Lydia Soldano began her presidency of the Texas Medical Association Alliance (TMAA) in a speech to TMA’s House of Delegates on April 18 at TexMed affirming her dedication to service – and thanking the alliance for its “huge impact.”
As TMAA’s newest president, Ms. Soldano aims to use her expansive alliance experience to further the organization’s advocacy and service goals via three focuses: physician wellness, legislative impact, and community resilience.
“By bridging the gap between the Family of Medicine and the neighbors we serve, we build trust, understanding, and a healthier future for all,” she said. “Together, we can make meaningful progress in these areas.”
Likewise, she aims to continue the legacy of her predecessor, TMAA Immediate Past President Joi Smith, by finding new ways to strengthen the health of her community, whether through alliance-driven canned food drives or by promoting physician-led health events like Walk with a Doc.
Shortly after moving to the state capital in 2007, Ms. Soldano was invited to a local TMAA chapter meeting, where she was introduced to a “village for medical spouses,” one where “you don’t have to explain why dinner went cold, why plans couldn’t be made or changed, or why you are attending an event without your spouse,” she said.
Founded in 1918 by physician wives, TMAA is a diverse volunteer force of approximately 2,500 physician spouses, physicians, residents, and medical students from across the state who work to strengthen the Family of Medicine.
That work includes successful events started by the alliance, such as First Tuesdays at the Capitol and the party of medicine, where TMAA members and physicians educate legislators on pressing medical issues and encourage TEXPAC membership, respectively.
Over the years, Ms. Soldano has forged a path through TMAA and organized medicine, holding 14 separate alliance leadership positions while making time to get a master’s degree in education.
From serving as a TMAA liaison to TMA’s Committee on Membership – now the Council on Membership Experience – to her 2012-13 presidency of the Travis County Medical Alliance, Austin’s local chapter of TMAA, Ms. Soldano has given countless hours to advance medical community outreach programs and alliance membership initiatives.
“I’m deeply grateful to stand within a community that understands and supports each other,” Ms. Soldano said during her speech. “As the Family of Medicine, we share a unique calling – and with it, shared responsibility.”
Learn more about your county medical society alliance and join online.
Alisa Pierce
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1469