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TMA Foundation SOLUTIONS Newsletter Fall 2024

  • Fall 2024

    President's Message

    Alt Tag

    The Power of Many

    The scholarships awarded and community health programs and galas featured in this Fall issue of SOLUTIONS demonstrate the collaborative work of Foundation-funded initiatives. This “power of many” is comprised of individuals who have chosen in their unique way to improve the health of ALL Texans: volunteers, donors, leaders and staff. Thank you for being one of the many that is ensuring more Texans benefit from the evidenced based programs and scholarships made possible by your support.

    Yours in good health,

    Carla Ortique, MD
    President, TMA Foundation

  • Gala 2025: Be Ready for ADVENTURE!

    Planned Giving

    Get set for ADVENTURE!, Texas Medical Association Foundation’s 32nd annual gala takes place on May 9, 2025, during TMA’s TexMed at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Spa and Resort.

    With the theme of ADVENTURE!, guests will feel they have been transported to a mountain lodge resort. There, rustic elegance will serve as the backdrop to an evening of generosity, with silent and live auctions featuring items and experiences celebrating the great outdoors.  

    Your ticket purchase or table sponsorship will support TMAF-funded initiatives to improve the health of ALL Texans, such as free health screenings to medically disadvantaged Texans, low-cost vaccinations, free bike helmets for children, giving kids science-based learning materials, and more. 

    We would like to recognize H-E-B as our top sponsor. Show your appreciation for their generous support by choosing H-E-B for your shopping needs. 

    Answer the call to adventure and mark your calendars now for a fun-filled evening. Individuals may sponsor a table starting at $2,750 or purchase an individual ticket starting at $350. Help set the stage for another record-breaking event. 

    Find more information and purchase tickets or a sponsorship on the TMAF website, or contact TMAF at (800) 880-1330, ext. 1664, or (512) 370-1664.  

  • Medical Students and County Societies Address Health Needs Across the State

    In Brownsville: McGovern Medical School’s Frontera de Salud program provides basic health screenings for uninsured and medically unserved residents. 

    In Travis County: Physicians can receive coaching and mentorship through Travis County Medical Society’s Physician Health and Wellness program.

    These are among the six TMAF Medical Community Grants approved this fall by the TMA Foundation Board of Trustees. Led by TMA members, these initiatives address health disparities and chronic conditions and improve health literacy. 

    Other projects receiving grants include:

    • Project BookEd by the University of North Texas Health Science Center TMA Medical Student Chapter. This trainee-led initiative addresses health disparities in children and families from refugee and underserved communities throughout Tarrant County.
    • The University of Texas Medical Branch TMA Medical Student Chapter’s ninth annual HOPE Health Fair. Bringing together family practice physicians, TMA members, and students from UTMB's schools of medicine, nursing, and occupational therapy, this event offers and promotes crucial health and social services to vulnerable patients in the greater Galveston area with health and support services.
    • Another University of Texas Medical Branch TMA Medical Student Chapter program seeks to reduce the disproportionate burden of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)-related Lower Extremity Amputation among Black individuals facing socioeconomic challenges. A documentary will be developed and distributed to increase awareness and expand understanding of risk factors.
    • The UT Southwestern TMA Medical Student Chapter will offer educational opportunities for those learning Spanish and a chance to practice what they learn through participation in community events. The Improving Spanish in Medical Students to Help Connect with Patients program will enable students to utilize their new skills during interactions with patients in the hospital and ambulatory settings.

    Read about all programs funded through the 2024 TMAF Medical Community Grant Program at www.texmed.org/TMAFGrantInfo. 

  • Scholarship Recipients Recognized for Inspired Achievements and Desire to Serve

    Bayardo Scholars

    Recipients of this year’s TMA Diversity in Medicine Scholarship program were honored at TMA’s Business of Medicine conference. “Each of our scholarship recipients’ life experiences will help them as future physicians to create a culture of medicine in Texas that is more inclusive, affordable, and accessible to those who need care,” TMA President-Elect Jayesh B. “Jay” Shah, MD, (far left) told the recipients during the scholarship reception held Oct. 12 in San Antonio. Dr. Shah chairs TMA’s Educational Scholarship and Loans Committee, which oversees the scholarship and is a member of the TMA Foundation Board of Trustees.

    TMA Foundation (TMAF) is proud to raise funds making it possible to award each recipient a $10,000 scholarship payable over the four years of medical school. Since 1998, TMA has provided 226 Diversity in Medicine Scholarships, helping diversify the physician workforce to meet the health care needs of Texans.

    “We are inspired by what [these recipients have] already accomplished, their motivation to serve, and their desire to improve the health of all Texans,” Kim Rice, MD, (far right) secretary of the TMAF Board of Trustees, told the recipients.

    Recipients are known as the “Bayardo Scholars” in recognition of the majority support provided by the TMA Foundation Trust Fund of Roberto J. Bayardo, MD, and the late Agniela (Annie) M. Bayardo of Houston. This year’s 16 recipients also are supported by generous gifts from the Patrick Y. Leung, MD, Endowment and annual gifts from H-E-B; Baldemar Covarrubias, MD, Corpus Christi; county medical societies; and gifts from physicians and their families. Top donors congratulated recipients in person at the scholarship reception. 

  • Impact the Future NOW

    Bayardo Scholars

    This year’s dedicated and inspiring winners of the TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching were recognized at a luncheon in Austin on June 29. They were joined by major donors Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler of Austin.

