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The alliance consists
of physicians spouses. These spouses are also nurses, teachers, business
leaders, realtors, Ph.D.s, lawyers, and doctors. We are a diverse group
whose link is to be married into the family of medicine. The alliance exists to help physicians address the various current public health issues and to assure quality health care for our children and grandchildren. The alliance is concerned about the government bureaucracy and the big business influence in the health care field with their denial of care and lack of concern for quality of care. Visit our Current Projects page for more information regarding local initiatives or our links page for additional alliance websites. Public Health Education: The original mission statement for the alliance was that of public health education. Membership still works in partnership with physicians and in coalition with other health groups to address various public health and safety issues. Some recent projects include the following (note many of these were in coalition with other groups):
Legislative: Working with physicians in an attempt to get good public health and safety legislation, the alliance is active in the legislative process. We have established state wide phone trees, planned days at the capital visiting our legislators, and having workshops to train membership in how to participate as individuals in the legislative process. AMA Foundation: The alliance raises funds for medical education and research. An alliance scholarship has been established at both the UL Medical School and the UK Medical School through the AMA Foundation. The AMA Foundation is promoting health literacy in an effort to improve patient care. Medical Heritage: The alliance raises funds and supports the McDowell House, which is one of the state's medical heritage treasures. In addition, various methods are used for preserving some of the state's other medical heritage and history including documentary videos. The AMA Alliance was established as a national organization in 1922. The Kentucky Medical Association Alliance as established in 1923, at the request of physicians, to counter the adverse publicity that was impugning the image of medicine and help protect the physician's integrity amid the invasion of "Medical Charlatans". The role of the alliance was to help with public health education. The alliance is a federated organization with membership on a county, state, and national level. The county alliances are the heart of the organization with their local community projects. The state provides a forum for the counties to share their ideas and projects and the national alliance in turn provides a forum for the states to share ideas. Some projects are done on a state-wide basis with promotion in the counties and some are promoted in both state and ounties by the national organization. The headquarters for the state alliance is in the KMA offices and the headquarters for the national alliance is in Chicago. How Members Benefit Personally The alliance serves as a support group and networking organization for physician spouses. Information and education plus leadership training are available to every alliance member. Alliance members are eligable to attend National Conference for Leadership training in Chicago. Publications from both national and state are sent to every member and most of the counties have their own news letter. It is a great way to stay informed about the issues facing medicine today and the various projects being done by alliances throughout the country. The AMA Alliance also provides discounts at various car rental agencies and some hotels. Members-at-large are member who reside in a county with no organized alliance. As a member-at-large, you are the bridge to carrying out many of the state wide projects. These include our phone tree to contact legislators and dissemination of information about health care issues. If you live near an organized county, you are welcome to attend their meetings. Attending annual meetings is a great way to acquire information and meet other physician spouses across the state. All state and national publications are sent to you to keep you abreast of current issues. There are member-at-large coordinators to help you stay up to date. If you live in an organized county, contact your local alliance. Spouses in unorganized counties should contact the Alliance by calling 502-426-6200 and asking for the Kentucky Medical Association Alliance. Please download our membership application form and mail with your dues if you wish to join. Current Dues: County (varies by county), State $20, National $40. KMA
Alliance
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