League City family physician Renny Varghese, MD, used to consider the practice of medicine “pretty fragmented.” Divides across specialties, practice types, and parts of the state left him feeling “siloed.”
That changed when he joined his local county medical society. There he found a group of physicians from different backgrounds and focus areas unified behind a shared goal: advocacy to safeguard the profession while improving patients’ health. That common purpose, he says, made him feel “more connected than ever.”
“Physicians seeking to make connections first need to get involved at the local level,” Dr. Varghese told Texas Medicine. “The Family of Medicine … provides opportunities to create an environment that allows for collaboration.”
That sense of connection is the heart of the Texas Family of Medicine, a statewide network that unites more than 60,000 physicians, medical students, and residents, as well as their spouses, through organized medicine. It includes:
- The Texas Medical Association, the nation’s largest state medical society, which has boards, councils, committees, and sections comprised of members whose collaborative work shapes TMA’s policy and advocacy;
- Texas’ 110 county medical societies, local component organizations chartered by TMA that support physicians and offer networking and educational opportunities; and
- The TMA Alliance, a community of physicians’ spouses and partners, along with physicians, residents, and medical students that supports medicine’s advocacy and service goals while fostering networking and friendship.
Additionally, through the years, TMA has established multiple nonprofit organizations focused on promoting health or other charitable work relating to medicine, including:
- The TMA Foundation (TMAF), which was founded to support philanthropic purposes aligning with TMA’s mission;
- The TMA Special Funds Foundation, which provides loans and scholarships to Texas medical students and residents; and
- The Physicians Benevolent Fund, which helps Texas physicians and their families in times of need.
- TMA’s Office of Trust Fund Administration provides support to these organizations by administering a wide array of grants, scholarships, recognition programs, and awards that honor service and leadership in medicine.
One of TMA’s greatest strengths, Dr. Varghese says, is the variety of ways members can connect through their individual passions.
Manisha “Mona” Dave, MD, started her Walk with a Doc program before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years since, it has blossomed into a monthly community event that includes a cooking demonstration and healthy food-preparation tips.
“We pair eating and walking together ... we have a physical therapist, we do some stretches, and then we all walk together,” the Dallas pediatric gastroenterologist told Texas Medicine. “It’s incredible how the walk can really change the way people think about medicine.”
Programs like Dr. Dave’s are exactly the kind of connection Dr. Varghese has in mind when he describes what organized medicine offers.
“The Family of Medicine fosters connection – while TMA defends our profession,” Dr. Varghese said.
Alisa Pierce
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1469