TCMS HISTORICAL TIMELINE

Founded in  1853, the Travis County Medical Society has continued to serve the community and its physician members. Here are some key highlights.
1951: TCMS founded We Are Blood, the exclusive non-profit provider of therapeutic blood components and services. Today We Are Blood serves health care facilities all over Central Texas.
1955: The Society created a physician answering service that today operates as TAS United Medical Exchange with numerous call centers and industries served.






1963: TCMS played a major role in the distribution of the polio vaccine in Travis County.


1967: TCMS distributes the measles vaccine to 25,000 Travis County children.
1971: The Society established a non-profit foundation that operated GME programs until 1998 when the sponsorship was transferred to Seton. The programs are currently run by Dell Medical School.





1990: TCMS launches the Retired Physicians’ Organization (RPO). This group meets for meals, socials, and topical programs.
2002: Travis County Medical Foundation launched Project Access, a coordinated system of volunteer physician care, hospital care, medications assistance and diagnostic services for low-income, uninsured residents of Travis County.
2002: TCMS partners with Austin School District to provide athletic physicals to underprivileged students allowing them to participate in school activities such as cheer, band and sports. This program continues to this day.
2003: Tort Reform Liability Protections passed in Texas largely due to aggressive TMA and TCMS advocacy on behalf of physicians. When the law took effect in 2003, patient damages and suffering are now limited to $250K in most malpractice cases.




2003: First Tuesdays is launched by the Texas Medical Alliance, organizing “white coat invasions” of the Texas Capitol during legislative years. Participants meet with legislators to emphasize medicine’s position on specific bills—TCMS members actively take part each session.




2017: TCMS launches the Physician Wellness Program (PWP), offering physicians and their partners anonymous, free sessions with vetted psychologists to combat rising burn-out and suicide rates. The program also includes small groups such as yoga, music, faith and more to aid in fighting physician stress.





2020: During the COVID pandemic, physicians experienced an unprecedented shortage of PPE. Through donation drives, fundraisers and working with the state of Texas, TCMS was able to distribute 4 million masks as well as gloves, gowns, sanitizer and more to the physicians of Central Texas.




2022: TCMS forms a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to foster education, awareness, and actionable information for members interested in ensuring health equity for their patients and incorporating DEI in the health care workforce.