TMA News Releases

Please click to see all current TMA News Releases by subject area.

Houston Physician to Host His First Anniversary Walk with a Doc Texas Event
Houston residents of all ages are encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and join Manish Parikh, MD, for his first anniversary Walk with a Doc Texas event.

TMA Celebrates 30 Years of Hard Hats for Little Heads
Thousands of Texas children are safer while riding bikes, scooters, and skateboarding, thanks to an idea a Texas physician had decades ago to give children helmets. As a result, Hard Hats for Little Heads, the Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) longest-running outreach program, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in October.

As School is Starting, Are Your Child’s Immunizations Updated?
As kids are returning to school, physicians have an important reminder for parents: Make sure your children are up to date on all immunizations.

COVID-19 Cases Up Again; What You Should Know
COVID-19 cases are up again, with case numbers in Texas and nearby states leading the way, according to two public health measurements.

TMA Applauds Appeals Court’s Ruling in Physicians’, Patients’ Favor
Statement by G. Ray Callas, MD, TMA president, in response to the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s ruling Friday in TMA’s favor. The court affirmed the district court’s decision in an appeal filed by several federal government agencies to TMA’s earlier victory in a lawsuit challenging certain components of the federal agencies’ final rules governing independent dispute resolution for surprise medical bills under the No Surprises Act. TMA argued the case in December 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The district court later ruled in TMA’s favor, prompting the federal government appeal.

Physicians: Carbon Monoxide Exposure Can be Deadly, Cause Permanent Organ Damage
More than a million people are still without power in Houston and Southeast Texas after Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas Gulf Coast on Monday, but their temporary solution could harm them. As people without electricity turn to alternate energy resources, physicians are reminding Texans about the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure.

Physicians: The Rising Number of Older Patients Requires Expertise on Aging, but Barriers Exist
As forecasters predict the number of people aged 65 and older in Texas will more than triple by 2050, doctors say the population will need more specialized physicians to meet the patients’ unique needs.

TMA Celebrates Outstanding Science Teachers for Educating Potential Future Physicians
The Texas Medical Association is honoring three exceptional Texas science teachers with the 2024 Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching. TMA recognized the teachers – Selene Verhofstad, EdD, of Pasadena; Christi Fuchs of Cuero; and Jamie Flint of Houston – at a ceremony in Austin.

TMA Bestows Highest Honor to Congressman Burgess at 2024 Conference
In recognition of his two decades of congressional service of writing, improving, and passing legislation to benefit patient care, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) today honored U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-Texas), with its 2024 TMA Distinguished Service Award. TMA leaders recognized Dr. Burgess at TexMed, the association’s annual conference held this year in Dallas. The award is TMA’s highest honor.

It’s Hot! Stay Hydrated and Remain Vigilant to Avoid Heat Exhaustion or Worse, Doctors Say
Texans are no strangers to hot temperatures, but physicians are warning Texans about the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. “As the temperatures rise and the heat index surges, we see more people in the emergency department suffering from heat-related illnesses,” said Hilary Fairbrother, MD, an emergency medicine physician and chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Emergency Medical Services and Trauma.

Telemedicine Continues to Connect Patients with Their Physicians
Texas physicians’ adoption of virtual visits with their patients increased significantly during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many patients continue to use telemedicine to see their doctor. Three out of four Texas physicians use telemedicine to see patients, according to a survey by the Texas Medical Association.

TMA Honors Outstanding Physicians, Medical Students, with 2024 Awards
The Texas Medical Association is honoring outstanding physicians and medical students across the state with awards for their contributions to their community and organized medicine. TMA recognized the honorees during TexMed, the association’s annual conference, held in Dallas.

TMA Foundation Honors Beaumont Physician with “Heart of Gold” Award
Beaumont neurosurgeon Mark Kubala, MD, was awarded the Texas Medical Association Foundation’s highest honor, the Heart of Gold Award. The foundation presents the award to outstanding individuals who embody a “gold standard” of volunteerism and have made a measurable impact on the foundation’s mission through gifts and leadership.

Galveston, Austin Clinics Receive TMA Foundation Health Awards
Two clinics that provide health care to underserved and uninsured communities In Galveston and Austin received the Texas Medical Association Foundation’s John P. McGovern Champion of Health Awards for 2024. The foundation presented the awards to the honorees during TexMed, TMA’s annual conference held in Dallas this year.

