TMA established the Distinguished Service Award in 1962 as a special recognition for meritorious achievement in medical science, advances in public health, and exceptional service to the medical profession and the community.
Each year, TMA presents the Distinguished Service Award to a physician who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the medical profession in areas such as scholarly activity, professional development, advocacy, and community service. The TMA Board of Councilors ethical policymaking body oversees the award.
The DSA recipients are listed below:
2024 - U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-Texas)
2023 - Diana Fite, MD and Gilbert Handal, MD
2022 - David C. Fleeger, MD
2021 - William H. Fleming III, MD
2020 - Josie R. Williams, MD
2019 - Don Read, MD
2018 - Surendra K. Varma, MD
2017 - Robert Gunby, Jr., MD
2016 - Joseph P. Annis, MD
2015 - Donald Wayne Seldin, MD
2014 - Alan C. Baum, MD
2013 - Ernest C. Butler, MD
2012 - Virgina Boyd, MD - presented by Paul Thames, MD
2011 - Bohn D. Allen, MD - presented by Paul Handel, MD
2010 - Ladon W. Homer, MD - presented by Susan Rudd Bailey, MD
2009 - Robert M. Tenery, Jr., MD - presented by Hugh Lamensdorf, MD
2008 - Max C. Butler, MD - presented by D. Clifford Burross, MD
2007 - D. Clifford Burross, MD - presented by Max C. Butler, MD
2006 - Mark J. Kubala, MD - presented by David Teuscher, MD
2005 - William G. Gamel, MD - presented by J. James Rohack, MD
2004 - Phil H. Berry Jr., MD - presented by Robert T. Gunby Jr., MD
2002 - Betty P. Stephenson, MD - presented by Priscilla Ray, MD
2001 - Milton V. Davis, MD - presented by Susan Rudd Wynn, MD
2000 - George G. Alexander, MD - presented by Merle W. Delmer, MD
1999 - Sam A. Nixon, MD - presented by George G. Alexander, MD
1998 - Wm. Gordon McGee, MD - presented by Jim Bob Brame, MD
1996 - Jim Bob Brame, MD
1995 - Joseph T. Painter, MD
1994 - Ruth M. Bain, MD
1993 - Drue O. D. Ware, MD
1992 - James C. Mann, MD
1991 - Durwood E. Neal, MD
1990 - Merle W. Delmer, MD
1989 - James H. Sammons, MD
1988 - John J. Hinchey, MD
1987 - Joseph L. Goldstein, MD, and Michael S. Brown, MD
1986 - C. Lincoln Williston (Special Award)
1985 - Paul R. Meyer, MD
1984 - Charles Max Cole, MD
1983 - Robert D. Moreton, MD
1982 - John M. Smith, MD
1981 - Don G. Harrell, MD
1980 - Harvey Bell, MD and G. V. Brindley Jr., MD
1979 - Haden E. McKay Jr., MD
1978 - Jose G. Rodarte, MD
1977 - Wendell Hamrick, MD
1976 - Joe T. Nelson, MD
1975 - Byron P. York, MD
1974 - Harvey Renger, MD
1973 - Howard O. Smith, MD
1972 - Mario Ramirez, MD
1971 - Jarrell E. Miller, MD
1970 - Truman G. Blocker Jr., MD
1969 - May Owen, MD
1968 - Atticus James Gill, MD
1967 - G. V. Brindley Sr., MD
The first award was given in 1964. There were two recipients for the first award:
- George R. Harmann, MD
- Milford O. Rouse, MD
In 1965, 1966, and 1997 there were no awards given.