Mega Doctor News
Are you – or do you know – an outstanding science teacher? The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is seeking entrants for the 2026 Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching competition.
The Jan. 4 entry deadline is quickly approaching.
The awards honor exceptional Texas elementary, middle, and high school science teachers who share their energy and enthusiasm to cultivate student interest in science – and motivate some to become physicians one day.
“Many physicians chose the profession of healing because they were first inspired in grade school by an outstanding science teacher,” said TMA President-Elect Brad Holland, MD. “TMA physicians want to honor teachers’ dedication and inspiration by recognizing their value in molding future doctors.” Dr. Holland chairs TMA’s Educational Scholarship and Loans Committee, which oversees the awards.
Texas science teachers may vie to win one of several categories: a grand prize, distinguished awards, or a rookie award. Each carries a cash prize – up to $20,000 – and resource grant for the educator’s school.
Any Texas full-time public or private school science teacher with at least two years’ completed classroom experience is eligible to enter or be nominated, provided they will return to a Texas classroom during the 2026-27 school year.
Award namesakes Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Sarah Butler of Austin fund the TMA awards because of their belief in the value of public education. They established an endowment at the TMA Foundation, TMA’s philanthropic arm, in 1998 to support and expand the program.
A TMA Foundation grant funds the annual awards through the endowment and gifts from other physicians and their families.
The 2026 awards are open for nominations by any member of the public through Jan. 4. The TMA Foundation also accepts tax-deductible donations to support the awards. For more information, visit TMA’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards page.
TMA urges interested individuals to act quickly.
“If someone is nominating a teacher other than themselves, please allow ample time for that teacher to complete the application before the deadline,” Dr. Holland advised.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 59,000 physician and medical student members. It is in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans. The TMA Foundation raises funds to support the population health, science, and quality-of-care priority initiatives of TMA and the Family of Medicine.
