GENESEE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY ALLIANCE

The Genesee County Medical Society Alliance was formed in 1939 and offers physician spouses the opportunity to help build healthy communities and support the family of medicine. The GCMS Alliance is a peer network with a passionate mission. It is a voluntary organization whose programs touch many lives, including families in need, children and medical students.

There are many reasons to consider joining the Genesee County Medical Society Alliance. First of all, as physicians’ spouses you can support their community projects just as they have always supported yours and achieve some togetherness and fun in your lives at the same time. Several people have continued to work individually to these ends, and if you had a group ready to back them, it would be a little easier and maybe more fun. (Many hands make light work)! Secondly, even though our way of living has changed drastically since “the old days,” we still have the same needs---- to care for our families, feel encouraged that we are doing something of benefit for others, and to have a little fun so-doing!

Most spouses work outside their homes now in addition to the ‘enormous’ task of taking care of a medical family, but so did the greater percentage of some “old timers” at least for part of their lives. We all have times when life is overwhelming, sick or aging parents, children, a new baby or our families just need us more than usual. If you cannot be an active member, you can be an informed one and at least support those that can do these things with your membership dues. When you break it all down, it costs you less than $ 0.25 a day, which is very affordable! I hope you will seize this opportunity to learn from others who share your experience and concerns.

Being a man or a woman is a matter of birth. Being a man or a woman who makes a difference is a matter of choice. As Martin Luther King said, “What are you doing for others?”

Lakshmi Tummala  

Why is Unified Membership Important?

A unified membership is very important since it helps the members connect with all three organizations, namely, American Medical Association Alliance, Michigan State Medical Society Alliance and the county Alliance. Membership dues help support programs to promote and support the medical community in which we live and offer invaluable grassroots program opportunities for states, counties, leaders and members. Programs are designed to address several critical issues affecting the family of medicine, and the child health and safety, such as legislative advocacy, health promotion and fund raising.

Through the Physician-in-Training Host Program, fourth-year medical students are provided housing as they interview for residency, in an effort to help students cut down on interviewing costs, get to know the community surrounding their potential residency program and introduction to the local medical society and Alliance.

The AMA Alliance offers valuable resources and tools to help meet local legislative concerns and prepare programs that build healthy communities. It is committed to fund raising for the foundation and has been successful with its effective grassroots fund raising efforts. Alliances on state and county level organize various fund raisers that contribute nearly  $1,000,000 annually to the foundation.

Through Health Promotion, the AMA Alliance serves as a vital link between families and the medical community by providing education and support. The Alliance's Stop America's Violence Everywhere (SAVE) program targets the 15 million children in first through fourth grade in every public and private school. Since the inception of SAVE in 1995, the Alliance members have developed more than 700 anti-violence programs including mentoring programs, teen hotline cards and mental health seminars, and distributed more than 2 million anti-violence materials. Thousands of activity books on conflict resolution “I Can Handle Bullies" and "Hands Are Not for Hitting"  were distributed by Alliance members in schools across the state.

Unified membership in the Alliance helps personal growth and enrichment through Leadership Development Conferences for county and state leaders at the AMA Alliance twice a year. These conferences are funded by both the AMAA and the MSMSA. They allow opportunity to network with other Alliance members across the country to share ideas and come together on projects. It also facilitates camaraderie and support from other medical families. The AMA Alliance also provides the service of a Speakers Bureau to County and State Alliances to help leaders assess their members' needs, build a strategic direction, plan and implementation strategies to boost and retain members. In addition, the AMAA offers grants to counties that are involved with Youth Alcohol Awareness Program and Health Promotion Policy Program. Grants are also given by the AMA Foundation to free medical clinics that serve the low income, uninsured and under-insured. Recently, Hope Medical Clinic in Ypsilanti and Traverse City Health Clinic were the recipients from Michigan.

 

This year, more than ever, I encourage you to consider an unified membership of the Alliance. It will be the best hundred and some dollars you would spend on supporting your family of medicine! The AMA Alliance has offered to give back $10 to the State Alliance for each new AMA Alliance member signed up. Won't you please take this opportunity to help us earn some dollars for our numerous service oriented projects?  Thank you for your consideration!

 

Lakshmi K. Tummala

Membership Committee Chair

 

 

                                       The Value of One Member

                                                              Ten little members standing in a line,

                                                      One disliked the president; then there were nine.

                                                        Nine ambitious members offered to work late.

                                                       One forgot her promise, then there were eight.

                                                    Eight creative members had ideas good as heaven,

                                                         One lost enthusiasm; then there were seven.

                                                               Seven loyal members got into a fix;

                                                    They quarreled over programs; then there were six.

                                                          Six members remained with spirit and drive.

                                                             One moved away; then there were five.

                                                       Five steadfast members wished there were more.

                                                         One became indifferent; then there were four.

                                                           Four cheerful members who never disagree,

                                                   Till one complained of meetings; then there were three.

                                                            Three eager members, what do they do?

                                                           One got discouraged; then there were two.

                                                        Two lonely members; our rhyme is nearly done.

                                                        One joined the bridge club, then there was one.

                                                         Met with a neighbor, and then there were two.

                                                         Two earnest members each enrolled one more;

                                                       Doubling their number, and then there were four.

                                                           Four determind members just could not wait,

                                                          'Til each won another, then there were eight.

                                                         Eight excited members signed up sixteen more.

                                                                In another six verses, there'll be . . .

                                                                    A THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR!

                                      Are You That Member?