Program Overview

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level?

Are you called to lead but worry you don’t have the skills necessary to inspire a team? Do you have ambitions of taking on a leadership role in organized medicine, your practice, or your community? Have you already served in a position of leadership but want to pursue additional opportunities to grow and learn?

The TMA Leadership College (TMALC) was established in 2010 to develop strong, sustainable physician leadership in Texas. Since then, over 250 TMALC alumni serve as thought leaders within organized medicine, closing the divide between clinicians and health care policymakers. As confident physician leaders, they are trusted voices in their profession and their communities.

Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? 

Applicants must be active TMA members in good standing and in their first eight years of practice post-residency/fellowship. TMALC alumni represent a variety of specialties and practice settings – the main requirement for participation is a desire to learn, grow, and have a positive impact on the field of medicine.

Applicants must agree to attend all scheduled class sessions. Click here to view the 2024-25 schedule.

If, at any time, a scholar’s TMA membership status changes or fails to meet the program’s eligibility criteria, continued participation in the college will be subject to review by the TMALC Executive Committee.

Fees and Expenses  

TMA is pleased to offer the TMA Leadership College program free of charge. (Valued at $4,000 per person). 

All classes are held in Austin, with the potential exception of the final meeting and graduation, which is held in conjunction with TexMed and therefore changes location annually. Travel and hotel accommodations are the responsibility of participating scholars and are estimated to be approximately $2,000 over the course of the year. TMA will secure convenient and reasonably priced hotel room blocks for each class session. Program materials, breakfast, and lunch will be provided.

Limited funding is available to support scholar travel expenses, with priority given to requestors traveling from rural areas or demonstrating exceptional financial need. Requests for funding should be indicated in the online application. 

Application and Scholar Selection Process 

Complete applications consist of four elements:

• A completed online application, which includes background and contact information, leadership experience in organized medicine and/or the community, and a 250-word written response describing your health care passions and leadership goals;
• Two letters of reference from colleagues (fellow physicians or other care team members) that speak to the applicant's leadership performance or potential and commitment to continued development;
• A current CV; and
• A recent professional photograph or "headshot."

Note: Each of the four elements above must be included/uploaded with the online application. The system will not accept an application without the required files. Please do not email any materials directly.

Applications are evaluated by the TMALC Executive Committee. The committee makes its selection based on a variety of metrics, but considers the following key questions:

• Has the candidate taken an active role in organized medicine? Have they gotten involved at the county, state, national, or specialty level?
• Does the candidate exhibit a commitment to leadership development over time - for instance, have they taken on leadership roles in their clinical setting or community?
• Are their written responses well-defined, insightful, and introspective?
• Will the candidate contribute a unique perspective to class discussion based on their background, experience, or expertise? 

Questions?  

Contact Melanie Fossett, TMA sections and leadership programs manager, at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1443, or leadershipcollege[at]texmed[dot]org.