MAY EDITION, VOLUME 2022, NO. 5
HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY TO THE WE CARE NETWORK! By H. Avon Doll, Jr., M.D., We Care Network Advisory Committee Chair and Donating Provider This year marks the 30th anniversary of the We Care Network, a significant part of the focus and mission of the Capital Medical Society Foundation. This program has coordinated over $120 million in donated specialty medical and dental care services to the uninsured adults in the four counties represented by the Capital Medical Society's membership cohort. From the uncertainty and barriers in getting the program up and running to the current well-tuned operation that we take somewhat for granted, there has been a small army of dedicated professionals, each doing their part to ensure success. Many readers are responsible for this vital program's viability, whether they are referring primary care providers, specialists donating time and expertise, or the support staff in these offices, providing documentation and access for our patients. While We Care-like programs exist in other areas, few have the same support from local hospitals and durable medical equipment vendors. Both of our hospitals have been participants since the program's inception. Our motivation to become physicians was to help others rather than to be venture capitalists. Most specialists are willing to donate some charity care
to the uninsured. The We Care Network provides the framework for coordinating the logistics, including diagnostic support services, to happen while minimizing the effort required by your office. Your care provided is recognized and archived. The We Care Network staff provides case management, screens for eligibility and referral appropriateness, and educates patients navigating the complicated healthcare system. You can be sure that any patient referred to you has no other financial option. The We Care Network Advisory Committee, which I have been privileged to chair for too long, gathers representatives from primary care referral resources, such as the Bond Community Health Center, Neighborhood Medical Center, North Florida Medical Centers, the Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, and hospitals' transition programs. The committee also includes other community leaders committed to improving healthcare access. The committee provides a platform to discuss the needs and concerns of primary care partners as they toil to get their uninsured patients the treatment they need. Solutions are brainstormed and implemented to streamline healthcare access and improve the program. There is also the We Care Network Dental Advisory Committee, chaired by the CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY 2022 MEETINGS CALENDAR June 2, 2022 CMS Family Movie Night Private Viewing of “DC League of Super-Pets” Doors open at 6:00 pm; Trailers start at 6:30 pm CMX Cinemas Fallschase (147 Vermillion Boulevard)
