Tammy Ream AwardMs. Ream attended Howard College and UT Southwestern Medical School of Allied Health where she graduated in 1992 as a certified Physician Assistant. In 2001, she earned a Master’s degree in P.A. Studies from the University of Nebraska; soon after she joined the faculty of the TTUHSC PA Program.

While part of the PA program Tammy rose to the position of Associate Director. Tammy taught and graduated approximately 240 P. A.’s during her career at Texas Tech.

Tammy Ream was the president-elect of TAPA, when she died in late January 2008 of a pulmonary embolus following orthopedic surgery a short three weeks after her thirty-ninth birthday.

Ms. Ream was honored posthumously March 07, 2008. Here is an excerpt from the press release:

Tammy Ream is recognized for Outstanding Achievement in the Physician Assistant Profession in recognition of her unrelenting service, leadership, mentorship and activism for the PA profession

Ream was a member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) for more than 16 years and served in a variety of roles. Building upon the work of a previous TAPA president, Ream raised the Student Affairs Committee to a level that demonstrated the commitment of TAPA to the future of the physician assistant profession.

One of Tammy’s greatest passions was the Student Medical Challenge Bowl to which she brought a spirit of healthy competition and enthusiasm and student participation at conferences grew under her leadership. She also served as a member of the TAPA board of directors, chair of the judicial affairs committee and was a TAPA representative to the American Academy of Physician Assistants House of Delegates.

As president-elect of TAPA, she was to assume the role of president in July 2008.

Why a stethoscope award?

Gail Madison and Tammy met in school, at UT Southwestern, both from humble beginnings and of modest means. Gail had been an EMT/paramedic and the stethoscope she had used on the ambulance had seen better days and finally broke. Tammy had received a new stethoscope as a gift from her former employer when she was accepted to PA school, but she still had her old one. Tammy and Gail were able to pool their resources and parts and rebuild Gail’s stethoscope. Just one example of Tammy’s ability to give, improvise, adapt, and overcome.

After Tammy died, Gail Madison and Tammy’s family wanted a way to remember her commitment to students and honor a student who also demonstrates Tammy’s resilience. The Tammy Dowdell Ream Charitable Memorial Fund and stethoscope award was created.  Each year the award is given to deserving student that is entering in to their clinical rotations.

Tammy Dowdell Ream Charitable Memorial Fund

The purpose of this fund is to continue the efforts of Tammy Dowdell Ream in her pursuit of excellence in education, professional advancement and the continuation of quality development of Physician Assistants in the state of Texas.  This is made possible via clinical tools (a quality stethoscope) and monetary assistance (an award check in the amount of $250) to a junior student.  The goal of the fund is to continue the passion that was suddenly halted by Tammy’s untimely death.  It is the hope of those administering the fund to encourage compassion in health care, civic responsibility and professional growth in the recipient of the award.  In searching for the award recipient, it was important that the student considered for the award would represent the PA Profession well.  A student’s resilience, integrity, professionalism, empathy and ability to get along well with others are considered in the final decision making process.