Physicians Sound Alarm to Curb Rising Congenital Syphilis Rates
Texas physicians are raising the alarm as cases of congenital syphilis, a dangerous illness for fetuses and newborn babies, are surging. Texas has the fourth highest congenital syphilis case rate in the nation, with cases skyrocketing 148% from 2017 to 2022, according to Texas Department of State Health Services data.

TMA Installs Beaumont Anesthesiologist as President
The Texas Medical Association installed Beaumont anesthesiologist G. Ray Callas, MD, as president during TexMed, the association’s annual conference, held in Dallas.

TMA Alliance Installs San Antonio Volunteer, Political Advocate as President
The TMA Alliance installed Ms. Jenny Shepherd to serve a one-year term as president Saturday during TexMed, the association’s annual conference held this year in Dallas. She is honored and excited to assume this role, and to continue her advocacy work.

TMA Elects Houston, North Texas, Central Texas, Panhandle Physicians to Board
The Texas Medical Association has elected representatives from Amarillo, North Texas, Houston, Temple, and Waco to serve on its ;Board of Trustees. These physicians will decide and implement TMA policies and deliberate various health care issues that impact the health and lives of Texans.

TMA Elects San Antonio Physician President-Elect
The Texas Medical Association elected San Antonio internist and hyperbaric medicine specialist Jayesh B. “Jay” Shah, MD, president-elect during TexMed, the association’s annual conference, held in Dallas. Dr. Shah is the first Indian American TMA president-elect.

Congress’ Failure to Stop Medicare Payment Cut Frustrates, Threatens Texas Physicians, Patients
"Congress failed patients and the physicians who care for them" when it failed to stop a 3.37% Medicare physician payment cut in the measure that averted the latest government shutdown on Jan. 19. So says TMA President Rick Snyder, MD, in reaction to the "extremely disappointing" news. Physicians and patients across Texas already are feeling the sting, and TMA will not let up in its efforts to protect them.

TMA Board Elects Officers From Houston, Denton, San Antonio, Keller
The TMA Board of Trustees has elected 2023-24 officers to lead the board. Members of the TMA governing body elected Houston ophthalmologist Keith A. Bourgeois, MD, as chair; Denton obstetrician-gynecologist Joseph S. Valenti, MD, as vice chair; and San Antonio internist and undersea and hyperbaric medicine specialist Jayesh B. Shah, MD, as secretary. The TMA House of Delegates also elected Keller family physician Greg Fuller, MD, as TMA secretary/treasurer.

TMA Welcomes New Court Ruling in NSA Lawsuit
Statement by Rick W. Snyder II, MD, Texas Medical Association (TMA) president, in response to the ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas regarding TMA’s third No Surprises Act (NSA) lawsuit.

TMA Pleased Court Strikes Down Steep Fee Hike and Batching Rules in NSA Cases
Statement by Rick W. Snyder II, MD, Texas Medical Association (TMA) president, in response to the ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on TMA's fourth No Surprises Act lawsuit. TMA challenged a 600% hike in administrative fees and batching rules used in arbitration cases governed by the federal law.

TMA Pleased by U.S. District Court Ruling Granting Summary Judgment Motion
Statement by Gary W. Floyd, MD, Texas Medical Association president, in response to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granting TMA’s motion for summary judgment in its lawsuit opposing certain components of federal regulatory agencies’ final rules regarding dispute resolution under the No Surprises Act.

Texas Physicians Explain Herd Immunity Needed to Fight Contagious-Disease Hotspots
A community with enough vaccinated people can protect each other from the spread of contagious disease. Herd immunity – also known as community immunity – protects those who are not immune and those who cannot or choose not to get vaccinated.

What’s Better, Immunity From a Shot, or From the Disease?
Although suffering through a disease sometimes gives you immunity from catching that same disease later in life, vaccinating against diseases instead is the safest way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Removing Texas Physicians From the Health Care Team Would be Harmful, Costly
Op-ed by Texas Medical Association (TMA) President Gary W. Floyd, MD, and Board of Trustees Chair G. Ray Callas, MD, about legislation proposing to give advanced practice registered nurses and other providers independent practice authority without physician supervision.