First Tuesdays in Austin
About 400 Texas physicians, medical students and TMA Alliance members
advocated for medicine face-to-face with state lawmakers during the
April First Tuesday at the Capitol.
Students from UT Southwestern were among the 200 medical students
who joined physicians in meetings with legislators about issues such as
increasing the legal age to buy tobacco products and streamlining prior
authorization procedures.
Since the “White Coat Invasion” began in 2003, it has been an effective
way to ensure that our state lawmakers work to keep Texas medicinefriendly.
Our senators and representatives listen when their hometown
physicians appear in their offices.
1. Drs. Neda Wick, Joe Saad and Daniel Welder review their schedule before breakfast at TMA.
2. A room full of physicians and medical students awaits an update from Sen. Nathan Johnson’s chief of staff.
3. Among the Dallas contingent are Joe Ventimiglia, MD, and his daughter Sarah, and Drs. Sam Chantilis,
Lisa Swanson (wearing her birthday tiara), Lee Ann Pearse, and Beth Kassanoff.
4. State Rep. Julie Johnson, who decorated her office with artwork from students in her district, meets with Drs. Barbara Durso
and Lisa Swanson.
18 Dallas Medical Journal May 2019
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