TMA Health Beat

TMA Physicians: Diabetes Complications Can Be Devastating

In a new episode of the TMA Health Beat podcast, physicians are reminding Texans about the dangers of undiagnosed or unmanaged diabetes.  
Over 38 million people in the U.S. live with the disease. About 90% have type 2 diabetes – which causes a spike in blood sugar levels and can lead to serious health problems.
“The burden of disease is profound,” said Brandon Cantazaro, MD, an internist in the Rio Grande Valley and member of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Health Promotion.
Wound care physician and TMA President Jayesh Shah, MD, said by the time diabetes patients come to him their condition is very serious, including having cuts that won’t heal due to poor blood circulation, sometimes leading to amputation.
Drs. Shah and Cantazaro say diabetes can be managed. They say it is important for patients to consult a physician and make lifestyle changes like exercising and improving their diet to reduce their blood sugar levels.
 
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.
 
 
 
 

TMA Supports Guidelines Recommending Younger Breast Cancer Screening Age

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis affecting women aside from skin cancer – and cases are increasing among Texas women under age 50 – so the Texas Medical Association (TMA) is advocating routine screening for women at age 40.
At its 2025 annual meeting, the TMA House of Delegates adopted policy supporting the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommendation that women of average risk begin undergoing annual mammograms at age 40, with no upper age limit.
In a new episode of the TMA Health Beat podcast, Terri L. Woodard, MD, co-chair of the TMA Committee on Cancer, said, “We want fewer women to die of cancer.  We want people to have access to screening and literally save their lives.” The committee advocated for TMA to support the policy recommendation.
Photo credit: Viacheslav Yakobchuk – stock.adobe.com
NOTICE:
This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.
 

Concho Valley County Medical Society Grows Hard Hats for Little Heads Program

The Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Hard Hats for Little Heads outreach program started in San Angelo in 1994. More than 30 years later, the Concho Valley County Medical Society is ensuring the program continues to grow in the city.
“Medicine is a caring profession where we're trying to give back to guide patients for healthier lives,” said Stuart Abramson, MD, the immediate past president of the Concho Valley County Medical Society. He has hosted Hard Hats events for over 8 years.
Hard Hats is TMA’s longest-running outreach program. Texas physicians have distributed more than 424,000 helmets to Texas children since its inception. The program aims to reduce head injury among Texas children while on a bike, riding a scooter and skating. A properly fitting helmet can prevent almost all head injuries – up to 85%.
“We could care for one or two kids in the ER after they got a traumatic brain injury or after they have a skull fracture or a major concussion, or we could work on ways to … prevent these injuries by just giving them a helmet to protect them,” said Josiah Ward, DO, a pediatrician and the medical society’s current president.
In addition to the Hard Hats events, the county medical society also held its first Texas BookShare event – a TMA outreach program that promotes literacy.
Learn more about how this medical society is giving back to the community through the Hard Hats and Texas BookShare programs, in a new TMA Health Beat podcast episode.
 
 
 
 

TMA’s Vaccines Defend What Matters Grant Helps Keep Kids Safe from Diseases

Texas Medical Association’s Vaccines Defend What Matters program provides grants up to $3,500 for vaccination efforts, education, and community outreach in Texas. In a new episode of the TMA Health Beat podcast, physicians speak about the importance of getting vaccinated especially as Texas encountered the worst outbreak of measles in decades. Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease.
“Giving your child a vaccine is an act of love. It's one of the simplest, safest ways to defend them from serious harm,” said Lindy McGee, MD, chair of the TMA Committee on Child and Adolescent Health and a Houston pediatrician.
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
 
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
 
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.
 

Meet Walk With a Doc Founder David Sabgir, MD

David Sabgir, MD, started Walk with a Doc 20 years ago to help his patients lead a healthy lifestyle. What started as one walk has now become a global movement with 600 physician-led chapters taking monthly walks. Recently, he was in Texas and met with physicians, Texas Medical Association Alliance members, and students. 

Physicians, TMA Alliance Members and Medical Students Advocate for Patients at the Texas Capitol

On the first Tuesday of every month during the state’s legislative session, physicians, Texas Medical Association (TMA) Alliance members, and medical students gather in Austin to meet with lawmakers and speak to them about important health care issues. This advocacy event is called First Tuesdays at the Capitol. In this episode of TMA Health Beat, TMA members discuss why they make the effort.
TMA and TMA Alliance members, join your colleagues for the final First Tuesdays at the Capitol event this legislative session, taking place on May 6. Click here to sign up.

Health Plan Prior Authorizations Delay Patient Care

Insurance plans require physicians to get pre-approval for certain medications, tests, and procedures their patients need. This extra step is called a prior authorization. Physicians say the process has become costly, burdensome and can delay patient care. In this podcast the Texas Medical Association takes an inside look at how physicians and their staff handle the prior authorization process and their frustrations trying to take care of their patients.

Importance of Getting Vaccinated as Measles spreads in West Texas

A measles outbreak in West Texas is spreading. More than 100 people are sick and one child has died as of this February posting. Most of those affected are unvaccinated. Ronald Cook, DO, family physician, TMA physician leader, and health authority of the City of Lubbock and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, speaks about the infectious disease and importance of getting vaccinated.
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Dealing with Anxiety & Depression During Holidays

The holidays can be difficult for those with anxiety and depression. They may struggle for many reasons including loneliness or because they have lost a loved one. Sarah Lynette Martin, MD, a psychiatrist in El Paso and member of TMA’s Committee on Behavioral Health, talks about what causes depression and behavioral health decline during the holidays and why it is beneficial to get help as soon as possible.
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Medicare Payment Cuts Affect Physicians and Patients

With another Medicare payment for physicians cut on the horizon, Texas doctors are urging Congress to pass the new bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024. This will provide temporary relief from the Medicare cut for one year and a modest increase in payment. If lawmakers don’t act, many physicians say their practice’s viability will suffer and they might not be able to care for as many Medicare patients as they wish to. They worry access to health care will be impacted.
Note: The American Medical Association (AMA) provided audio of Bruce Scott, MD, AMA president. His entire speech can be found here.