May 9, 2025
The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is honoring outstanding physicians and medical students across the state with awards for their contributions to their sections of the association’s membership, their community, and organized medicine. TMA recognized the honorees during TexMed, the association’s annual conference, held in San Antonio this year.
Each year, TMA’s various sections – young physicians, residents and fellows, and medical students – recognize individuals representing their unique areas in the Family of Medicine. The awards celebrate outstanding leadership, mentorship, and civic involvement.
This year’s honorees (listed alphabetically by city):
College Station
The TMA-MSS also selected Texas A&M University School of Medicine in College Station as the 2025 Chapter of the Year among all Texas medical schools. “I am immensely proud of the great strides my chapter has made in the past year in the pursuit of their passions for advocacy,” said chapter president Stephen Kwong. “I look forward to the road ahead for Texas A&M.” The section recognized the medical school’s participation in TMA councils and committees, as well as policymaking; and community outreach initiatives including a student-run clinic, a health fair to benefit an underserved community, and a TMA Hard Hats for Little Heads giveaway.
Dallas
Dallas palliative medicine physician Mark A. Casanova, MD, won the Young Physician Section Young at Heart Award for encouraging young physicians to pursue leadership and involvement in organized medicine. “Mentorship is why so many of us are involved in organized medicine, so to know I have played a part in serving as a positive role model to physician colleagues coming behind me truly means the world,” said Dr. Casanova, whose mentorship and encouragement were noted by nominators. He serves on the TMA Council on Legislation and is a member of the Dallas County Medical Society.
The TMA Medical Student Section (TMA-MSS) selected Dallas medical student Alexander Le as the section’s 2025 Student of the Year. Nominators said the Texas A&M College of Medicine at Dallas student fostered a culture of advocacy, inspired classmates to join TMA committees, and led his school’s outreach activities. “I believe deeply in medicine's potential to transform lives – not just in clinics, but through policy, equity, and public health – and I’m grateful to continue learning from and working alongside others to build a healthier, just Texas and beyond,” said Mr. Le. He is a member of the Dallas County Medical Society, serving on its Legislative Affairs Steering Committee.
The TMA Resident and Fellow Section selected Dallas internist Subhan Tabba, MD, for its J.T. “Lamar” McNew Award, for promoting residents’ and fellows’ participation and advocacy. “My hope is to keep encouraging others to speak up, to stand up, and to understand the power we hold when we do it together,” Dr. Tabba said. “I want to lead in a way that shows how deeply fulfilling it is to … help create space for the next generation of leaders, changemakers, and advocates.” He is a consultant to the TMA Committee on Medical Home and Primary Care and a TMA Leadership College participant. He also is a member of the Dallas County Medical Society.
Lubbock
The TMA-MSS also selected Lubbock internist Cynthia A. Jumper, MD, as winner of the section’s 2025 C. Frank Webber, MD, Award, recognizing her for outstanding service to the section and its members. Students noted her extraordinary service, leadership, and her impact as a “trailblazer” for students. “Dr. Jumper’s legacy lies in her role as a mentor and educator,” her nomination reads. She inspires students to pursue leadership in medicine, “mirroring Dr. Webber’s commitment to mentorship.” Having focused her career on education, Dr. Jumper says this acknowledgement is validating. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” she said – choosing to borrow the late Nelson Mandela’s quote. Dr. Jumper served as vice chair of the TMA Board of Trustees in 2024-25.
Temple
Temple hematologist and oncologist Pruthali Kulkarni, DO, was selected for the TMA Resident and Fellow Section’s Member of the Year Award. “I am so grateful for this recognition and all the opportunities I have had through our organization,” said Dr. Kulkarni. “I have not only enjoyed amazing mentorship through the years, but also an empowerment to continue building and giving back. I intend to continue using my voice and my experience in driving change and advocating for my peers and our patients.” She serves on the TMA Committee on Cancer and just concluded her term of service representing the section on the TMA Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Bell County Medical Society.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 59,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
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TMA Contacts: Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320; email: brent.annear@texmed.org
Swathi Narayanan (512) 370-1382; cell: (408) 987-1318; email: swathi.narayanan@texmed.org
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