The Goals and Objectives of ATOMA
Melinda Wright
ATOMA President 2007-2008
Melinda Wright of Longview has been installed as president of the Advocates for the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association for 2007-2008. Installation ceremonies took place June 7 at the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio. Presiding over the ATOMA installation was ATOMA Immediate Past President Linda Kazen Garza of Laredo, with national AAOA President Deborah Murphy of Pikesville, Kentucky, as the special guest of honor. ATOMA met in conjunction with the TOMA’s 108th Annual Convention & Scientific Seminar, held June 6-10 in San Antonio. Upon accepting the state presidency, Mrs. Wright outlined her objectives for the coming year, which are geared toward the ultimate goal of enhanced name recognition of osteopathic medicine across Texas. To reach her goal, she will actively pursue an increase in membership to provide more voices for osteopathic medicine, strengthen awareness in local communities where osteopathic physicians practice and are involved in community activities, and urge members to increase their level of volunteerism. She added that she will be encouraging a statewide project called “Santa’s Helper is a D.O.” to further promote volunteerism and to amplify the osteopathic profession’s contributions to community service and health care in general. Mrs. Wright works for Kinsman Hospice Care Inc. in Gilmer, Texas, where she was recently promoted to Assistant Executive Director. She previously spent two years as Director of Community Relations at its sister company, Kinsman Home Health Care Inc., which provides home health services for the residents of Upshur and surrounding counties. Born in Dallas, she graduated from MacArthur High School in Irving and attended Dallas Baptist University. An active member of ATOMA for 15 years, she has served as its president-elect, vice president, fundraising chair and delegate to its House of Delegates, and as president of ATOMA District 5. She is also active in the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association, where she has served on its Membership, Nominating, and Credentialing committees as well as a Texas delegate to the AAOA House of Delegates for the past five years. Mrs. Wright is married to John L. Wright, Jr., D.O. (TCOM ’84), a Gladewater family practice physician who was recently re-elected to the TOMA Board of Trustees. They have resided in Longview for four years, previously living in the Dallas area. They are the parents of four grown children: Sarah and husband Jason, Jared, Karen, and Lauren and husband Brian. They also have two grandsons, Michael and Nicholas.
The following is the speech presented by Mrs. Wright during President’s Night:
I was introduced to osteopathic
medicine 21 years ago, when a close friend of mine introduced me to my husband,
Dr. John Wright. My love for John, and our love for osteopathic medicine are the
reasons I am here tonight. John has been known to jokingly ask me, “What do you
want to be when you grow up?” I’m not sure that President of the Advocates for
the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association was what he had in mind, but I am
honored to accept this position. My passion has always been for my family. As I
look around the room tonight, I see our extended family, our osteopathic family,
and John and I are blessed to be a part of it. The osteopathic family is
unique; it has bonds that hold us together, from medical student, to practicing
D.O., to retired D.O., and family. The relationships we have here will last a
lifetime.
My theme for this year is: “Together, we can make a difference.” Linda
Kazen Garza talked to us last year about the uniqueness we all can bring to the
Advocates for the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association. She made us realize
that we are all an essential piece of the puzzle. As we bring our lives and
talents together, we can accomplish great things. I am so pleased to take
Linda’s theme and extend it further. By combining the talents and unique
characteristics each of us possess, I believe we CAN make a difference in our
organization. As I contemplated the upcoming year, I settled on three goals I
would like to see ATOMA accomplish.
First, together we can make a difference in
increasing our membership. Membership is the lifeblood of this or any
organization. What can ATOMA offer a member? Relationships! As we look to
recruit new members, I ask you to remember the important roles ATOMA has played
in your life. Remember the lasting friendships that were forged as you first got
involved, and how this organization helped you or your spouse as you struggled
to find your way in osteopathic medicine. We are only as effective as our
membership and those who volunteer their time and talents. I challenge each one
of you to find someone to bring along as a new member.
Second, together we can
make a difference in increasing the awareness of osteopathic medicine in our
local communities. Our osteopathic physicians are involved in community
activities on a daily basis. It is my goal that we make others more aware of the
good that they accomplish. Dr. McCarty, I personally pledge to you the support
of the Advocates in projects that the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association has
for this year. Our son asked me if the Advocates were like a “fan club” for
TOMA. I would rather think of our organization as a “support group” for the
Texas Osteopathic Medical Association. We DO support TOMA and its members.
Lastly, together we can make a difference by
increasing our volunteerism.
Community service is such an important part of who we are. I would like to see
ATOMA members rally together for a statewide project. As I travel the state this
coming year, I will encourage participation from each district. The goal is to
get the osteopathic name recognized all across Texas. After all, we are the
Advocates for the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association! At my installation on
Friday, I expressed to the ATOMA membership that I hoped these will be our
goals, not just my goals. Together we can make a difference! None of this is
possible unless we work as a team. Success comes from a collaborative effort.
From stay-at-home moms, to young adults just starting their professional
careers, to corporate executives, when we come together we can learn from each
other. When we support each other, we can accomplish more. Each member brings a
unique talent to ATOMA. Please join with me this year so that the Advocates for
the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association will shine as a bright star supporting
osteopathic medicine in the great state of Texas.
Together we can make a difference!
