Message From the TMAA President

The Tennessee Medical Association Alliance, formerly the Women’s Auxiliary to the Tennessee State Medical Association,  was organized in November 1927 during the annual meeting of the Southern Medical Association.  TMAA is a non-profit service organization comprised of spouses of physicians.  Over its 84 years of existence, the alliance has been effective in changing lives.

The four focus areas of the TMAA are Health Promotions, AMA Foundation, Legislation and Membership. 

Health Promotions:  TMAA focuses on health related needs in the community, initiating their own projects or providing volunteer hours and monetary assistance to charitable organizations.  Health Grants are awarded each year by the Philanthropic Committee.  Projects for  2011-2012 include:  SAVE (Stop America’s Violence Everywhere) materials.  “Fight  a Fever,” TMA Alliance will provide medical supplies and non-prescription medication for monitoring and control of fever symptoms  for 200 families in the Nashville area.  TMAA purchased an oto-opthalmoscope and a Colestech LDX to be used in the care of migrant workers.   Several thousand “Did You Know,” Nutrition Fact Sheets will be purchased and given to the Coordinated School Health Administrator in certain counties and the medical alliance provided meals at Brandon Hill Youth Heritage Garden. The statewide project  for 2011-2012  will  focus on “Childhood Obesity.” 

American Medical Association Foundation (AMAF):  The Mission of the AMA Foundation is to improve the health of Americans through philanthropic support of quality programs in public health and medical education.  Tennessee physicians and alliance members give generously each year.  For over 40  years, TMAA has been number one in the nation in fundraising for the AMA Foundation.  Donors  may choose from three categories for designating funds.  These categories include the Medical Scholars Fund, the Fund for Better Heath, and the Development Fund.  During 2010-2011, over $52,619.00 was raised through donations to the Holiday Sharing Card.

Legislation:  The most significant medical legislation passed this year was “The Tennessee Civil Justice Act of 2011.”  Effective October 1, non-economic damages such as “pain and suffering” will be capped at $750,000, or in catastrophic cases, there will be a $1 million limit.  The TMA Alliance supports legislative activities pertaining to health and health care approved by the Tennessee Medical Association.

Membership:  Membership is open to Physician, Medical Student and Intern/Resident Spouses in Tennessee. We are the family of medicine!   

Barbara Blanton
TMAA President 2011-12