For physicians balancing administrative demands, busy schedules, and other challenges unique to health care, finding time to stay connected with organized medicine and up to date with ever-changing practice information can feel like “a monumental burden,” Marble Falls ophthalmologist Kelly Green, MD, said.
The 25-year member became familiar with the program last year when members of her medical society expressed a desire for more information about TMA’s legislative efforts. She reached out to TMA staff, who happily scheduled a visit from then-TMA President G. Ray Callas, MD.
At the time, Dr. Green didn’t know a presentation from the association’s president was a feature of TMA’s Ambassador Program – in fact, she didn’t know the program existed at all. She thought she’d have to wait weeks for Dr. Callas to find time to visit the Burnet-Lampasas-Llano CMS – of which Dr. Green is the current president – if he could do so at all.
Not only did she learn he was available and “very excited” to visit, but that TMA regularly sends its presidents and staff to county medical societies to give valuable presentations through its Ambassador Program, many qualifying as CME.
For years, the Ambassador Program has connected local physicians and CMSs with TMA staff and physicians who provide free presentations and information on issues ranging from advocacy and leadership to practice management and health information technology. By broadening TMA’s reach and encouraging grassroots engagement, the program helps strengthen member retention, foster a more informed and impactful physician community, expand access to education, and reinforce the association’s role as a resource for physicians across Texas.
The program also serves as an important relationship-building tool, says Morgan Cotham, TMA’s manager of member engagement. Local meetings supported through the Ambassador Program give physicians opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, exchange ideas, discuss shared challenges, and provide feedback to the association, she says.
In this way, “TMA serves as an ambassador for Texas physicians,” Ms. Cotham told Texas Medicine, noting the association’s goal is to connect with members in their own communities.
“Not every physician can travel across the state for conferences, but they still deserve access to timely information and support,” she said.
Ms. Cotham says after a county medical society or a group practice that has 100% TMA membership requests a visit through the program’s online form, the association sends the group informational materials to prepare for their upcoming presentation and instructions to self-report CME. Almost all Ambassador Programs presentations are eligible for one hour of ethics CME.
In Dr. Green’s case, her medical society was provided with flyers explaining TMA’s legislative positions and how physicians could get involved with key advocacy events like First Tuesdays at the Capitol.
From there, Dr. Callas’ presentation served as what Dr. Green called a “focused” update on issues TMA was busy tackling at the Texas Capitol during the 2025 legislative session. Dr. Green says the presentation also gave medical society members opportunities to ask questions and make recommendations on how the association could strengthen its position on topics ranging from scope of practice to physician payment reform.
“We had a very lively meeting,” said Dr. Green, a former member of TMA’s Council on Member Experience. “It was like TMA created the presentation just for us.”
Dr. Green says the presentation went so well that her fellow medical society members asked for another in 2026. Happy to oblige, TMA sent current TMA President Bradford W. Holland, MD, to the area. After the success of Dr. Callas’ presentation, droves of physicians showed up to hear from the Waco otolaryngologist – some even bringing new colleagues for the talk.
“Dr. Holland’s speech was extraordinary,” Dr. Green said. “He has the unique ability to communicate truths which are sometimes hard for physicians to hear – like the many challenges we face at the Capitol – while at the same time making space for jokes and community.”
Dr. Green’s group wasn’t the only medical society to host a legislative-themed presentation this year. Victoria nephrologist George Osuchukwu, MD, reaches out to TMA twice a year to schedule an Ambassador Program presentation. For Dr. Osuchukwu, the most recent February legislative presentation to the Victoria-Goliad-Jackson CMS “really highlighted the importance of a TMA membership.”
“We are a small county medical society, and without this program wouldn’t be able to find or even afford informative speakers like those through TMA,” he said. “TMA really shows up for small groups like us.”
