June 2008 Spotlight on Pi Delta
Pi Delta chapter appreciates the opportunity to serve as stewards for the health of Flint, Michigan. Along with the Genesee County Medical Society Alliance, 2008 was the second year that Pi Delta co-organized the Healing Hands Run/Walk to benefit the Genessee County Free Medical Clinic (GCFMC). The clinic is a volunteer organization that serves the needs of employed, but uninsured, persons who are at or below the poverty level and do not qualify for health insurance or government programs.
The 13th annual five-kilometer race was held on 17 May 2008. Mott Community College volunteers
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From Left to Right: Kneeling are Angie Hendershot, Chanel 12 WJRT-TV Evening News Anchor and Rod Prahin, morning DJ; WCRZ 108 FM. First row: Sandra Smith, Dr. Rima Kudish (Genesee County Free Medical Clinic Director), Agnes Taylor, Barb Pougnet, Lakshmi Tummala (GCMSA & Healing Hands Volunteer Chairperson), Suzanne Robinson, Kee Kang (GCMSA), Marianne Almeida (GCMSA & Healing Hands Race Co-Chairperson). Second row: Bonnie Hudson (Past-Race Co-Chairperson), Jeanette Rivera (GCMSA & Past Race Co-Chairperson), Emma Eaton, Agnes Taylor, Brenda Buckle, Denise Will and Louise Kashubosky. |
its campus for the event while the University of Michigan – Flint prints registration forms, brochures, and flyers free of charge. Eight Pi Delta chapter nurses serve on the Board of Directors for the race, and ten other members joined the 305 registrants who participated in the fundraiser.
Since the establishment of the clinic in 1991, the race has raised over one million US dollars. All medical service is free for the patients; ninety percent of the patients earn less than US$12,000 per year. The donations have been used to purchase a building to house the clinic and extend operating hours. Previously, the GCFMC operated only on Tuesday evenings, and there was little privacy and long patient lines out the door. Now, the clinic has hours on Tuesday mornings and evenings, and Thursday and Friday mornings. There is also a comfortable waiting room and ten individual rooms for triaging and patient care. Volunteer physicians treat 40 patients a day, and many Pi Delta members also work at the Free Medical Clinic as volunteer RNs. To support this cause, local organizations had the opportunity to become gold, silver, or bronze sponsors by donating US$5000, US$2500, or US$1500, respectively. Even local TV and radio stations participated to extend awareness. This year US$105,000 was raised for GCFMC.
This is an ongoing community service commitment for Pi Delta Chapter. Next year’s focus will be to recruit more members to participate in the race. “Our community is truly blessed to be able to offer a place where everyone can get expert medical care,” says Pi Delta Vice President and Program Chairperson Sandra K. Smith RN. Pi Delta Chapter and the Genessee County Free Medical Clinic rely on the benevolence of the citizens and businesses in Flint for the continuation of this priceless resource. A harmonious community results from caring for all its members.