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SAN ANTONIO SAN ANTONIO
MEDICINE MEDICINE

The BCMSA Legacy: ance as the Boies family is relocating to Greensboro, NC where Brian and the beautiful friendships I have made in the past 14 years. If you
It is bittersweet for me to reminisce on my time with the Alli-
today without the Alliance. I am extremely indebted to the Alliance
Bringing the “Care” to Healthcare serves as the Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President of aren’t a member of the Bexar County Medical Society Alliance yet, I
Cone Health. For both of us, the Alliance and Bexar County Medi-
hope you decide to join the family of medicine.
cal Society helped us grow into the individuals we are today through
By Lori Boies, PhD, MPH the opportunities afforded to us. I feel that I grew up with the Alli-
ance, as these friends saw me defend my PhD dissertation, get my Lori Boies, PhD, MPH, is the 2023 – 2024 TMAA VP of Fiscal
first real job, and celebrated the birth of our daughters, Helen and Affairs, and the 2017 BCMSA President. She is an Assistant
Julie, by graciously throwing the most beautiful showers for me and Professor of Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics at St. Mary’s
Our Bexar County Medical Society Alliance is one of the oldest in half of graduating medical students are female; many households now offering help whenever I needed it. I would not be the person I am University
the state of Texas (third oldest to be exact). The Alliance — named the have two working spouses (possibly two physicians), and the role of
Auxiliary at the time — first met on October 29, 1917 at the Menger the traditional “housewife” has evolved. While being the spouse of a
Hotel to make surgical dressings for the local Red Cross during World physician grants us many benefits, there are inherent sacrifices. I joined
War I. In May of 1918, during the TMA annual session in San Anto- the Alliance in 2010 when my husband, Brian, and I moved to San
nio, 350 doctors’ wives organized the Alliance to the State Association, Antonio for his residency. The Alliance proved to be a cornerstone in
and Mrs. E. H. Cary was elected the first president. making San Antonio feel like home in those early, demanding years.
Early on, emphasis was placed on serving the community with The friendships I have gained have always been refreshing to me, a sil-
health education programs, promoting friendship among doctors’ ver-lining, as physician families alone understand the rigors of a life in
families, and taking an active interest in legislative matters affecting medicine. This was exemplified in the ways we came together during
medicine on both state and federal levels. Women’s suffrage was still in the stressful COVID years. We all rallied around each other as we dealt
Congress in 1919, but the early Alliance showed insight that women’s with the fear, uncertainty and sometimes even more demands on our
roles were changing forever. spouse’s time. When we lost one of our beloved past-presidents, Rebec- Among the other new officers of the Woman's ENTERTAINMENT CHAIRMEN - Chairmen of These members of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the
In the 1930s, the Alliance assisted with a city-wide survey of pre- ca Christopherson (2015), to COVID, we came together to honor her Auxiliary to the Bexar County Medical Society are, the Women’s Auxiliary to the Bexar County Bexar County Medical Society are assisting with
school children in cooperation with a national program for child through planting a tree in her neighborhood so that all could remem- from left to right above, Mesdames M. A. Childers, Medical Society assisting with the entertainment plans for the air cruise party to be given by the
Jr., publicity secretary; Russell T. Snip, treasurer;
health and protection — a delegate was invited to attend meetings of a ber her bright spirit. Ultimately, we are the family of medicine. Cornelius H. Nau, corresponding secretary, and of visitors. group October 5 at Stinson Field
national movement at the White House conference in February 1931. How do we stay true to the pledge to “foster activities in benevo- Royall N. Calder, fourth vice-president.
Over the following years, the Alliance strengthened and expanded its lent, philanthropic, charitable and patriotic endeavors” a century after
focus on bringing needed healthcare programs on nutrition, safety, our inception? We have many volunteer opportunities organized by
science fairs and health careers to the San Antonio community, while our VP of Civic and Philanthropic activities for our members who
continuing to be active in legislative issues. are interested in serving our community. Historically, we have given
In the 1990s, the Alliance joined the state auxiliaries to focus on away thousands of bicycle helmets to children through the TMA
our youth with “Healthier Youth 2000,” and partnered with schools on Foundation’s “Hard Hats for Little Heads” program to prevent head
a “Drug- Free Graduation.” We addressed the AIDS crisis in San Anto- injuries. We have also participated in immunization drives, addressed
nio, providing supplies for children in crisis, and we reached across issues around alcoholism and period poverty, volunteered at men’s and
our southern border to aid impoverished pueblos outside of Mexico women’s shelters, provided books to children with cleft lips and pal-
City with donated medical supplies and medical care. We continued ates to help bolster self-esteem, partnered with the TMA Foundation
to support the education of nurses with scholarships, raised funds for to enhance literacy by providing books to pediatrician’s offices, and
medical research and student loans, and participated in legislation at countless other initiatives in our 107 years of giving back to our coun- 2017, Donation to Project Brave. L-R: First two 2017, Fall Luncheon with luncheon honoree,
the local, state and federal levels. Organ donation and breast cancer ty through the lens of creating a healthier community. Additionally, individuals, affiliates with Project Brave, BCMSA Lila Cockrell.
awareness were key efforts, with our Breast Cancer Bingo touted an we raise thousands of dollars in scholarships for university students members Cindy Farris, Lori Boies and Jenny
award-winning program. in Bexar County studying Pre-Health Professions, and provide schol- Shepherd.
Through years of dedicated service, we have forged friendships arships to medical students at both UT Health San Antonio Long
through the Book Club, Playgroup, cooking classes, investment semi- School of Medicine and the University of the Incarnate Word School
nars and other supporting social events. Today, Alliance membership of Osteopathic Medicine. Since 1917, the BCMSA has served as a bea-
has grown to better reflect the changing physician family, with male con in the medical community to answer the call with creative solu-
spouses joining the traditionally female Alliance, physicians them- tions when needs arise in our county.
selves joining to support the Alliance, and 2013 saw the election of I was honored to serve as the 2017 BCMSA President during our
our first male Alliance president. Centennial Celebration. The presidents who both served immediately
From its inception, the Alliance was organized “to create fellow- before and after me are legends in their own right, as they have gone on
ship among families of physicians and to foster activities in benevolent, to serve as President of the Texas Medical Association Alliance — Jen-
philanthropic, charitable and patriotic endeavors.” As the Alliance pre- nifer Lewis (2016) and Jenny Shepherd (2018). Jenny is our current
pares to celebrate its 107th anniversary, I feel that this statement still TMAA president and has shined through her work in advocacy, being
fully embodies what we represent. the only two-time winner of the TEXPAC June Bratcher Award for
How do we continue to “create fellowship among families of phy- Political Action, as well as being recognized nationally by the AMA 2023 Past Presidents Luncheon. 2019 Party of Medicine: Lori Boies and Jenny
sicians,” when the definition of the physician family has changed since Alliance. We are lucky to be surrounded by such trailblazers in our own Shepherd.
the founding of the Alliance during World War I? We recognize that county who are generous with their time.

38 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • July 2024 Visit us at www.bcms.org 39