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Georgia Healthy Family Alliance Launches Caduceus Diamond Giving Level

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance has launched the Caduceus Diamond giving level.

During the August 2022 Trustee meeting, the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance Board members noted that many members were nearing the end of their original pledge for the Your Giving is Great Medicine capital campaign. The highest level of giving was the Caduceus Level – $10,000 to $24,999 with the ability to give over several years. The Trustees enthusiastically voted to add the Caduceus Diamond level, a giving level ranging between $25,000 to $49,999. 

GHFA Executive Director Fay Fulton asked for it to be noted that she wished to be the first official Caduceus Diamond level giver in memory of her mother, Mrs. Leo B. Fulton.

“My Mom loved her family physician, and the many GAFP members who were also consulted about her medical condition over the last few years, said Fulton. It is an honor and a pleasure to continue my giving to support family medicine and support the many Georgia communities that the Alliance is helping in these urgent times when so many need so much.”

In addition, Dr. Eddie Richardson – the current President of the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance Board of Trustees – also joined the Caduceus Diamond level immediately after it was voted and approved by the Trustees.

When asked why he donated Dr. Richard stated, “I have seen firsthand the marvelous heart and life-touching work that the GHFA Community Health Grant recipients have done. And I am 110% behind furthering the mission!”

The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance is also fortunate to have two of its former board presidents already giving at the Caduceus Diamond level even before it was considered an official level. At this moment, we would like to acknowledge and thank two of GHFA’s most distinguished givers – Dr. Loy “Chip” Cowart and Dr. Patrick “PJ” Lynn. Not only are they both selfless with their treasure, both give their time, talent and connections in order to further the GHFA mission.

“I’ve been a faithful supporter of the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance with my money, time, and energy for several years. Nothing is more rewarding than hearing the stories of family doctors serving their communities through our grant programs. Additionally, the growth and innovation with Tar Wars that we have pressed for has been a resounding success, and I am excited to see how many kids we are reaching with our message,” stated Dr. Lynn.

Dr. Cowart expressed a similar sentiment about donating to the Alliance, “Donating to GHFA is a way to help current citizens in Georgia with the health care needs as well as educating students on healthy lifestyle choices. It is a small gesture that can make a big difference for other people.”

Throughout history, diamonds have symbolized strength, love, health and long life. They are regarded as a sign of distinction and often mark the 75th anniversary.

If you are interested in learning more about the various Alliance giving levels and finding a level that fits with your current lifestyle, then contact Alexis Klima at aklima@gafp.org or 478-714-3760.

Together we a making a difference in Georgia – one patient, student, community, and inspiring donor at a time.

Caduceus Society Spotlight: Dr. Sreevalli Dega and Dr. Ian Munger of Statesboro Urgent Care – GAFP Members Supporting their Community and GHFA

Walking into Statesboro Urgent Care is a delight to the senses. The cool pastel colors, friendly and experienced staff, soothing sounds, and pleasant fragrance seem more spa-like than medical office. It’s obvious in the design and details of the facility that importance was placed on the comfort and care of the patients. Elite care in a comfortable setting.

Offering urgent care and family health care services for adults and children, Statesboro Urgent Care is anchored and owned by two experienced doctors, Dr. Sreevalli Dega and Dr. Ian Munger. The two family physicians met during residency and moved to Georgia in 2013 after their wedding in Iowa.

Statesboro Urgent Care was built during the height of the Covid pandemic and opened in November 2020. Construction during the pandemic posed many problems, but also lead to some interesting innovations. The steadfast and dedicated approach by Dr. Dega and Dr. Munger was the reason the project was finished. Cost of goods, availability of goods, issues with getting permits from public services that were down, these all created backlogs, extra money, extra paperwork that slowed the process.

“We don’t have backing financially from outside sources, hospitals, or providers. This is owned by ourselves and the responsibility was ours alone,” stated Dr. Munger.

They credit the community and their connections to helpful people for assisting them along the way with getting in touch with the right people and the right areas to get things accomplished. 

One design feature that arose from construction during the pandemic was the need for a drive thru Covid testing area that was discreet and protected from inclement weather. This feature was implemented and now serves as a unique, effective, and efficient part of the overall design.

Dr. Dega is Board Certified in Family Medicine with special training in Urgent Care Medicine, DOT physical training, workman’s compensation claims, and drug screening. She has been practicing Urgent Care Medicine full time since 2013.

Born and raised in India, Dr. Dega migrated to the United States in 2007 after completing her medical college and one year of internship. She went on to complete residency at Mercy Medical Center, Uni of Iowa hospitals in Iowa. She has been practicing medicine since 2012. Dr. Dega is on the board for East Georgia Regional Medical Center and also serves her community as a proud Rotary member and volunteers in the community thru Statesboro Service League.

