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p a g e 2 / s p r i n g 2 0 0 9 / A M A F o u n d a t i o n Q u a r t e r l y William E. Kobler, MD
The AMA Foundation is reminded during this economic crisis how vitally important its donors are. In years past, the AMA foundation has hosted a free event open to all to attend. This year, the Celebration of Giving is being transformed into an exclusive event for AMA Foundation donors only. Academic affiliationRecently retired clinical “As the belt tightens, we are even more inclined to look within, count our blessings and turn the spotlight onto those who unite with the foundation to improve the health of Americans,” says AMA The Donor Celebration will take place on Friday, June 12, 6–7:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, preceding the 2009 Annual Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates. Invitations were sent in early May, providing donors an opportunity to RSVP and non-donors the opportunity to renew their support or make their first gift to join their friends and colleagues at the Donor Celebration.
Guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and special announcements about the AMA Foundation. It is a time to celebrate the impact and reward of giving with friends and Northwestern University Medical School 1974 If you haven’t made a gift to the AMA Foundation or need to renew your support, please do so by June 8.
• Donations may be made online at www.amafoundation.org/go/donate. When you make a gift online, you may RSVP in the “comments” box. • You can also make a gift and RSVP by calling (312) 464-4200. • Mail your RSVP and check payable to the AMA Foundation to arrive by or before June 8 to the following address: AMA Foundation, 515 N. State St., 14th floor, Chicago, IL 60654 Giving to the AMA Foundation is a palpable way that I can give back some of the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me in my calling as a physician. It allows me to help to make a difference in others’ lives as they relate to the delivery and availability of medical care across the country. I have met some incredible people and role models through my participation in the efforts of the Foundation.
With the support of the AMA Foundation, the Fostoria Community Hospital is reaching out to the low income members of their rural northwest Ohio community If I had to choose one initiative, I would choose the Uniting for the Future of Medicine “Most of our patients don’t have $120 for a campaign because of the need for increasing Chantix prescription, which is where the AMA numbers of good physicians in the future, Foundation grant really helps,” says Becky if not the present! Besides, I want someone Bouillon, RN, BSN, CTTS-M, a health educator to be there to take care of me when I need it! for the Fostoria Community Hospital’s Smoke I hope my pledge can help an eager student, on-one smoking cessation counseling combining who may not have the financial means, but has behavioral counseling with drug or nicotine a burning desire to become a physician and replacement therapy. The Smoke Less—Breathe More program includes six or seven in-person meetings and a series of follow-up telephone calls. Becky Bouillon, RN, BSN, CTTS-M, health educator, According to Ms. Bouillon, the national quit Fostoria Community Hospital, counsels a member I sang in the touring choir in college under the rate is 27%, and most smokers make between of the Fostoria community during one of the Smoke direction of one of the world’s premier choral five and seven attempts to quit smoking before Less—Breathe More one-on-one sessions.
conductors, Weston Noble at Luther College. they are successful: “We are proud to be part The program’s follow up calls extend patient I have continuously sung in at least one choir of the continuum. We hope all of our program accountability beyond the face to face meetings since my debut as an 8-year-old boy soprano.
participants will quit smoking forever, but we for an additional couple of months after also know that if they relapse, we have still put them a step closer to quitting for good.” her January lung surgery. The tumor had not recertification boards, hopefully for the last Marianne’s story
spread and she would not need to undergo time, and I scored my second Hole-in One. “I knew I was at risk for lung cancer,” says My most recent accomplishment is surviving Marianne Adkins, who is about to complete The Fostoria smoking cessation program has the transition to an electronic medical record in the Fostoria smoking cessation program. She been awarded a $2,000 grant from the AMA smoked for 30 years and had worked in a variety Foundation’s Fund for Better Health.
of industrial settings where she came in constant “Coaching people toward better health is a vital contact with environmental toxins such as coal part of life today,” says Fund for Better Health donor Dee Loge-Wacker, who is also a member of the AMA Alliance’s AMA Foundation Committee. Wellbutrin and Zyban didn’t help. In fact, the side effects usually made me feel worse than healthy lifestyles in communities across the United States. Supported by the AMA Alliance, this fund The Southern Regional Alliance Development In December 2008, Ms. Adkins learned that provides grants of up to $5,000 for projects that Conference in Huntsville, Ala., raised $1,200 for she had a 2 cm malignant lesion in her lung address the following areas: nutrition and physical several of the AMA Foundation’s scholarship and would have to quit smoking for good. This fitness; alcohol, substance abuse and smoking and public health initiative programs. In keeping time she turned to the Smoke Less—Breathe prevention; and violence prevention. To date, the with the spirit of medicine, they raffled off a More program offered to low income individuals program has awarded nearly $300,000 to more than 14K gold “caduceus” gentleman’s tie tac or through Fostoria Community Hospital.
lady’s lapel pin and five bottles of wine from “I couldn’t have done it without the Please visit www.amafoundation.org/go/ an Alabama Alliance member’s personal wine medication prescribed through the program,” betterhealth for more information or to download cellar. A total of five prizes were drawn with Ms. Adkins comments. “I also like the feeling of an application. Donations needed to support the proceeds benefiting the AMA Foundation’s attachment I get with the program. Fostoria is AMA Foundation’s efforts to increase healthy Scholars Fund, Fund for Better Health and home base to me and helps me not go back lifestyles education and awareness can be made at www.amafoundation.org or call (312) 464-4200.

Source: http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/ama-foundation/fostoria-community-hospital.pdf