WVSMA Establishes Disaster Relief Fund

to Aid Flood Relief Efforts

  

A Message from Paula F. Taylor, MD, President...

  

In the wake of the tragic and devastating floods that hit West Virginia late last week, the West Virginia State Medical Association (WVSMA),  through its West Virginia Medical Foundation (WVMF), has established a special disaster relief fund to collect donations to support the ongoing relief efforts throughout the state. The WVMF is a 501 C(3) not-for-profit charitable foundation under IRS law.

I have asked Coy Flowers, MD, WVSMA Vice President-elect and current president of the Greenbrier Valley Medical Society to spearhead our relief efforts. Dr. Flowers is a practicing OBGYN in Lewisburg, WV, near the areas most devastated by the flooding, and has agreed to work closely with the WVSMA, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and many other agencies in assessing and prioritizing areas of greatest need.  He will be our "boots on the ground" from a physician perspective.   He can be reached by email at coymd1@aol.com or on his cell phone at 304-206-7782. Karen Foy, WVMF Director, will work closely with Dr. Flowers to help coordinate communication, answer questions from donors, process donations and assist in outreach.  Her email is kfoy@wvsma.org, and her office phone is 304-925-0342 x25.

The flooding in central and southeastern West Virginia is historic.  The recovery for thousands of West Virginians and dozens of counties and towns across this state is going to be a long, difficult process that requires a multitude of needs. Many of these needs can be anticipated, such as vaccines, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and cleaning supplies and equipment.  However, there will be just as many needs that are not anticipated or will not be fulfilled by governmental agencies or local organizations in the affected communities.  These can include but are not limited to crisis intervention, mental health services, housing, water, food, clothing and other such services. 

The WVMF Disaster Relief Fund will enable Medical Associations, both local societies and state associations from around the nation, as well as pharmaceutical and medical device corporations and other strategic partners from within and outside the state to donate monies that can be utilized to provide basic medical relief efforts and to fill the gaps unexpectedly discovered in the recovery effort.

  

The Greenbrier Valley Medical Society (GVMS) wishes to appeal to all WVSMA medical societies and every West Virginia Physician - both those who are WVSMA members and those who have yet to join - to donate today to the WVMF Disaster Relief Fund. To kick off this campaign, GVMS has given an initial $10,000 contribution and challenges their colleagues to please dig down deep to help with these crucial efforts.

  

All donations to the WVMF Disaster Relief Fund will be tax deductible, and all donations will be used to support flood relief efforts as approved by the WVMF Board of Directors.  Checks should be made payable to the

                          West Virginia Medical Foundation

                          Attn: Karen Foy

                         4307 MacCorkle Ave., SE

                         Charleston, WV 25304

 

Please write "WVMF Disaster Relief Fund" on your check.

 

If you would like to make a donation by credit card, please call the

WVSMA offices at 304-925-0342
 
Thank you in advance for generosity and compassion!
 
  Paula Taylor, MD
President, WVSMA and WVMF

Coy Flowers, MD, 
Chair, WVMF Disaster Relief Fund