What is the Alliance?

The volunteer support organization formed for spouses of physicians. The Alliance is a great way to meet new people, learn about our great community from others who’ve lived here and join in on some great projects that make our community a better place to live.

All spouses of physicians are welcome!

Not on the Alliance mailing list?
Call (850) 478-0706 ECMS office today! or email

Who can become a member of the Alliance?
Alliance membership is open to all spouses of individuals who are eligible for medical staff privileges in Escambia County. We welcome new and returning members to the fellowship of our Escambia County Alliance family. ALLIANCE APPLICATION

We welcome spouses of physicians, podiatrists and oral surgeons. Widows are also eligible for membership. Currently spouses of podiatrists and oral surgeons and widows are limited to membership on a local chapter level ($30 membership fee), but work is underway the Florida State Alliance to extend membership to the State level organization.

Dues

Basic membership is $30 per year for the county Alliance, but we strongly recommend membership in all three levels: the County, State, and National Alliance level, which is only $100 per year. The payment of some Alliance membership dues is handled directly through the physician spouse’s office. We encourage all who are eligible for membership to the Alliance to verify with their spouse’s office if payment has been made. Alternatively you may contact one of the board members to help verify your ongoing membership. Or call the ECMS office at 478-0706 for information and an application. Or email to ECMSinfo@bellsouth.net

New Members

To better assist new physicians and their families; a new member packet is being created. This packet will include useful community information for those moving into the Pensacola area.

Through the renewal and recruitment of new members, the E.C.M.S.A. can build a successful community team, better support our chosen charities, and incorporate new projects throughout our community.

What community projects does the Alliance support?

An ongoing contribution has been to the Pensacola Junior College fund. Our contribution is earmarked to assist students seeking education in the medical field.

We have also been strong supporters of the Gulf Coast Kids House and the Miracle Camp.

The Alliance works with the members of the Medical Society on a National, District, State and local level to identify and lobby for potential legislation that impacts healthcare for everyone in our community.

How often will I be called upon to volunteer for Alliance work?
Of course, we would like for all our volunteer members to be fully involved in every project we undertake, but we know this is an unrealistic goal.

We ask simply that members attend as many meetings as possible and offer help where they can. In the past, the brunt of many projects has fallen on the shoulders of a few. We are constantly looking for any who may be capable of pitching in when and where the need arises.

Your involvement can be as strong as you would like. We will accept your help for an hour to stuff mailing envelopes or to head any of our ongoing projects.

When and where does the Alliance meet on a regular basis?
The Alliance meets on a monthly basis with a lunch meeting during the week. We have found this schedule works best for the largest number of members. Meetings usually occur on a Wednesday.

  • Most meetings begin about Noon and last for about an hour and a half, depending on how quickly we can move through the meeting agenda developed by our President.
  • Meeting locals vary with the availability of meeting rooms.
  • Because of the already hectic schedule most of us have during the short months of summer break, we do not meet in June or July.
  • Children are welcome at the monthly meeting as well. Please plan to attend and if nothing else--enjoy lunch with new and old friends.

 

2010 ECMSA Project

Escambia County has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Florida at 10.5 percent. This well exceeds the infant mortality rate of 6.71 percent in most industrialized nations. In 2008, four babies died from suffocation. Infant mortality decreased from 43 infant deaths to 32 in 2009 through the help of providing Beds for Babies program a Healthy Start Coalition program. With the recent recession and increased loss of adequate housing, we have a greater need than ever. Please see attached statistics on infant mortality. There are 48 infants on the waiting list for a crib. Each of these infants are “at risk” for a poor birth outcome. Our alliance would like to provide these beds in the hopes of decreasing infant mortality in our community. We will be working with the Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. to provide the beds to needy families along with educational material on safe sleep.