CSERF Update

Endorsed by the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society and the Sacramento County Bar Association, we invite you to join us at the 2003 Doctors and Lawyers Gala honoring distinguished local philanthropists Balazs "Ernie" Bodai, MD, Jack Diepenbrock, Esq., and Angelo K. Tsakopoulos.

This event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency -Sacramento, 1209 L Street. Cocktails begin at 6:00 pm, Dinner, Program and Live Auction commence at 7:00 pm.

All proceeds from this event go to the SPIRIT and Adopt-a-School Programs of the Community Service, Education and Research Fund. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 per table, and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For more information, please call Angie Sunalp at (916) 452-6428 or the SPIRIT and Adopt-a-School Office at (916) 453-0254.

Why Immunize?
Since February, 2000, the SPIRIT Project has had a partnership with the Shots for Tots Regional Coalition to provide educational presentations about the importance of immunizations. During this time, 11 volunteers made nearly 50 presentations to parents of young children, in addition to home visits that have been made, reaching in excess of 650 people. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, Shots for Tots is unable to continue this program.

Our Why Immunize volunteers have been: Gregory Brott, MD, Russell Hansen, MD, Julie Langston, RN, Charles Maas, MD, Ernest Petrulio, MD, Patricia Samuelson, MD, Rugmini Shah, MD, Amy Smith, RN, Dale Stark, MD, Trey Washburn, MD, and Vivian Worn, MD.

Dr. Andrew Hudnut Wins CMA's Young Physician Leadership Award
On March 21, during the California Medical Association's Annual Meeting in San Francisco, the Young Physician Section awarded its first ever "Leadership Award in Community Service." This award recognizes excellence in community service activities carried out by young physicians and encourages similar efforts by other young physicians.

Richard Pan, MD, the Chair of the CMA YPS, presented Andrew Hudnut, MD with this award in recognition of his volunteer work at the Capital Health Center twice a month for the SPIRIT Project, at Ethel Phillips Elementary school twice a month for Adopt-a-School, and his service on the CSERF Management Committee.

In his letter of support for Dr. Hudnut's nomination, Amerish Bera, MD, Medical Director for Primary Care Services for Sacramento County, as well as SPIRIT Medical Director, said that "Andrew has always been one of our most dedicated and passionate volunteers. Staff and patients alike are charmed by his easy style, high quality of medical care and helpful way. He has taken an active role in being part of the solution during some very trying times in Sacramento health care."

Pat Cullerton, RN, School Nurse at Ethel Phillips Elementary School added that "Dr. Hudnut's gentle manner and expert knowledge make him a wonderful resource for staff and students, as well as a role model of a health professional to be admired."

The bar has certainly been set to a high level for next year's nominees!

Volunteer Recognition Event
The 2003 Volunteer Recognition Event was held at Jazzmen's Art of Pasta on Wednesday, April 30. SPIRIT Medical Director Amerish Bera, MD, welcomed 76 volunteers and guests.

The CSERF Management Committee was represented by Kathleen McKenna, Amerish Bera, MD, Andrew Hudnut, MD, and Paul Phinney, MD. Dr. Bera spoke briefly about the history of SPIRIT and Adopt-a-School, and the importance of the work that the volunteers are doing.

Kathleen McKenna, CSERF Management Committee chair, presented awards recognizing the volunteer work of Sallie Adams, MD, Barbara Arnold, MD, Dennis Chu, MD, Andrew Hudnut, MD, and James Margolis, MD. These five extraordinary physicians find time in their busy schedules to volunteer for both the SPIRIT and Adopt-a-School programs.

kwallach@ssvms.org