ISSUE #1


SOLUTIONS Child Health Initiatives Win TMAF Award


On Jan. 28 at the TMA Winter Conference in Austin, TMA Foundation presented its 2017 John P. McGovern Champion of Health (COH) Awards to two Texas programs that that are creating a “Healthy Now” and a “Healthy Future.” This year’s top winner is “Seed to Soul” – Growing Healthy Families From the Garden to Table, a program of Promise of Peace Gardens, Dallas. The program promotes healthier lifestyles through a garden and cooking classes at Bayles Elementary School in Dallas. The second place winner is the “WATCH Champions of Health Award” of the Fort Bend Independent School District. The WATCH program recognizes schools that provide additional health improvement activities focused on tobacco prevention, physical activity and more.


The Champion of Health Award focuses on exceptional projects that address urgent threats to the public’s health, address TMA science and public health priorities, and further TMAF’s mission: to help physicians create a healthier future for all Texans. Established in 1995, the award recognizes the top winner with a $5,000 program award and the second place winner with a $2,500 program grant. Learn more about this year’s winners and past winners at www.texmed.org/TMAFGrantInfo.


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TMAF Board of Trustees members present the top 2017 TMAF John P. McGovern Champion of Health Award to Promise of Peace Gardens of Dallas. From l to r: TMAF board members Daniel V. Vijjeswarapu, MD; Lee Ann Pearse, MD; and Michael E. Speer, MD; Promise of Peace Gardens Executive Director, Elizabeth Dry; TMAF board members Matthew Edwards; Shannon Hancher-Hodges, MD; TMAF President Deborah A. Fuller, MD; and TMA and TMAF board member E. Linda Villarreal, MD.


Kudos to Health Leader


TMAF board member Rajam Ramamurthy, MD, was named 2017 Peace Laureate of San Antonio in a ceremony organized by the peaceCENTER, held on Feb. 5, 2017. Her contributions to the care of children, the arts, medical education in Texas and involvement with the Interreligious Council of San Antonio were highlighted. “In these troubled times compassion and generosity towards fellow human beings that is the natural state in all of us should be nurtured and projected by all of us,” says Dr. Ramamurthy.


On Feb. 18, 2017, the Texas Indo-American Physicians Society Southwest Chapter (TIPS) honored Dr. Ramamurthy with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Ramamurthy has served as president of the chapter, as well as president of the state-level TIPS. She also served as chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, the national organization.


TMAF Board of Trustees members present the second place 2017 TMAF John P. McGovern Champion of Health Award to Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD). From l to r: TMAF board members Michael E. Speer, MD; Lee Ann Pearse, MD; and Daniel V. Vijjeswarapu, MD; FBISD School Health Advisory Council Chair Nomita Bajwa; Deputy Superintendent Christie Whitbeck, PhD; Student Wellness Coordinator Stephanie Kellam; TMAF board members Matthew Edwards and Shannon Hancher-Hodges, MD; TMAF President Deborah A. Fuller, MD; and TMA and TMAF board member E. Linda Villarreal, MD.


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