In a heartfelt tribute to the late Houston anesthesiologist Charles Cowles Jr., MD, the Texas Medical Association Special Funds Foundation (TMASFF) Cowles Young Physician Scholarship Endowment awarded scholarships to its inaugural recipients in July – providing future medical leaders with support and inspiration to follow in its namesake’s footsteps.
The TMASFF Cowles Young Physician Scholarship Endowment was made possible with a $50,000 gift to TMASFF from the Houston Academy of Medicine in 2023.
The endowment commemorates Dr. Cowles by continuing his work promoting TMA leadership training opportunities for young physicians in Harris County.
An expert in operating room fire safety – a skill developed after a unique career as a paramedic, firefighter, and clinician – Dr. Cowles was also passionate about helping young physicians become leaders. He was an advocate for medical education and chair of TMA’s Council on Medical Education when he died in 2020 after a car accident at age 52.
Houston perinatologist Kathy Zhang-Rutledge, MD, and Houston reproductive endocrinologist Rashmi Kudesia, MD, are the scholarship’s first recipients. Dr. Zhang called the gift a “great and welcome surprise” that opened her eyes to how TMA “involves its members, listens to our voices, and develops the next generation of leaders.”
Both Dr. Zhang-Rutledge and Dr. Kudesia graduated from the TMA Leadership College in May. Dr. Kudesia, needing time to give birth, joined the program after deferring her admission.
She adds that scholarships like the Cowles endowment provide relief for young physicians balancing the financial strain of increasing practice expectations, often alongside new caregiving responsibilities that come with a growing family.
“As a young physician, you’re trying to do everything. From establishing your practice to building up academic credentials, it can be really hard,” Dr. Kudesia said. “It means a lot to have the support of TMA and [the TMASFF Cowles Young Physician Scholarship] program. I really feel like a valued member of my medical society.”
Dr. Zhang-Rutledge will kick off TexMed 2026 as a new member of TMA’s Committee on Patient-Physician Advocacy; Dr. Kudesia hopes to join TMA’s Committee on Reproductive, Women’s, and Perinatal Health.
Both Houston physicians will use their scholarship funds for travel expenses incurred during their time attending the Leadership College – and are honored to continue Dr. Cowles’ mission of advocating on behalf of medicine within local and state governments.
“Dr. Cowles’ work to support the young physician community was incredibly meaningful,” Dr. Zhang–Rutledge said. “Learning about him made me even more driven to continue to become a leader in medicine and to continue my journey with TMA. I know this is the right way to go.”
Arlo Weltge, MD, a Houston emergency physician and close friend of Dr. Cowles, called his late colleague a “rising star” among young TMA physicians.
“Charles Cowles was a dear friend. His loss, at such a young age … was a real tragedy. This [scholarship] is recognition of one whose time in leadership and this earth was way too short,” the past speaker of TMA’s House of Delegates said.
Physicians and others who want to contribute can donate online or send checks to Texas Medical Association Special Funds Foundation, Attn: Cowles Young Physician Scholarship, 401 W. 15th St., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78701. TMASFF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and contributions are fully tax-deductible permitted by federal law.
Harris County medical students also can potentially utilize Harris County Medical Society Alliance scholarships created to help with the cost of medical school. The scholarships are open to all third- and fourth-year medical students in good standing at a medical school within the county.
For information on scholarships and low-interest loans for medical students and residents, visit TMA’s Educational Loans and Scholarships page.
Alisa Pierce
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1469