For new Texas Medical Association Alliance President Joi Smith, a group of 27 fellow medical spouses at Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, Calif. presented a microcosm of what the alliance offers, namely, camaraderie and encouragement.
“They taught me what it means to be a physician spouse,” Ms. Smith said in remarks following her oath of office May 10, the final day of TexMed 2025 in San Antonio. “The resident wives gave me their unwavering support so I in turn could give Gary, the new Dr. Smith, all my support.”
Across 17 chapters that dot the state, the TMA Alliance, per its newly adopted mission and vision, seeks to connect and support physician families and build a healthy Texas through community outreach and advocacy – goals which form the backbone of TMAA’s revamped strategic plan to empower medical families and advocate for Texas medicine.
Ms. Smith, a six-year TMAA board member from Tyler, says the alliance, which comprises physicians, resident physicians, medical students, and their spouses and partners, advocates for medicine with one voice to promote TMA’s legislative agenda.
That piece of TMAA’s overarching focus complements the local events that member chapters host through TMA’s signature outreach programs, which span bicycle safety for youth, literacy, immunization education and access, and physician-led walks that spur activity and connection.
“In our communities, we organize Hard Hats for Little Heads events, giving out thousands of helmets and putting smiles on children’s faces,” Ms. Smith said “But my favorite is Texas BookShare. Putting books in the hands of children ... is one of the most important things we can do to ensure children have a better, healthier future.”
A 25-year member of the Smith County Medical Society Alliance, the new TMAA president recounted her journey as a member of a medical family.
As a teaching assistant, she instructed then-medical-student Gary Smith in a beginner piano class for adults through the University of Missouri’s extension program. Luckily, his procrastination with piano assignments didn’t derail his musical progress or a budding romance.
“As the semester ended, I gave Dr. Smith an A. He gave me an engagement ring,” Ms. Smith said. The group of resident wives she connected with shortly thereafter at Travis Air Force Base taught her the importance of rank in military protocol, let her know which rotations were going to be hard, and explained the secret to enjoying on-call holidays at the hospital: “Bring a lot of food, and especially cookies.”
Before administering the oath of office to Ms. Smith, outgoing TMAA President Jenny Shepherd detailed some of her biggest takeaways from her leadership tenure.
“I’ve learned the strength of vulnerability, the power of community, and the beauty of showing up – sometimes imperfectly, always wholeheartedly.”
The recently concluded run of TMA’s legislative advocacy event First Tuesdays at the Capitol, chaired by Ms. Shepherd this year, was the most successful to date with 1,500 attendees across four months’ outings and legislative update webinars. The record-breaking turnout encapsulates TMAA’s legacy of showing up and its ongoing commitment to telling medicine’s stories to political stakeholders firsthand.
It’s a mantle TMAA President Smith is proud to accept.
“I am proud to be an alliance member, supporting and connecting with physician spouses locally and throughout the state and being a voice for medicine and the physicians of Texas,” she said. “I am very excited and look forward to leading our organization. What keeps me coming back, year after year, is all of you and the amazing members of the Family of Medicine.”
Find out more about how the TMA Alliance powers advocacy, outreach, and community on behalf of TMA and join them on the alliance’s webpage.
Jessica Ridge
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1395