PAYING IT FORWARD
Stars in Our Foundation Firmament by BERT GUINN , MBA , CAE
The GLMS Foundation re-imagined itself during the pandemic , emerging with a new mission that has made it more active than ever . As the charitable arm of GLMS , this 501 © 3 exists to support the medical society and initiatives that improve the health and wellness of physicians and the community . This new directive was born from a sincere desire for leadership to connect with the charitable interests of a new generation of practicing and in-training physicians .
On the community front , the Foundation partnered with the Norton West Louisville Hospital and other local partners to bring over 200 bags of local farm fresh , organic produce to Louisville ’ s West End . Many recipients expressed deep appreciation for our organizations ’ compassionate concern about the citizens living in this known food desert and mentioned this was the first time they had seen fresh , organic food with high nutritional value in the community in a very long time .
In other big news , the Foundation is officially bringing back the Doctors ’ Ball to our community , better than ever . Recognizing that no other organization in Louisville is better positioned to appropriately bestow annual physician awards across all health systems and independent practices , this was a no brainer . All proceeds from this new iteration of Doctors ’ Ball will go toward bringing health and wellness to disadvantaged communities , with a special focus on areas of the West End . Mark your calendars for Saturday , March 2 , 2024 .
The Foundation also recently pledged $ 100,000 to the new Uniquely Human Exhibit at the Kentucky Science Center . This new exhibit explores how health and humanity shape us while seeking to help teens and young adults recognize how assumptions and perspectives influence how we see others . It encourages us all to engage with each other more empathetically using tools of self-awareness , inclusivity and collaboration .
On the physician wellness side , the Foundation has tremendously increased the overall impact of its medical student scholarship program . This fall , we are providing 10 scholarships at $ 10,000 each to deserving and grateful UofL medical students . Furthermore , seeking to address burnout at all stages of a physician ’ s career , the Foundation has now extended its anonymous and free wellness check-ins to all members including medical students , residents / fellows , practicing and retired members . In this same vein , the Foundation also produced physician wellness videos with CME available 24 / 7 on the Foundation website and recently held a guided physician wellness hike at Iroquois Park .
Of course , the Foundation ’ s previous charitable accomplishments will forever loom large in our community : Supplies Over Seas , The Healing Place , the rescue and restoration of the old medical school building ( now serving the families of patients as the Ronald McDonald House ), and prior medical student scholarships collectively totaling $ 600,000 .
I ’ ve shared all of this to appropriately proclaim , “ All hats off ” to the following incredible physician board members who not only led such wonderful acts in the history of local medicine , but have also tremendously helped our Foundation move forward and connect with the new generation of physicians and their chief charitable concerns . These leaders are the real deal , and truly exemplify the idea of “ paying it forward .” We can ’ t thank them enough for their service as they rotate off of the Foundation Board of Directors .
Bert Guinn , MBA , CAE , is the EVP / CEO of the Greater Louisville Medical Society .
Dr . Jan Yusk has faithfully served on the GLMS Foundation board since 1983 . Undoubtedly , Dr . Yusk deserves 10 barrels of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked for her incredible commitment of over 40 years of service . To this day , Dr . Yusk devotedly attends and serves at the vast majority of our GLMS and Foundation events . In fact , if you caught the local TV news and social media in May , you would have seen Dr . Yusk ( and her husband , Ted Hodge , PhD ) handing out grocery bags full of fresh , organic produce to Louisville residents as part of our Foundation ’ s focus on bringing health and wellness to disadvantaged communities . Clearly , Dr . Yusk doesn ’ t just show up to events , she shows up and immediately gets to work . Dr . Yusk , thank you , you are one-of-a-kind , dearly loved and appreciated by all !
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