Ellie Paladine
FMAA President
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – FALL 2023
The 2023 Florida Medical Association Alliance and Florida Medical Alliance Annual Meetings were held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Lakewood Ranch and Country Club. Twenty FMAA members attended, eighteen in-person and two via Zoom. In addition, we were honored to welcome Racheal Kunesh, President, American Medical Association Alliance, Ron Jaggers, AMAA Membership Chair and many of our own FMAA past presidents. Many thanks to Angela Abrams, Annual Meeting Committee Chair and President of the Sarasota County Medical Society Alliance and her team from the Sarasota Alliance for hosting the event, from venue arrangements to food, flowers, cookies, and treat bags for attendees.
The business of the meeting included the adoption of revised bylaws for the FMAA and the FMAF and election of 2023-2024 Officers, Directors and members of the Finance Committee and the Leadership Development Committee.
Robyn Faucy, CEO and co-owner of Results 1st treated us to a TEDx talk providing us with valuable advice on how we can build and use our social capital to enhance our relationships and network with others, both personally and professionally.
Racheal Kunesh, provided an update on the AMAA, direction for the future, and how we can work together within the family of medicine to educate and advocate for healthier communities.
Award certificates were presented for the best county Alliance projects:
1st Place for Membership Development – Sarasota County Medical Society Alliance
1st Place for Communications – Capital Medical Society Alliance
Honorable Mention for Communications = Sarasota County Medical Society Alliance
1st Place for County Fundraiser – Sarasota County Medical Society Alliance
Congratulations go to Codie Bryant, FMAA member and past president of the Capital Medical Society Alliance on receiving the Peggy Wilcox Award. This award is a recognition for an FMAA member who has provided outstanding service to her community. Congratulations, Codie!
We had some fun and gained donations for the FMAF with an online auction, held several days prior to the annual meeting, and a raffle drawing conducted at the meeting. A total of $1800 was raised which will fund grants from the FMAF to health-related projects and nonprofit organizations in Florida. Thanks to all who donated items, placed bids at the auction, and purchased raffle tickets. Congrats to the winners!
The 2023 Annual Meeting closed with a delicious lunch, many photos, and a toast to congratulate the new Board of Directors.
NOW ACCEPTING 2024 DUES PAYMENTS! Meet the President-elect: Ginger Allen Ginger Allen has been a part of the Alliance at all levels, National, State, and County since 2015. Ginger served on the board in Las Vegas, NV as 1st VP of Membership and Co-President in 2019-2020. After relocating back to South Florida in 2022 she joined the FMAA and is now the President-Elect for 2023-2024, where her focus will be on Membership growth. Ginger also serves on the Communications Committee for our National Organization the American Medical Association Alliance. Ginger is a seasoned marketing professional and CEO of Your Medical Liaison. With 25+ years of experience, she leads a team providing exceptional marketing representation to help physicians grow their practices. Ginger's expertise extends to business development and consulting and is a co-author of Everyday Woman's Guide To Doing What You Love and Host of The Ginger Show. Ginger's spouse is a Radiologist and in their free time, they enjoy the beach, traveling, and taking their 2 shih-tzus to the dog park. HEALTH PROJECTS - Denise Allen, Chair In recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month, the Health Projects Committee hosted a Virtual Happy Hour on May 24, 2023. Thirty FMAA members and guests attended this interactive event free of charge. Guided by a professional mixologist, we learned how to craft two seasonal cocktails with a healthy twist. FMAA members were encouraged to call members of Congress to voice their support for Senate Bill 5062, Protect Our Physicians Act, a bipartisan bill that would create access to critical mental health programs for physicians. The primary purpose would be for suicide prevention, improving mental health plus training physicians in strategies to promote their own mental health needs. Membership - Kathy Johns & Rochelle Marcus, Co-Chairs The South Florida May Hat Luncheon, hosted by FMAA member Ginger Allen, was held in Ft. Lauderdale on May 10, 2023. Kathy Molinet Drum, past FMAA President, 1998-1999, was honored for 25 years of service with the FMAA and in her community. The Membership Committee instituted a Gift of Membership program. You can gift membership in the FMAA to a friend or new physician spouse. Leadership Development Committee - Anne Grenitz, Chair The LDC instituted a new “Spotlight” publication to highlight members in various leadership positions. They discussed how they became Alliance members, the value of their membership and why they remain members. Elaine Wells Hale The FMAA mourns the loss of a remarkable and talented member. Elaine was President of the FMAA 2007-2008 and served in numerous capacities including the Board of Directors, Secretary, Florida Political Action Committee and Chair of the Annual Meeting Committee. She was also an active member and held leadership positions with the Orange County Medical Society Alliance, the Southern Medical Association Alliance, the American Medical Association Alliance, as well as several community organizations. At the 2022 FMAA Annual Meeting, Elaine was presented with an award for exemplary service, dedication and commitment to the Florida Medical Association Alliance. FLORIDA MEDICAL ALLIANCE FOUNDATION In addition to the grants of $4,000 awarded in the Fall of 2022, the Board of Directors of the FMAF awarded two additional grants this Spring.
The FMAF Board of Directors approved a revision of the FMAF Financial Policies and Procedures presented by the Governing Documents Committee. An update of the FMAF Bylaws will be presented for action by members at the 2023 FMAF Annual Meeting. MEMBER BENEFIT FMAA members and County Alliances are eligible to submit grant requests for health-related projects or organizations in their community and/or throughout Florida. Click here for Community Organizations Application Click here for County Projects Application Click here for Disaster Relief Application Click here for Ariel Goldman Memorial Fund Application | COUNTY ALLIANCE NEWS – send your news and photos to info@myfmaa.org CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY ALLIANCE The CMSA has filled its calendar with a number of service projects and social events.
COLLIER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY ALLIANCE The CCMSA is an active group who work together to engage their members in fun and worthwhile projects.
SARASOTA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY ALLIANCE Members of the SCMSA continue to support local health-related projects and enjoy each other’s company along the way.
St. Johns County Medical Alliance The SJCMA is a small group that continues to support physician spouses and promote health projects in their county. In partnership with the St. John’s County Medical Society, the Alliance awarded four scholarships to students pursuing education in medical fields and continued financial support to three others. Governing Documents Committee - Diane Andrews, Chair A new document for Job Descriptions for Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs was approved by the Board of Directors. The FMAA Financial Policies and Procedures were approved as amended. The GDC will present a new bylaws document to members for action at the 2023 Annual Meeting. PROFESSIONALS Resource Network Impaired Practitioner Program of Florida The Professionals Resource Network, Inc. (PRN) is a nationally recognized, legislatively enacted private non-profit 501(c)3 organization, that is widely cited as one of the premier programs for impaired healthcare professionals in the United States. The Florida Medical Alliance Foundation proudly continues decades-long support of PRN through donations and board representation.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435- 7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION#: CH55918 |
Florida Medical Association Alliance Mission Statement: The Florida Medical Association Alliance is a resource and network supporting physician families in Florida and the communities they serve through advocacy and education. Vision Statement: The Florida Medical Association Alliance will be the lead organization in the State of Florida that advocates for the health and well-being of physicians, medical families, and communities. | JOIN THE ALLIANCEStay informed about our news, events, and articles. Subscribe to our A-Mail newsletter by becoming a member. Your dues payment allows the FMA Alliance to:
| Florida Medical Alliance Foundation Mission Statement: The Florida Medical Alliance Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that works to advance medicine and public health by providing philanthropic support for health- related initiatives throughout the State. |