Durham-Orange Medical Society News:

Haiti Earthquake Relief

New data are emerging by the hour as the rescue and recovery effort continues in earthquake-stricken Haiti. As officials and organizations assess the situation, relief efforts are expected to become better organized and also more information will be available about specific needs, including medical assistance.

Some North Carolina-based programs are part of the relief effort to assist victims of the devastating earthquake that shook the island nation on Tuesday. Durham-based Family Health Ministries (FHM) is posting information and updates on its website, www.familyhm.org. FHM has been serving the people of Haiti for ten years and operates two medical clinics, one school and an orphanage in three communities. The program was founded by David K. Walmer, MD, PhD, chief of reproductive endocrinology at Duke University Medical Center.

Additional information about providing assistance is available from:

• American Red Cross, http://www.redcross.org
• Partners in Health, http://pih.org/home.html, which has a link for donations

Health Volunteers Overseas recommends:

• Interaction, http://www.interaction.org/
• Global Impact’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, http://www.charity.org/

Photos courtesy of UNDP;http://www.flickr.com/photos/37913760@N03/ / CC BY 2.0

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Jerry Nance Community Service Award Winners Named

At its December 9, 2009 meeting, the Durham-Orange County Medical Society presented Community Service Awards to the following individuals:

Nancye Bryan – Non-physician recipient
Lisa L. White, PhD – Non-physician recipient
JoAnn Garofalo, RN, CPSN - Non-physician recipient
Robert Buchanan, MD, - Physician recipient
David K. Walmer, MD, PhD - Physician recipient

More details...

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DOCMS Helps Launch "Project Access Durham County"

In December 2006 several community groups convened area stakeholders in an effort to commit to designing and implementing a local program to expand healthcare to Durham’s low-income uninsured population. One of the results of this process is “Project Access of Durham County.” This program that provides specialty care to uninsured Durham residents living under 200% of the federal poverty level.

• Learn more about the history and mission of Project Access of Durham County
• Frequently Asked Questions about Project Access of Durham County
• Invitation to join Project Access
• Physicians: Participate in Project Access. Download the physician commitment form (Word file).

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Bradford Walters, MD, PhD, MBA, Assumes the Presidency of the DOCMS

Immediate Past President of the DOCMS Dr. Howard Eisenson (left) is presented with a plaque for his service by incoming president, Dr. Brad Walters.

View the DOCMS Board of Directors list for 2010.