Update and Tidbits from The President

June, 2009
Dear Fellow Alumni,

I. BayShore SGU Staff
  1. We send our congratulations to Kelly (McGuiness) and Christian Farchione on the arrival of their first baby - Evan Anthony - who made his "debut" on May 11, 2009. A card and baby gift (clothing) were sent on behalf of the SGUSOM AA
  2. We offer our sincere sympathies to Brian Zwarych on the loss of his wife, Susan. A memorial donation was sent by SGUSOM AA to Westchester Exceptional Children's School.
II. Charities
  1. Soothing Touch Clinic (visually impaired massage therapy clinic - Grand Anse campus)

    2. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. MaryJo DiMilia, a much-needed computer and printer were donated/shipped to the STC in Grenada. Our thanks to Mary Jo as well as to Dr. Nilay Shah and Rona McIntyre for their assistance in getting it set up. Additionally, a gift of 2 new scrub suits for each therapist and receptionist were purchased by the SGUSOM AA and hand-delivered by Dr. Shah.
    NEW NEEDS: The STC has requested assistance in purchasing a new massage chair to be placed at Glover's on campus so they can offer massages to the students. They are also in need of new towels (50 large white bath) to replace the ones we gave them 4 years ago. If you are interested in helping out, please contact me.
  2. Ashley: The SGUSOM AA continues to pay for her monthly medication (post liver transplant). This averages around $600/month.
III. VMS (Virtual Medical Staff)

VMS went into "action" in Sept. 2008. Our Vice President, Dr. Joe Feldman, has been working with the University, MOH and government of Grenada to bring this to fruition. Several SGU graduates (Emergency Medicine specialists) have already participated in this program giving lectures to local physicians and rounding with them in the hospital. It is our hope that we can expand to other specialties in the future.
IV. General
  1. There has been no Alumni Coordinating Board meeting since December 2008.
  2. Alumni Weekends: If anyone is interested in hosting an alumni "get-together" for the graduates in their surrounding area, please contact me.
  3. We are looking at the possibility of doing a CME cruise ( 7 day Caribbean with a 1 day stop in Grenada). Anyone interested in helping plan and/or those alumni who would be interested in going, please contact me. Possible dates are spring or fall 2010.
  4. SGUSOM credit cards: Thanks to our grads who continue to use these cards. We do receive a small percentage of income from them. This is helpful as the University stopped their annual gift to the alumni association shortly after your new officers took office. If anyone is interested in applying for/obtaining a SGUSOM card, please contact Dr. Nilay Shah at docnilay@gmail.com
  5. Many of our alumni were opposed to dues. We did a poll and those who responded were in favor of going to a yearly donation/pledge system. We are in the process of defining the best way to collect these monies. Is it better to mail ("slowmail") a donation card for you to fill out or is it preferable to find a method of collection via computer? Please let us know your preference.
Lastly, I have switched to these Updates/Tidbits instead of a "Letter from the President". It has been said that if you cannot say something nice/good, it is better to say nothing. Thus, I will endeavor to keep you informed in this manner. All requests for assistance to your officers have been unanswered. Your officers are 4 volunteer alumni who are working with minimal assistance from anyone, including your alma mater. It is up to each alumnus to help make the association what they would like it to be. All suggestions, ideas and offers for assistance are welcomed.

Sincerely,
Linda Klokow, MD
President, SGUSOM AA
lg91121@bellsouth.net