    Winners at the elementary, middle and high school levels and their schools receive cash awards. Meet the 2024 award winners and read their inspiring stories.

    The TMA science teaching awards program is funded by TMA Foundation thanks to a generous  endowment established by Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler of Austin and gifts from physicians and their families. To donate visit https://tmaf.ejoinme.org/donate. 

    “Helping young people experience science positively will open their minds to opportunities far beyond what they may otherwise imagine. Good teachers are the key.”

    Ernest C. Butler, MD, Austin
    Member, TMAF Advisory Council

  • Gala 2024: Another Record Success!

    More than 500 guests and 65 sponsors contributed to the record success of the 31st TMA Foundation gala, Wonderland. Held on May 3 at the Dallas Convention Center during TMA’s TexMed, the gala brought together friends and colleagues for an evening of fun and celebration to support TMAF’s mission: to fund initiatives with the power to help physicians improve the health of all Texans.

    Gala donors contributed more than $500,000 for the health improvement programs and medical student scholarships the TMA Foundation makes possible. We would like to recognize alliance and medical student member volunteers for their tireless efforts toward making the event truly exceptional. A special thank you to physician leaders from Dallas who served as co-chairs and are pictured above (l to r): Drs. Roger Khetan, Gary Weinstein, Donna Casey, Thomas Heil, Anita Khetan and Rainer Khetan. Their generosity and enthusiasm set a new record in funds raised!

    2023Chairs

  • Read Past Issues

    Spring 2024 Issue

    Fall 2023 Issue

    Spring 2023 Issue

    Fall 2022 Issue

    Spring 2022 Issue

  • Thanks to Donors

      • We greatly appreciate individuals and institutions who have contributed to TMAF since our Spring 2024 newsletter. Special thanks go to multi-year SOLUTIONS underwriters, Frost and TMA Insurance Trust.

    Donor Thank You List

  • Funding the Future Today

    Planned Giving

    The foundation’s General Endowment is unique in that it supports programs that change the lives of Texans as well as essential functions such as fundraising, program monitoring, and financial stewardship. These functions are the hallmark of effective not-for-profit organizations. Clifford Moy, MD, Houston, Treasurer and Finance Chair at TMA Foundation, is a strong supporter of the endowment’s vision. He recently donated $25,000 to the General Endowment in memory of his mother, Mamie Wong Moy. He is also a major donor to the 2016 million-dollar plus campaign that established the General Endowment as a permanent source of stability and support for generations to come.

    Reflecting on his donation, Dr. Moy said, “Endowments enable a charitable not-for-profit like the TMA Foundation to step out of survival mode and into a more secure future of funding worthwhile programs such as science and evidence-based initiatives. A very fitting memory to my mother who was a chemistry professor for 64 years and strongly supported S.T.E.M. education and careers.”

    Donors to the General Endowment like Dr. Moy make medicine’s trusted leadership highly visible and effective in improving the health of all Texans. Donations to the endowment are not spent but generate a portion of investment income that supports TMA charitable programs and TMAF operations. The TMA Foundation Board is committed to growing this fund to further strengthen and expand the mission of your foundation well into the future.

    We hope you will continue to keep the TMA Foundation General Endowment among your philanthropic priorities in 2024 and beyond. 

  • Gratitude From One Who Wishes to Serve

    Planned Giving

    Kayla A. Gutierrez is one of 12 Houston area nursing students who recently received a $10,000 scholarship funded by the TMAF Hispanic Nursing Scholarship Trust Fund of Dr. Roberto J. and Agniela (Annie) M. Bayardo. A first-generation Hispanic graduate attending Texas Women’s University, Kayla said “This extra support will eliminate my worries and enable me to fully immerse myself in studies and clinical training…Houston is my home and I intend to care for the people of my city through my nursing career and continued service as I aspire to become a future MD.” Thanks to the Harris County Medical Society Alliance and its coordinating member, Wendy Barr, PhD, RN, for administering these scholarship grants.

  • Two Great Ways to Give From Your IRA

    Planned Giving

    An IRA is an excellent way to save for retirement; simply contribute and enjoy tax savings. But eventually the tax bill comes due when you take your annual distributions and again when you leave your assets to heirs. If you’d like to avoid the tax bite and make an impact on our mission, consider a gift to TMA Foundation.

    Make Your Gift Today: If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free gift (up to $105,000 in 2024) to TMA Foundation.  You’ll pay no income taxes on the gift because direct transfers to TMAF do not generate taxable income or a tax deduction. If you are required to take minimum distributions, your gift can satisfy all or part of your obligation.

    Magnify Your Impact After Your Lifetime: You may name us as a beneficiary of your retirement account. It costs you nothing today. Here’s how: 1. Contact your IRA administrator for a change-of-beneficiary form, or simply download a form from your provider’s website. 2. Name Texas Medical Association Foundation and the gift percentage on the form. 3. Make sure to let us know about your plans so we may thank you.

    Learn more about giving from your IRA before and after you
    are 70 -1/2.

    How to Give From Your IRA

  • Pay Tribute to Someone Special!

    Planned Giving

    With so many people to thank and acknowledge this year, please consider using TMAF’s Holiday Tribute program to let those special people know how much you appreciate them.

    Make Your Gift Today

  • Have a question?

    Contact Sean Dunham.

    (800) 880-1300 ext. 1664 or
    (512) 370-1664
    Fax (512) 370-1664

  • Ask the TMA Knowledge Center

    Got TOPIC questions? Call the Knowledge Center.

    (800) 880-7955