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such organization, The Healing Place, was recognized in August
as a top local organization and was awarded the Non Profit Impact
Award at the annual Greater Louisville Inc. Inc.credible Awards.
The award recognizes an organization “that has demonstrated a
significant impact on the community and the well-being of its citizens.” The Healing Place delivers a world-class range of services for
struggling addicts that help individuals and families dealing with
the realities of addiction.
The KMA Annual Meeting was held in Louisville in September,
and at the meeting, GLMS President-elect Bruce A. Scott, MD,
shepherded nine GLMS-backed resolutions through the approval
process. Ranging from substance abuse and addiction treatment to
expert witness qualifications to backing an increase on the Kentucky
state tax on smokeless tobacco, GLMS members once again led the
way in advocating on behalf of patients and the physicians who
serve them.
In addition to seeing GLMS member Fred Williams, MD, installed as President of the KMA, fellow GLMS member Deepak G.
Azad, MD, was installed in September as President of the Indiana
State Medical Association.
On August 18, a new initiative called Surgery on Sunday
Louisville kicked-off with 12 free colonoscopies to uninsured
patients. Based on a highly successful Lexington nonprofit called
Surgery on Sunday, several GLMS physicians – Board Chair Russell
A. Williams, MD, Erica R. Sutton, MD, Whitney F. Jones, MD,
and Julia A. Schroeder, MD, – participated in the inaugural event,
along with approximately 30 volunteers.
After months of discussions, led by Dr. Sutton and hosted by
GLMS, all the pieces finally came together to give uninsured people
in our community access to services many of us take for granted. “By
volunteering a few hours on a Sunday, we can help fill an important
need for care in our community,” Dr. Williams said. Meetings are
underway to organize more of these events.
Established in 1958, the GLMS Foundation, led by Foundation
President, Thomas K. Reichard, MD, is the charitable arm of
GLMS, impacting the community through its three strategic goals:
•
Medical missions, which expands the reach of Louisville-
area physicians locally and across the globe. In January, 2014,
17 volunteers traveled to Managua, Nicaragua for a week of
serving with Hand in Hand Ministries, a Louisville nonprofit
that operates the Pathway to Change, a program for the poor
of Nicaragua. The team provided care to approximately 90
children, their siblings and parents, treating for vaccinations,
allergies, parasites and other conditions.
•
Medical student scholarships, which provide assistance to
local medical students through efforts such as the 3rd Annual
Foundation Golf Outing