January 15, 2010

Dear Alliance Friends: 

Another year has passed and it seems like yesterday I took the leadership of this organization. I believed it is good for the soul to recap what your accomplishments have been at the end of every year, and to re-evaluate if your goals are on the right path before we enter the new calendar year.

One of my goal as President was to increase membership.  I am proud to say we have increased our membership numbers; we are starting this year with 38 regular members, not including the retirees and honoraries.  It may not seem like a huge number, but still, this is one of the objectives that we will be constantly working as long as I am the President of this organization.  I am confident this number is going to increase even more during this New Year.   Good news:  Some of those members are new male members!!  I would like to extend an invitation to all the Hillsborough County Medical Association members’ spouses to join us.

Last year, we completed a review of the by-laws; with an addendum to the by-laws finalized in September. These changes will provide increase accessibility to new members and the younger generation of spouses to become active members of the Alliance.

Mrs. Gerry Gutierrez and other volunteers have been working during the last few months setting tables at Sears in Westshore Mall and Citrus Park Mall with Breast Cancer Awareness Pamphlets and this effort will continue in 2010.

We have been active participants of the Hillsborough County Medical Association activities such as the Charity Golf Tournament in October.

On November, we gathered for our General Meeting in which we had two interesting speakers.  Lauren Tummel, our newest resident’s spouse, spoke to us and her topic was “Financial Advice for Physician’s Families”.  She provided excellent ideas to take advantage of the new tax law changes coming during 2010. Mr. Bill Butler talked to us about the Health Care changes and how we need to be active and outspoken during this era of change.

On December, we gathered for our Holiday Bazaar in which we collected $600.00 for the HCMA Alliance Foundation.  We raffled some items on this activity so we could supplement our operational budget and made a donation of $100.00 on behave of the Alliance to the Toys for Tots Foundation.  This Foundation gives toys for under-privilege children during the Christmas Season.  Mrs. Pam Arain was our volunteer who helps us with the Holiday Sharing cards for the HCMA Foundation and other organizations, in which monies are given to students to follow their dreams to become a force on the healthcare arena.  We are including Holiday Sharing donors’ list on the January/February “The Bulletin” issue of the HCMA magazine in recognition for their kindness.

We have prepared some activities for this year.  Do not forget to check our calendar for 2010 and our newly renovated site with members only access area.  Our next update will be at the end of March.

Thank you and have a Blessed Year 2010.

Blanca Crespo, MPH
President, HCMA Alliance

	FMA/ FMA Alliance Annual Meeting Delegates from Hillsborough County July 24-26, 2009
	Our three delegates to FMA/FMA Alliance Annual meeting in Boca Raton, Florida. Left to Right (Pamela Arain, Blanca Crespo and Nimisha Chheda). Nimisha Chheda was recognized For her contributions in the Screen Out project.
	Alliance Community Outreach Breast Cancer Awareness Tables at Sears Westshore and Citrus Park Mall
	Maria Leal, Gerry Gutierrez, Nimisha Chheda and Blanca Crespo at Sears at the Westshore Plaza where Breast Cancer Self Examination pamphlets can be found thanks to the efforts of the HCMA Alliance.
	Partnership with the Hillsborough County Medical Association
	Our President, Blanca Crespo, with Mura Cousin and Lauren Tummel, Alliance volunteers at the HCMA Annual Charity Golf Tournament on October 22nd, 2009.
	General Meeting, November 4th, 2009 Columbia Restaurant, Ybor City
	Lauren Tummel gave us talk about new tax law changes coming for 2010.	Mr. Bill Butler gave us the Legislation Update.
	Prevention and Educational Program February 5th 2010, HCMA Office Heart Disease Prevention in Women "Go Red for Women"
	Sofia Moya, Gloria Grisales, Alicia Barrazueta.	Maria Leal, 2007 Past President with Alicia Barrazueta, Nimisha Chheda, 2007 Past President.
	Alliance Members and guests.	Dr. Humberto Coto, HCMA President.
	We also congratulate Lauren Tummel, winner of our raffle.	L-R. Blanca Crespo, President with Past Presidents: Maria Leal (2007), Nimisha Chheda (2007), Michel Poklepovic (2001), Anna Crespo (1983), Pam Arain (2008), Gerry Gutierrez (1982).

	Doctors' Day Luau-Hawaiian Party March 27th, One of the most Beautiful Days in March 2010!! Cheval Athletic Club, Lutz, Florida
	Gloria Grisales at the Welcoming Station:  "Aloha".	President Blanca Crespo, at the photo spot.
	Our Band "Solo 2 Orchestra".	Our Appetizers Spot.
	Marina Yoakim, Yvonne Daily and Blanca Crespo.	Dr. Daily, Dr. Yoaukim and Dr. Crespo.
	Dr & Mrs. Craig Stevens.	Dr. & Mrs. Alan Cousin.
	Doctors' Day Dessert.	Our Dancers: Dr. Kelvin Gorrell, Dr.& Mrs. Edwin Melendez and Blanca Crespo.