Mission Statement

The Mission of the Travis County Medical Alliance and the Travis County Medical Alliance Foundation is to assist the Travis County community with health related needs and to foster social networks for the families of medicine. The TCMA/ TCMAF works in conjunction with the Travis County Medical Society and is an affiliate of the Texas Medical Association Alliance.

 

Our History

The Travis County Medical Alliance, founded in 1924 as the Travis County Medical Society Auxiliary, has a history of supporting the citizens of Travis County. Our members enjoy general membership meetings with guest speakers, philanthropic opportunities, supporting organized medicine, and many social engagements.  Our members consist of the partners of Travis County physicians and Travis County physicians.

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Historical Highlights

1924-30 Members worked to ensure a pure milk supply, birth registration and smallpox vaccination.

1935-40 TCMSA worked to provide adequate hospitalization of TB patients and for the construction of a city-county colony for indigent cases near the city.

1941-45 War work was the main Auxiliary activity for these years. The Surgical Dressing Unit of the Travis County Red Cross was organized under the sponsorship of TCMSA, as well as nurse recruiting and nurses aid work.

1946-52  “Health is our Best Defense” was the theme as TCMSA stressed the importance of regular physical examinations and voluntary prepaid medical care. Their legislative concern was in the area of cancer control.

1953   Community service included the State Eleemosynary Institution, Heart Drive and Civil Defense. This was the year the Auxiliary began assisting the Blood Bank.

1956 Sponsorship of the District Science Fair began this year and has continued through to the present making the TCMA the longest continuous sponsor of the Science Fair - 65 YEARS!

1959  The Nursing Scholarship Fund was established. In the yearbook, members were advised to “Write Your Congressman and Pay Your Poll Tax.”

1964 The Medicine and Religion Committee was established to promote the philosophy of treating “the whole man.”

1967-68  The Vision Screening Project was initiated and continued for over 20 years. 

1975-76 The first Garage Sale was held to raise funds for our philanthropies.

1981-82  The Car Seat Loaner Program (Kids ‘N’ Cars), Shape Up for Life, and the Drug Abuse program were begun.

1982-83     The first Healthfest was held to promote healthy lifestyles, combining the efforts of both the Society and the Auxiliary to benefit Travis County.

1983-88 Programs for child abuse and teen pregnancy were established.

1986-87  TCMA raised more than $20,000 for the new Children’s Hospital of Austin (Brackenridge). The Fashion-Show Gala, Dinner Dance Benefit, became the major source of philanthropic fund-raising for the Auxiliary.

1990-91  The Auxiliary gave a $25,000 Presidential Endowed Scholarship to the University of Texas School of Nursing. The Auxiliary gave Austin Community College a $10,000 endowed scholarship for their School of Nursing. This was the first endowed scholarship Austin Community College had ever received. Monies were also designated for AIDS awareness and breast cancer education.

1991-92 County membership voted to change their name to Travis County Medical Alliance one month after State and National changed their names to Alliance.

1993-94     TCMA adopted its new star logo to strengthen its unity and identity with the TMAA.  The Alliance initiated two new community service projects addressing the public health issues of breast cancer awareness and low immunization rates in children.

1995-96  Healthfest and Healthfest Run were held for the fourteenth and final time.

1997-98   A new Community Service project was initiated, "Baby Think It Over", addressing Teen Pregnancy/Parenting. Dolls were loaned to Jr. High Schools.  The Joint Installation of the Presidents of the TCMS and TCMA was held for the first time in 32 years.  The first annual Past-Presidents lunch was organized.
1998-99  The Alliance took steps to become a more professional organization: the fiscal year was changed to mirror the TMAA and TCMS, the bylaws were updated, two brochures and a web site were developed. 

2002-04 The 78th Legislature met and many members participated in “First Tuesdays” lobbying efforts which were instrumental in passing the prompt pay bill, as well as Proposition 12 - medical malpractice and tort reform. As well as continuing the tradition of philanthropy to the community with Community Service grants totaling over $50,000.

2004-05  The biennial Legislative Reception was held for the first time this year and provided Society and Alliance members an opportunity to meet members of the Travis County legislative delegation. This effort won an award from the state while the gala won the national AMAA HAP award for originality of theme.

2005-06 Alliance members assisted the TCMS and the City of Austin in preventing spread of infection at the convention center which was being used to house over 4000 victims fleeing Hurricane Katrina.

2006-09 Volunteer efforts were focused on increasing childhood immunization rates, Hard Hats for Little Heads. Galas were held each year to raise money for numerous healthcare related philanthropies.

2010-13 During these years, the TCMA was recognized by the state for legislative, membership and dedication to the mission efforts. The AMAA awarded Travis County a Legislative award known as the LEAP Award.