Milestones and Awards in the History of
the SPIRIT Project and Adopt-A-School Program

1989

The members of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society (SSVMS) create Adopt-A-School as a way for members to give back to their community.

1992

SSVMS receives the Outstanding Service Award from Folsom Cordova Unified School District for contributions and participation in the education of the students of the district with Adopt-A-School.

1993

The Community Services Planning Council honors Adopt-A-School for outstanding community service.

The volunteer physician concept begins in Sacramento with a collaborative effort to place orthopedists in county clinics to provide patient consultations with county clinic physicians.

1994

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grants $100,000 for a 12-month collaborative between Mercy Healthcare of Sacramento, Sutter Community Hospitals of Sacramento, UC Davis School of Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Medical group, The Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services and SSVMS to increase and enhance physician response to the medical needs of the targeted population through volunteerism. The collaborators name the project the Sacramento Physicians' Initiative to Reach out, Innovate and Teach (SPIRIT).

1995

SPIRIT receives a three-year implementation grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Reach Out Program.

SPIRIT expands its role as a primary care effort to include specialty physicians who provide free medical care to uninsured patients.

SPIRIT adds outpatient hernia repair services for the uninsured.

1996

SPIRIT receives the Heroes In Healthcare Award from the Health Communications Research Institute, Sacramento, CA.

SPIRIT is one of three national Reach Out projects to be highlighted in To Improve Health and Healthcare 1997, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Anthology.

1997

SPIRIT Medical Director, Glennah Trochet, MD, receives the Heroes In Healthcare Award from the Health Communications Research Institute, Sacramento, CA.

SPIRIT receives a grant from The California Endowment to transition the project office to the SSVMS and integrate the activities of SPIRIT and Adopt-A-School into a common function and office.

The Community Service, Education and Research Fund (CSERF) is established to manage SPIRIT and Adopt-A-School.

1998

SPIRIT surpasses the $1 million mark in donated services.

SPIRIT Medical Director, Glennah Trochet, MD, is made a fellow for the newly created Volunteers in Healthcare.

SSVMS receives the President's Citation for Service to the Public from the President of the American Medical Association.

1999

SPIRIT is a finalist for the People Helping People Business Awards.

SPIRIT receives a grant from The California Endowment to create a strategic fund development plan.

SPIRIT and Adopt-A-School are featured in a 30-minute segment on KQCA-TV 58 on June 30.

2000

SPIRIT and the Shots for Tots Regional Coalition create a community-based speakers bureau called the "Why Immunize?" program to raise awareness about the importance of immunizations for infants and toddlers.

The Kaiser Saturday Saints are finalists for the People Helping People Award for providing free hernia repairs to uninsured patients through SPIRIT.

SPIRIT volunteer John Young, MD is honored as Outstanding County Volunteer (Health and Human Services) for 1999 in a ceremony at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.

SPIRIT receives the JC Penny Golden Rule Award.

The American Society of Association Executives recognizes SPIRIT and Adopt-A-School as innovative projects in community service.

SPIRIT reaches the $2 million mark in donated services.

2001

The Sierra Sacramento Valley Museum of Medical History is opened and becomes an important component of CSERF's educational mission.

Adopt-A-School is a finalist in the LEED Sacramento School to Career Honor Roll awards.

SPIRIT and Adopt-A-School volunteers are recognized by a resolution from the Sacramento City Council for their "continued selfless work towards improving the health and education of individuals in our community."

2002

SPIRIT volunteer, John Young, MD is a finalist for the People Helping People Business Award for Unsung Hero.

SPIRIT is awarded the People Helping People Business Award for Service Club and Association.

Volunteers surpass the 11,000 hours volunteered mark, treating over 12,000 patients. SPIRIT reaches the $3 million mark in donated services.

Volunteers perform their 300th hernia repair surgery for SPIRIT!

Adopt-a-School chosen as a recipient of the Sacramento Bee Book of Dreams holiday giving campaign. New teaching materials donated.

2003

SPIRIT volunteer, Andrew Hudnut, MD is chosen to receive the first ever California Medical Association, Young Physicians Section Leadership Award in Community Service.

Why Immunize? volunteers are recognized by the Shots for Tots Regional Coalition with their Hot Shots Award for their Service to the Goals of the Coalition.

SPIRIT and Adopt-a-School programs are the beneficiaries of the annual Doctors and Lawyers of Sacramento Gala.

Volunteers surpass the 12,000 hours volunteered mark, treating over 13,000 patients. SPIRIT reaches the $3.5 million mark in donated services.

SPIRIT is awarded the Gold Rush award for volunteerism by the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals on National Philanthropy Day.

2004

SPIRIT Management institutes the quarterly "Spirit of SPIRIT" Award to recognize and honor an individual who has gone above and beyond the call in his/her service as a SPIRIT volunteer or in support of a SPIRIT volunteer or service.

CSERF begins publishing its quarterly newsletter, the Wave, in an on-going effort to keep volunteers and interested parties up-to-date about SPIRIT and Adopt-a-School goings on.

2005

SPIRIT Volunteer, Lawrence Bass, MD receives Medical Honor Award for his dedication and service to the community. This award is given annually by the SSVMS Scholarship and Awards Committee at the Annual Installation and Honors Dinner to a physician whose high achievement has allowed a contribution of great significance to the community.

SPIRIT Hernia Repair Program surgeons, John Young, MD, Christian Swanson, MD, Joyce Eaker, MD, Eric London, MD, and David Kissinger, MD, awarded the Medical Board of California Physician Recognition Award for their innovation, vision, and medical services on behalf of the underserved patients in Sacramento County.

SPIRIT is honored with a Resolution from the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for over ten years of service to the uninsured residents of Sacramento County.

SPIRIT volunteers are honored by is Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services as Outstanding Volunteer Organization. SPIRIT volunteer Fred Pratt, MD is honored at Outstanding Individual Volunteer for his years of SPIRIT service, as well as his service to the County's Gifts From the Heart program.

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