Physicians are more than doctors; they are leaders for their practices, communities, and peers. Answering the call from members to cultivate the skills needed for such roles, the Texas Medical Association will host a Leadership Summit – formerly Winter Conference – Jan. 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency in Austin.
Heeding members’ requests to extend TMA’s leadership training opportunities, the summit builds on principles in TMA’s existing Leadership College program and opens the door to physicians of all backgrounds and at any point in their career. Programming will center around three areas of leadership: personal, professional, and community.
Houston internist Janeana White, MD, now deputy local health authority for the Houston Health Department, says the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to look for leadership education with TMA. Although she only learned of Leadership Summit’s 2022 pilot event after the fact, she found the association’s approach to conference programming still met her needs at October’s Business of Medicine event.
“The [TMA] team, you can tell, was tremendously engaged. The topics were engaging,” she said. “Just the cross pollination of how we moved around with each other was different.”
TMA is continuing the trend of focused CME, speaker talks with real-world applications, and dedicated time to build connections with colleagues. Learning to lead and learning to navigate the leadership structures of organized medicine can be daunting, so TMA staff have designed the event for physicians of all experience levels.
Leadership Summit’s opening general session on Friday afternoon will feature lessons from The Art of Medical Leadership with authors Scott Conard, MD, a Dallas family physician and past member of the Council on Health Care Quality, and Suzan Oran, a leadership consultant with a background in helping practices.
Other must-see CME sessions are talks from some of TMA’s own leaders, including:
“The Value of Legislative Relationship-Building” with TMA President-Elect Ray Callas, MD, and Jimmy Widmer, MD, a member of the Council on Legislation;
A primer on organized medicine leadership with TMA Board Trustee Jayesh Shah, MD, and Jennifer Rushton, MD, a member of the Council on Health Care Quality and the Bexar County Board of Directors;
A panel on generational leadership differences, moderated by Shanna Combs, MD, chair of both the Council on Member Experience and the Women Physicians Section; and
A mock House of Delegates session with TMA Speaker of the House Brad Holland, MD.
“The caliber of speakers that [TMA is] bringing in are the caliber that are nationally renowned,” Dr. White said. “It’s not just somebody you're putting in the space without meaningful consideration of the needs of physicians. These are well-informed and strategic-thinking presenters who have a tremendous depth of experience. Their topics are relevant, and I’ve greatly benefited in my current role from the handouts and resources shared.”
Leadership Summit attendees will have a chance to network before and during the event. Arrive Thursday evening to attend a line-dance lesson at the Hyatt Regency, and stick around Friday evening for a networking happy hour with live music followed by the All-Conference Mixer with trivia and karaoke. Guests are welcome.
First-time conference goers and new TMA members will have an opportunity to learn about the association’s structure and goals at an exclusive brunch event. If you are new to TMA, or a tenured member who wants a better understanding of the association, email staff for details.
These events are an opportunity not just to unwind and socialize but also to build professional connections. Dr. White commends the chance to make such relationships.
“I enjoy the relationships and the camaraderie amongst my peers, and I found that to be very, very helpful,” she said. “As I’m looking to develop my career and long-term trajectory, it’s so nice to have such genuine support.”
Register now to reserve your seat. Early registration closes Friday, Jan. 19, and will resume on site at the hotel on Friday, Jan. 26. Be sure to book your room by Friday, Jan. 5, to ensure a special group rate.
For questions about Leadership Summit or for any other TMA conference information, please contact the TMA Events Team.