Introducing the digital newsletter

This Foundation does many exciting things that LDS medical professionals would like to know.  Therefore, with this inaugural issue, we are beginning a regular digital newsletter to keep you informed.  To begin issues will be published once a month eventually becoming a quarterly publication.  The newsletter will only be emailed (except for this first edition which will be mailed to those who have not provided an email address) and then posted at www.collegiumaesculapium.org.

The newsletter will contain news and information about the foundation and its events.  It will also have profiles of membership and the service it provides.  Finally, it will include interesting articles or publications read or submitted by members.    Member news submissions and nominations for spotlight/profiles are encouraged to newsletter@collegiumaesculapium.org

NEXT ISSUE (OCTOBER):

    -“A Missionary perspective from Guatemala”

             By Elder (Dr.) and Sister Limburg

    -      Another membership profile

-          Report on the Fall Conference in Philadelphia

-          Chapter Update

-          Employment Connection

2009 CONFERENCE SURVEY RESULTS

Which venue do you prefer for the ‘09 Fall Conference?

LDS Church History:  64%   Beach Resort:     13%

Golf Resort:                     7%   Family Resort:      2%

Large City:                     10%   Country History:   4%

Next Survey:   Which Church History Location would you prefer for the 2009 Conference?

Respond at www.collegiumaesculapium.org

Events:

Fall Conference:  Philadelphia Pennsylvania  October 7-11

Member Spotlight: Dr. Matthew Sampson

Dr. Matthew Sampson is a 3rd year Family Practice Resident at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He and his wife have been married for 13 years and have three children.  He enjoys working with the underserved people currently at a county hospital and looks for opportunities to help elsewhere.  Recently, he took advantage of the Humanitarian Scholarship offered by Collegium Aesculapium and went on a Medical Mission to Honduras.  The mission he joined is an annual trip made by a group from his residency that collects medications donated by various groups in order to stock a small hospital dedicated to providing medical services to those who otherwise would not be able to afford it.  While there, he was able to set up a clinic and helped attend to over 600 people.   Staying at the hospital, he was also on call while there and able to literally have a hand in saving a man's life that was seriously injured who otherwise would not have been tended to due to the lack of experience and resources.  It was an incredible experience and he would definitely recommend taking the opportunity to serve on a medical mission. From a letter to Collegium after the trip. “We spent the first day visiting an orphanage of about 500 children.  While we were there a child fell and lacerated his forehead and we were able to suture him.  The next day we went on a four-hour brigade to a remote village where they haven’t seen a doctor in over two years.  We set up our clinic in the school and saw over 300 patients . . . I am so grateful that that Collegium is so gracious to support a cause like this and that I was able to be involved.  Your donation directly influenced the lives of the Honduran people.  Small sacrifices on our part translate into improved health and prolonged life for those less fortunate than us.” 

 Send profile nominations to: newsletter@collegiumaesculapium.org    

Donations and Programs

Over the years, Collegium members have been very generous in donating to service and other initiatives.  In addition to the annual membership dues, there are many donation opportunities through Collegium Aesculapium.  They are:

Perpetual Education Fund – designated for use by LDS international medical professional students. 

ACCME - associated costs in acquiring ACCME accreditation allowing Collegium Aesculapium to provide CME credits to event attendees.

Guatemala Children’s Library - Elder and Sister Limburg who are serving in Chiquimula, Guatemala requested help in establishing a children’s public lending library.  

Humanitarian Project Scholarships - for qualifying applicants who seek financial aid to join a Humanitarian project.

Guatemala Medical School - Ship and provide supplies and training. 

Nurses Kits - provided to health services missionaries during training at the MTC to be used in the mission field.

Collegium Foundation Support – To help with Foundation needs.

Donations can be made anytime by going to www.collegiumaesculapium.org and navigating to the “donations” tab.

2008 and 2009

Collegium Aesculapium as a foundation is successful because of the membership.  2008 has been a great year with many events and improvements. This year the organization has:

● given nurses kits to health services missionaries

● held the annual meeting in Salt Lake City

● established a humanitarian scholarship fund for medical students who provide welfare services in developing countries (see Dr. Sampson spotlight)

● consolidated and forwarded more than $15,000 to the Perpetual Education Fund designated for international Medical profession students

● published the Journal of Collegium Aesculapium

● upgraded the website

● added dynamic membership management tools

● initiated an employment connection for members seeking employment or employees

● implemented member feedback surveys

● began publishing this digital newsletter

● established an electronic database of LDS practicing health professionals to be used in disaster needs and humanitarian efforts

● established several new chapters

● conducted medically-oriented classes at BYU Campus Education Week

● conducted a CME session on an Alaskan cruise.

● worked with the Church welfare department to help obtain medications for a rural flooded-mountainous area of Guatemala

● provided other service and education 

●we are also preparing for the fall conference to be held in Philadelphia this October

All success is due to membership donations, dues, participation and service.  Therefore, the larger our group becomes, the more things we can do.

The goal for 2009 is to expand the membership base and to provide more ways for members to communicate and serve.  In order to do this, we are beginning a membership drive.  The incentive is that an existing member will receive at credit equal to 25% of your next membership renewal dues for every new member you introduce to the foundation.

Please let your colleagues, friends, classmates etc. know about Collegium Aesculapium.  When they join, let us know and we will credit $50 to your membership.

Congratulations to Dr. Glen Morrell (Collegium President 2008) who has been elected President- elect of the Utah Medical Association