TEXPAC Alliance A Strong Dynamic for Texas Medicine

TEXPAC Alliance
Member Rep. Susan King meets with physicians during First Tuesdays.

With endless energy, members of the TEXPAC Alliance have made a sizeable impact on Texas politics. In 2006 and 2007 the TEXPAC Alliance elected one of their own to the state House, lobbied Texas office holders by the hundreds and spent hours on the campaign trail ensuring victory for friends of medicine.

As 2008 approaches and the country turns its attention to the presidential election, the TEXPAC Alliance will help to ensure medicine's interests are not forgotten as citizens elect a new Congress, 150 state Representatives, 15 senators, and countless state and local judiciaries. Our alliance members realize that raising money is a critical part of medicine's success at the polls. However, we also know that the relationships we establish with office holders by volunteering on their campaigns is priceless. If you would like to join to our volunteer pool, call Paula Frey at (800) 880-1300 ext, 1361.

June Bratcher Award for Political Action

Congratulations Maureen Priestner! Awarded the June Bratcher Award for Political Action at TexMed 2007. The award was presented by Pat Hyer, the 2003 June Bratcher award winner.

The June Bratcher Award for Political Action is a biennial award presented to a physician spouse for significant involvement in a federal or state level political campaign. Created in 1987, the award is modeled after the American Medical Association Political Action Committee's Belle Chenault Award and is named for the first Belle Chenault winner, longtime TMA Alliance leader and political trail blazer, June Bratcher of San Antonio.

The award is presented in the spring of each odd-numbered year in recognition of efforts during the previous election cycle. The June Bratcher Award winner also becomes the Texas nominee for the Belle Chenault Award. Our most recent June Bratcher Award winner, Maureen Priestner of Abilene, helped elect fellow alliance member Susan King to her seat in the Texas House. Maureen's county alliance, the Taylor-Jones-Haskell Chapter, also received the TMAA's Mary Ann Homer Award for Legislative and Political Action. Maureen's extraordinary dedication to the community of Abilene and the communities of medicine was recognized with a House Resolution during the 80th Legislative Session.

Take a moment to view past June Bratcher Award winners and history of the award. If you are interested in applying for the 2009 June Bratcher Award, or would like to nominate someone, log your volunteer activities! The application process will begin in December of 2008 for activities during the upcoming election cycle.