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For
further information, or to become involved in one of these Healthy
Communities projects, please contact the
Webmaster
"Please refer to
the Committees page for a listing of Chairmen"
Faux
Paw - Internet Safety
Introducing Faux Paw the Techno Cat. Taking a Byte out of
Internet Crime! This program has been endorsed by just about everyone
and anyone interested in providing a safe environment for children and
their families to navigate the web. The American Medical Association &
the AMA Alliance are members of the coalition. The website, www.
ikeepsafe.org, lists many partners responsible for bringing this program
to life. This is a very versatile program that can be instituted in a
variety of ways to suit all audiences.
S.A.V.E. - Stop America's Violence Everywhere
Over the years we have supported Harbor House and the YMCA shelters
through fundraising efforts. We have collect needed items for the
shelters at the monthly general meetings. They are usually in need of
diapers (size 4 and up), paper towels, kitchen size trash bags,
toiletries and hair accessories. This year our efforts our going toward
the support of two organizations, the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick
County (known as CAC), and the Kansas Children’s Service League. Both
organizations work in the area of prevention, assessment, and treatment
of child abuse and trauma.
No
Bullies - No Victims
The "No Bullies-No Victims" program is an interactive educational
program for school children, educators and parents. The program has
been in Kansas classrooms for five years reaching thousands of children
and adults. Last year over 500 Wichita children and teachers received
this training yielding rave reviews for the program. It is not only
designed for classroom presentations. Alliance members can share the
information with community or church groups to teach adults about the
bullying epidemic in our society.
Environmental Concerns
This committee has been involved in a variety of environmental and
health issues. The focus of the committee this year will be on
continuing to “stream clean keeping the banks and water debris-free on a
section of Gypsum Creek, near Towne East in Wichita. We are looking for
both Alliance members and friends to join us, as well as youth groups
that may be interested in an environmental service project. We generally
meet 3 or 4 times each year to complete the cleanup work.
Childhood Obesity
This is a group of individuals dedicated
to improving the lifestyles and health of school children, especially
those that are overweight. It hopes to not only aide identified schools
in improving children’s health, but to also guide such schools to obtain
funding to support such endeavors. Endeavors considered are educational
materials, recreational exercise/activity programs, lunch programs,
presentations at health fairs, and input from consultants from schools
that have succeeded or excelled in altering their curriculum to more
positive outcomes. Outcomes have included weight control, improved food
and nutrition knowledge, and, perhaps most outstanding, improved
grades. Some resources are the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
American Academy of Endocrinologists, and American Academy of Family
Practice Physicians. Learn more: Obesity
in Children, By – Diana W. Guthrie, PhD, ARNP (Alliance
member)
Legislative Committee
The primary purpose of this committee is
to inform the
"medical family" of current
and pending legislations affecting
our physicians' offices and their practices and suggesting possible
political activity. The other purpose of the committee is to enable
members by pointing to methods of contacting
and communicating effectively
with legislators who
are involved in health care issues at
the state and federal levels.
AMA Foundation
The Foundation was established in 1950 and is the
philanthropic arm of the American Medical Association. Gifts to AMA
Foundation are used to provide opportunities to medical professionals,
health care organizations and the public to invest in the health of
America. Once again our Alliance has chosen to sponsor the Holiday
Sharing Card to raise funds for the AMA Foundation. The card is a
holiday greeting card that will be mailed to every physician in Sedgwick
County listing the names of the contributors. It is a warm way to share
season's greetings with friends and colleagues while supporting a
worthwhile cause. Through this contribution, one can choose to support
AMA Foundation Scholar's Fund, or the Fund for Better Health or the
Development Fund.
Meals on Wheels
Since the late 1970’s, the MSSC Alliance has provided volunteer drivers
for the Meals on Wheels program of Senior Services, Inc. Each week
throughout the year, Alliance volunteers deliver hot, nutritious meals
to elderly and disabled persons in our community, enabling them to
remain in their own homes. (Last year our committee members delivered
approximately 6500-7000 meals.) Volunteers can deliver meals each week,
once or twice a month, or as an occasional substitute, and can choose
which day or days of the month they prefer. Since Alliance volunteers
share delivery routes, it is possible for them to trade delivery dates
in case of travel or time conflicts. Meals are picked up from 10 to 11
a.m. at Senior Services, Inc., 200 S. Walnut (just west of downtown
Wichita), and insulated containers are provided. Those who help with
this important community program are rewarded by the satisfaction they
gain from helping others.
The Medical Service Bureau (MSB)
The MSB is a local, non-profit agency
supported by United Way, Sedgwick County Department on Aging, Medical
Society of Sedgwick County, MSSC Alliance, grants, and donations. The
agency works very hard at not duplicating services within the
community. To that end, Medical Service Bureau helps adults and
children to obtain needed prescription medication (both emergency and
long-term for chronic illnesses), diabetic supplies, referrals for
low-cost eye exams, and prescription eyeglasses. The mission of the
organization has evolved as the needs of the uninsured and underinsured
of Sedgwick County have changed, but the organization still strives to
help people to help themselves.
Project Access
MSSC Project Access is a community partnership to improve
access to health care for low-income, uninsured residents of Sedgwick
County. They also coordinate donated medical and dental care provided by
physicians, dentists, hospital, pharmacies and others. It is designed to
complement and enhance the work of existing low-income clinics. The
Alliance can help by donating toys and books for the "Toy Box" for young
children.
MSSC Medical Careers Loan Fund
The MSSC Medical Careers Loan Fund was established by the Medical
Society and
the Medical Society of Sedgwick County Alliance in 1960 to assist
qualified students from Sedgwick County who have been accepted by an
accredited medical, osteopathic or allied health related school for
educational training in the fields of medicine, nursing, medical
technology, x-ray technology, inhalation therapy or other recognized
allied health fields. Loans are granted for tuition, books, fees and
related expenses with these monies paid directly to the registrar of the
involved school. The amount to be loaned annually is up to
$6000.00. Monies for other expenses may be loaned if approved by the
fund's committee.

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