Dr. Ian Munger is a full-time Emergency Medicine physician at East Georgia Regional Medical Center and serves as administrator and part-time physician at Statesboro Urgent Care. From Jacksonville/Haines City, Florida and Newton, Iowa, Dr. Munger is a graduate of the University of Florida and Central College with degrees in Biology and Fire and Emergency Services. His medical degree is from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. Dr. Munger has been an ER physician for 12 years, but trained in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine. His interest in primary care is due to urgent care medicine and community medicine. He is the EMS director for multiple counties in South Georgia.

Tar Wars tobacco and vape prevention education is the program that Dr. Munger and Dr. Dega support through the Georgia Healthy Family Alliance as Caduceus Society members, which is a gift level ranging from $10,000-$25,000. It clearly expresses generosity and strong support from Dr. Dega and Dr. Munger for Tar Wars.

For Dr. Munger, growing up with parents that smoked and witnessing them struggle with quitting, as well as seeing how accessible it was at a young age made him aware of the problems associated with tobacco and gave him insight into understanding how and when to target education to stop the start of the problem. 

“Once that opportunity passes, it is very hard to catch up,” expressed Dr. Munger.

For Dr. Dega, she has seen patients in urgent care and also primary care (FQHC) with active or passive smoking at an early age and the family dynamics around it.

“I do believe prevention is better than cure. Educating these young adults at the right age and at the right time in a structured school environment with lot of resources will help us fight this battle,” stated Dr. Dega.

Dr. Dega and Dr. Munger have even decided to get trained as Tar Wars presenters to help initiate the outreach and implementation of the program into the schools in Statesboro.

When asked who is your favorite TV/movie doctor; Dr. Dega chose House, MD and Dr. Munger chose Doogie Houser, MD.

If you would like information about Tar Wars and ways to help support this tobacco and vape prevention program, please contact Alexis Klima at aklima@gafp.org or 404-321-7445   https://www.georgiahealthyfamilyalliance.org/

The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance Launches Fourth Tar Wars Strike Force Initiative in Middle Georgia

Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA) – the philanthropic arm of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, (GAFP) officially launched the Middle Georgia Tar Wars Strike Force initiative May 3, 2022 in Macon. Local family physician leaders, Dr. Harry Strothers and Dr. Monique Davis-Smith, joined GHFA Board President Dr. Eddie Richardson Jr., a team of family physicians and local community leaders at the kickoff to address the epidemic of youth vaping in 15 Middle Georgia counties.

The goal of the Middle Georgia Strike Force is to raise $250,000 to bring Tar Wars, a youth anti-tobacco, anti-vaping education and awareness program, to approximately 20,000 4th and 5th grade students in Bibb, Houston, Wilkinson, Monroe, Jones, Twiggs, Baldwin, Crawford, Peach, Laurens, Bleckley, Dodge, Washington, Johnson and Treutlen counties over the next three school years.

Tar Wars is an evidence-based, effective, and interactive educational program that has impacted the lives of more than 10 million children worldwide since it’s development by family physicians in 1988. The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance and Georgia Academy of Family Physicians provide all trainings, lesson plans and materials needed at no cost to the schools, presenters and volunteers.

Statewide Tar Wars Manager, Abbey Carr, is outreaching to schools in the Middle Georgia footprint to build awareness and initiate implementation of the Tar Wars tobacco and vaping prevention program offered at no cost to participating schools. Plans are currently underway to implement Tar Wars into all Bibb County public elementary schools with a Fall 2022 target date. Tar Wars presenter training sessions for the PE and/or health teachers are scheduled for July and will impact 4th and 5th graders at 20 elementary schools – approximately 4,000 students. Outreach efforts to school leadership within Middle Georgia will be extensive and ongoing.

GHFA Director of Philanthropy, Alexis Klima, is meeting with potential individual donors, businesses, foundations and organizations for funding support and outreach. Prior to the launch, GHFA had already secured $51,500 in Tar Wars education support in the Middle Georgia region.

Georgia’s statewide average of students in grades 6th – 12th who admit to vaping is around 9%. There’s specific and urgent cause for concern in Middle Georgia where most of the counties within the Tar Wars Strike Force region are near, or greater than the statewide average.

Tar Wars has been acknowledged on the Georgia Department of Education’s website as one of the preferred educational activities for school children and designated as one of the CDC’s “Programs that Work” for tobacco and vaping prevention.

All funds raised for the Middle Georgia Strike Forces go directly back into the communities in which they are designated.  Please click here to make a donation to the capital campaign or to a specific Tar Wars Strike Force, or for more information contact Alexis Klima at aklima@gafp.org.