TMA Bestows Highest Honor To Houston Family Physician

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 21 May 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Houston family physician Max C. Butler, MD, has spent nearly 50 years treating patients, but he would maintain that it is the patients who have nurtured him. "The most gratifying part of my life has been my long-standing relationship with my patients," said the Texas Medical Association's (TMA's) 2008 Distinguished Service Award winner. "In some families I have cared for five generations," said Dr. Butler, who treated his first patient when Dwight Eisenhower was U.S. president. "There is a closeness that is rewarding to me, 10 times over."

TMA physicians heralded Dr. Butler at TexMed 2008, TMA's annual conference held this year in San Antonio. The Distinguished Service Award is TMA's highest honor. Dr. Butler was nominated for the award by the Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) and selected by the TMA Board of Councilors.

Dr. Butler, who began practicing medicine in Giddings in 1959, is known for dedicating his career to serving his patients one-on-one. However, he also is credited for advancing organized medicine: He served under three governors on what now is called the Texas Medical Board (TMB). "One of the most exciting times in my career was the day my nurse came into my office and calmly stated, 'The governor wants to talk to you,'" he recalls. Texas Gov. Preston Smith notified Dr. Butler he was appointing him to the board, which licenses and oversees physicians. "That started a long relationship with the licensure process that has continued until completion of my last appointment last week," Dr. Butler observed. He has served as TMB president, and served on committees of the Federation of State Medical Boards and the United States Medical Licensure Examination, the test physicians must pass to practice medicine in America.

In nominating him for the award, the board of councilors had high praise for Dr. Butler. "He has provided outstanding leadership to the medical profession and exemplifies the meritorious achievement in medical science, public service, and service to the medical profession recognized by the Distinguished Service Award," described the board's nomination report.

Dr. Butler has been very active in TMA and in other prominent medical societies. He has served as TMA president, as a member of the TMA Board of Trustees, as a member of the TMA Board of Councilors, and as a TMA delegate to the American Medical Association House of Delegates. He also served as president of the Harris County Medical Society, and the Southwest Branch of the HCMS. Dr. Butler also served in leadership roles with the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Harris County Academy of Family Physicians, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, the Houston Academy of Medicine, and the Houston Museum of Medical Science.

Dr. Butler's influence has extended to philanthropy and community involvement as well. He chaired the steering committee for TMA's Legacy of Caring Campaign. Launched in 1990, the campaign established an endowment to help support the public health and science efforts of the TMA Foundation, TMA's philanthropic arm. Even today, the endowment helps the foundation award scholarships to minority medical students, and provides immunizations and bicycle helmets to children. In addition, he helps further student education through his involvement in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he serves as a member of the board of directors and is a lifetime vice president.

Even so, medicine has always inspired him most. "I cannot remember a time when I did not want to be a doctor," he recalls. He credits his success to his parents' encouragement throughout his life. Dr. Butler received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, beginning that fulfillment of a lifelong dream. "The day I got my acceptance to UTMB and the day I graduated are also two of my most exciting memories," he said. Dr. Butler completed his medical internship at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin. He previously received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University in Waco.

TMA's Distinguished Service Award is one of several accolades Dr. Butler has earned. He received UTMB's Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1992, and the Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine Distinguished Associate Award in 1982. In 1990, the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States presented Dr. Butler the John H. Clark Leadership Award.

Despite his honors, Dr. Butler's Distinguished Service Award acceptance speech was largely about others. "It is only through the combined efforts of many that I am able to stand here today," he told the TMA House of Delegates. "They give their time and their knowledge to make this a better place in which to live."

The Lufkin native is married to Barbara Cernan Butler, and has three sons, Bryan Butler, Robert Butler, and John Butler. He survives his previous wife, Tiny Mayfield Butler.

Dr. Butler counts being a grandfather to his 10 grandchildren or an occasional golf game or fishing trip among his various interests, yet medicine is his passion. "Receiving the TMA Distinguished Service Award is certainly the highlight of my career."

Texas Medical Association