement we received equaled the much-needed financial aid,” said one recipient, who received financial support several times over a period of years to sustain her family’s health and well-being. (TMA strives to protect the anonymity of fund recipients.)

The late May Owen, MD, a Fort Worth pathologist and past president of TMA, started PBF in 1961 with a $2,500 donation to help physicians in distress.

“Dr. Owen's foresight and recognition of this unmet need within the medical community set the course for this now-thriving, charitable program,” said TMA Alliance member Sue J. Bailey, Austin, immediate past chair of the Physicians Benevolent Fund Committee.  

If you know of someone in financial need or find yourself there, contact PBF director Chris Johnson by email or at (512) 370-1602. Or visit the PBF webpage for qualification details and the confidential questionnaire.

If you’d like to help sustain the funds to support physicians in need, contribute via , or send a check to The Physicians Benevolent Fund, Attn: TMA Finance Department, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701-1680. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law and may be in the form of honoraria or memorials. 

Last Updated On

March 29, 2022

Originally Published On

March 29, 2022

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Physicians Benevolent Fund

Tammy Wishard

Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing

(512) 370-1470
tammy.wishard[at]texmed[dot]org  
Tammy Wishard

Tammy Wishard is an account manager in TMA’s Marketing Department. She works with TMA’s Office of Trust Fund Administration and other departments to help communicate the broad range of services and resources TMA offers its members. She has a 25-plus-year history with TMA, where she started as a writer/editor. Tammy, a proud Iowa native, is a graduate of Abilene Christian University.

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