Tailored Programming: Upcoming TMA conferences meet physicians where they practice
By Alisa Pierce Texas Medicine September 2025

The Texas Medical Association’s Business of Medicine Conference returns Sept. 18-20 in El Paso with innovative new panels offering physicians practical solutions to economic challenges and real-world applications of augmented intelligence (AI) in health care.

To meet the diverse needs of its members across the state, TMA shifted the conference to West Texas this year for the first time, in conjunction with the association’s annual Border Health Conference. There, physicians can commence the weekend learning about solutions to pressing health care issues on the Texas-Mexico border, starting Thursday, Sept. 17, from 8 am to 2 pm.

Over seven hours of educational programming will be available at the Business of Medicine Conference. Attendance is free for TMA members who register before Friday, Sept. 12; those registering on-site will be subject to a $25 fee. 

The conference’s general session will include a keynote presentation from physician-panelists on how to utilize AI in health care, including by leveraging the technology to ease the burden of administrative tasks. The presentation will conclude with a brief Q&A.

Here’s a look at the rest of the weekend lineup:

• Following a small break in the exhibit hall, hosted by TMA sections, four concurrent, in-depth panels will explore how AI can be deployed for specific practice needs, such as transcribing, chart summaries, and developing patient education materials.
• Saturday’s Ask the Expert panel from 8-9 am will feature practice management tools and insight into physicians’ business development.
• A legislative update led by TMA Chief Lobbyist Clayton Stewart and a mock House of Delegates session will follow, or physicians may attend a presentation on common employment contracts.

After a break for lunch, the conference will continue with breakout panels on common health plan contracts and a session presented by TMA’s Women Physicians Section and sponsored by TMA Insurance Trust.

And don’t forget the social events: Members are also invited to attend an evening social on Thursday, Sept. 18, 4-6 pm at the Sky Garden, located above the historic Plaza Theater with views of downtown El Paso.

On Friday, attendees can strengthen their business connections at the conference’s networking happy hour in the Exhibit Hall, featuring drinks and live music. The All-Conference Mixer will begin at 8 pm at the Hotel Paso Del Norte.

Registration is free for TMA members, county medical society and association staff, and Texas Medical Association Alliance members. Early registration closes Friday, Sept. 12, and will resume on-site on Friday, Sept. 19.

Tyler on deck

Members across the state should also be sure to register for the first iteration of a brand-new TMA conference series kicking off this year: Local Medicine Matters in Tyler, Oct. 24-25.

Far from a one-size-fits-all event, Local Medicine Matters will provide physicians with regionally focused CME and networking opportunities – designed with help from the Smith County Medical Society (SCMS) – to better meet the needs of physicians in the area.

The event’s multiple CME offerings will touch on AI in health care, evolving billing and coding requirements, and TMA’s multiple wins during the state legislative session. More than four hours of educational programming will be available at the conference.

Likewise, conferencegoers and their guests are invited to attend a membership happy hour at the Grove Kitchen and Gardens, Friday, Oct. 24. The next morning, attendees can meet with patients and enjoy views of Tyler’s world-famous flowers during a Walk with a Doc event in the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center’s rose garden, on Saturday, Oct. 25, 8-8:30 am. The walk was added to the conference schedule after SCMS members signaled a desire to support TMA outreach programs across the weekend.

Lena Banks, TMA’s vice president of member experience and business intelligence, says that future Local Medicine Matters conferences will follow the same formula of utilizing input from local county medical societies to hand-tailor the event.

In years without a state legislative session, the association plans to host two local conferences. While just one will occur in 2025, TMA plans to visit West Texas in 2026 with the next planned Local Medicine Matters in Abilene.

Early registration for the Tyler conference closes Tuesday, Oct. 21, and will resume on-site on Saturday, Oct. 25. Early registration is free to TMA members; on-site registrants will be charged a $25 fee.