Duval County Medical Society Alliance (DCMSA)

Advocates for Medical Families since 1929

The Mission of the Duval County Medical Society Alliance is to work in partnership with our local, state and national medical associations to promote health education, to promote cooperation between medical families, to increase awareness of legislative issues affecting medicine, and to support health-related charitable endeavors.

2010 DCMS Alliance Board Members

History of the Duval County Medical Society Alliance

The Duval County Medical Society Alliance, Inc. (Alliance) is a membership organization dedicated to supporting our Medical Society and our community as detailed in our mission. The Auxiliary (as the Alliance was formerly known) was established in 1929 by a group of 42 physicians’ spouses. The first president was Mrs. H. Herman Harris.

Over the years, there have been so many outstanding projects performed by alliance members. Some of the programs established by the Alliance have been carried forward by the public schools, the health department, and local foundations. The statewide Family Component of the Physician’s Resource Network was begun by a local alliance member, Janet Hogshead. We do make a difference!

Today’s Alliance continues to be involved in a variety of different campaigns that show our commitment to the medical profession and our community. Promoting medicine’s image is one of our primary roles. Other programs: include educating fellow medical families and their communities about the practice, and at times, threats to the practice of medicine; raising money for health education; and supporting, funding, and staffing health-related charitable endeavors and health educational programs. We work in partnership with our Medical Society by serving on DCMS committees and other projects. A representative of the Alliance serves ex-officio on the Duval County Medical Society Board of Directors. 

Current DCMS Alliance Bylaws (updated Fall 2009)

Projects and Services

AMA FOUNDATION: The American Medical Association Foundation is a national project in which county and state Alliances throughout the United States participate. We raise funds for this project through a sharing card program in which donors designate the medical school and specific scholarship or research fund to be supported with their contribution. 

DOCTOR’S DAY: Each March 30th, the nation celebrates National Doctor’s Day, which has been designated by a Joint Resolution of the U.S. Congress as a day to show appreciation for our nation’s doctors. This day was chosen as the national recognition day because on March 30, 1842, Dr. Crawford Long was the first physician to use ether anesthesia in surgery. Each year, the Alliance honors Duval County physicians with a special activity raising awareness in the community of the special contributions physicians make to the health and well-being of our citizens. 

FC/PRN (Family Component / Physicians Resource Network): The Florida Medical Foundation is a charitable non-profit foundation operated by the FMA which provides financial assistance to physicians and their families in times of need. Funds for this project are generated through the sales of citrus and other items.

LEGISLATION: Our Alliance keeps abreast of pending legislation affecting the quality of health care and the practice of medicine in our state through communication with the Medical Society, FMA, and FMA Alliance (FMAA). Our grassroots efforts help to defeat negative legislation while promoting positive, fair legislation. Physicians and Alliance members are the vital link in communicating organized medicine’s message to our elected representatives.  Click here for a legislative summary on vital issues that were addressed in the 2008 Florida Legislative Session.

MEDI-BAGS: A statewide project begun in 1990, the Medi-Bag Program provides packages containing personal hygiene products to various homeless and needy groups in our community. The items are donated by our members or by businesses whom we have solicited. Bags provided by the FMAA are filled and delivered by our member volunteers to the We Care Clinics for distribution. The program has been enthusiastically received and brings the medical community together working for the good of those less fortunate. 

S.A.V.E. — Stop America’s Violence Everywhere: This program, launched by the AMA Alliance, is an extension of the AMA’s Campaign Against Family Violence. Its purpose is to prevent violence wherever it exists — in homes, in schools, on the streets, and in the media. Over the past few years, our Alliance has participated in this effort via projects that promote anti-violence attitudes in children through conflict resolution curriculums, and support the work at Hubbard House, a domestic violence / abuse shelter and outreach program.