Winnebago County Medical Society Alliance (WCMSA)


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The Winnebago County Medical Society Alliance (WCMSA)

The Winnebago County Medical Society Alliance (WCMSA) was formed by a group of physicians' spouses in 1952. Originally called the "Auxiliary," it has evolved into the organization we now know as "the Alliance."

WCMSA is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, with dues-paying membership open to spouses of all WCMS eligible physicians. WCMSA's function is to:

Assist the Winnebago County Medical Society in its program to improve the quality of life through education and services
Oversee the affairs of the Rockford Health Careers Foundation (the "Foundation")
Encourage participation of volunteers in activities that meet health needs
Cultivate friendly relationships and promote mutual understanding among physicians' families

WCMSA is governed by the following elected officers: President, Vice President, President-Elect, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. The President, with approval of the Board of Directors, appoints committee chairs. Board meetings are held monthly, September through May. All members are welcome and are encouraged to attend these meetings.

The WCMSA also oversees two organizations, the Rockford Health Careers Foundation and the Alliance for Community Health, Inc.

Rockford Health Careers Foundation

All members of WCMSA are also members of the Rockford Health Careers Foundation. Originally called the "Rockford Nursing Foundation," the Foundation was formed in 1954 under the guidance of then-President Mercy Bryan. Fundraising events created revenue to establish a perpetual student nurses scholarship fund intended to commemorate nurses who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Rockford Health Careers Foundation, as it is now known, has been expanded to provide scholarships to students in Winnebago County pursuing health related careers. Although nursing students continue to receive scholarships from the foundation, medical students, radiology technology and radiation therapy students benefit as well. To date, the "Foundation" has awarded more than $290,000 and continues to accept applications as it continues Mercy Bryan's vision.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, which consists of the WCMSA Immediate Past-President, several WCMSA members and representatives from banking, industry, law and the Winnebago County Medical Society. The Rockford Health Careers Foundation is not a tax-exempt organization, and donations to the Foundation are not tax deductible.

Alliance For Community Health, Inc.

The Alliance for Community Health, Inc. (ACHI) was created due to the growing number of funding requests to the WCMSA. Over the course of its history, WCMSA has been approached for contributions to many worthwhile causes in Winnebago County. Since the Alliance had contributed to many of these worthy causes (in addition to awarding local students scholarships), the need arose for a consistent way to assess these requests and to determine the amount of money to donate to those soliciting funds. A group of Alliance members (among them CPAs and attorneys) volunteered their talents and innumerable hours of their time to research and do the work necessary to set up a corporation to handle this need. Thus, ACHI was formed and it was granted 501(c)(3) status in 1999!

ACHI is governed by a Board of Directors, which consists of the current President of WCMSA, Immediate Past-President and Treasurer of WCMSA. In addition, there are two or more members of the WCMSA who are appointed by the other board members.

ACHI oversees grant applications from the local community. Each year applications are submitted and evaluated for consideration. By law, ACHI can only award grants to other charitable, not-for-profit organizations. Donations made to ACHI are tax-deductible.

In order for a grant application to be considered, a WSMSA member must endorse the organization and its need. Some past recipients of ACHI grants are; Children's Home and Aid Society, Motherhouse, Rockford Public School District 205, CASA, Rosecrance, Winnebago/Rockford Clean & Beautiful, the Rockford Fire Department and the Sara Ingrassia Dictionary Fund.

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