Health Promotion

Do They Hear What You Say? - View flyer with more information (PDF 214KB)
Did you know that almost half of the population may be at risk for inadequate Health Literacy? Health Literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. The Iowa Medical Society Alliance, in conjunction with the Iowa Medical Society, offers a Health Literacy Educational Program designed to improve communication between health care providers and patients. If you are interested in having this program presented or in being trained to present, please contact .

S.A.V.E.

S.A.V.E. (Stop America's Violence Everywhere) involves physicians' spouses from across the country in efforts to end violence in America's homes, schools, streets and in the media. The cornerstone of the year-round S.A.V.E. program is "SAVE Today" dedicated to raising awareness and developing strategies for non-violent conflict resolutions in communities.

TYKES

Take your kids with you, ensure their safety.
Each year an increasing number of children are left unattended in vehicles with serious and/or life endangering consequences. The inherent dangers include hypothermia, dehydration, hyperthermia, runaway vehicles and abduction. In an effort to educate the public on this danger, "Not Even For a Minute" window decals and flyers are available for distribution.

Med-Cards
The med-card, a small tri-fold medicine identification card, provides a handy place to record all medicines in current use. Use of the card helps prevent medication misuse by acting as a memory aid and is a useful tool in providing an accurate medical history. To purchase call Sandy Nichols 1-800-747-3070.

Spouses Offering Support (S.O.S.) - View Brochure (PDF 120KB)
Every human being encounters problems, stress and even crisis from time to time. Most do their best to deal with life's problems on their own, often through false pride or concern that other people will learn about the obstacles fate has placed in their paths.

As in most life experiences, problems are usually easier to solve when you have the support of someone you trust. It is even more helpful if that "someone" has experience or special knowledge about how to handle that specific kind of problem.

That's what SOS (Spouses Offering Support) is all about!

SOS is a network of concerned physicians' spouses willing to give support, share information and experiences and listen with compassion to other medical spouses facing problems, stress or crisis.

Although the advantages of being a part of a medical family are readily recognized, the demands and pressures are understood only by those who live in one. That's why the SOS Committee of the Iowa Medical Society Alliance was formed - to provide confidential and caring support to any member dealing with problems such as:

  • Impairment
  • Illness or hospitalization
  • Loneliness or isolation
  • Depression
  • Parenting challenges
  • Caring for aging relatives
  • Marital difficulties
  • Death of a loved one
  • Malpractice litigation
  • Handicapped child
  • Stresses during the training years

Physicians' spouses facing challenges like these are encouraged to reach out to members of the SOS Committee, who will provide nonjudgmental assistance, emotional support and help in networking with community resources and referral opportunities when needed. This network of caring and compassionate friends is easily tapped. Just pick up the phone!

For confidential support and understanding in time of stress or crisis, call Young Tess (IMSA Headquarters) at 800-747-3070 for individual phone numbers.

Breast cancer
Jeannine Schulze

Caring for Aging Parents
Bonnie Zittergruen

Death of a child
Barb Hanas

Death of a loved one
Patricia Minchin

Death of a spouse
Barbara Bell

Domestic abuse
Barbara Bell

General/networking
Dorothy Carpenter

General /parenting challenges
Loretta Sieman

Handicapped Child
Cherie Maxson
Barb Hanas

Marital difficulties
Carrie Hall

Parenting Challenges
Jan Bannister
Denise Kuhl
Marilyn Kollmorgen

Reproductive issues/adoption
Michelle Bennett

Resident Spouse/Medical Student Spouse Support
Kathy Lariviere

Stay-At-Home Mom Support
Jeanie Angel

Substance abuse/mental health
Mary Conway (summer)
Mary Conway (winter)

Remember...sharing a burden always lightens the load.
For assistance in forming a "Spouses Offering Support" Committee in your county organization . . .or to join the ranks of these concerned and committed physicians' spouses willing to help other members, call Mary Conway.