CVS Health Foundation invests in Alliance Medical Ministry

CVS Health Foundation joins as a 2018 funding partner of Alliance Medical Ministry's chronic disease management and wellness programming. 

In partnership with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, CVS Health Foundation has invested $1 million this year in 49 free and charitable clinics across the United State to improve health outcomes for patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

“Diabetes and hypertension are the top two diagnoses found among our patient population," said Nicole Lamoureux, NAFC CEO.  "This year’s funding will allow our Free and Charitable Clinics to focus on improving their patients’ health outcomes for these chronic conditions, and in turn improving the health of communities across the country.”

Thank you, CVS Health Foundation and NAFC for supporting Alliance's efforts to improve the health of our neighbors!

Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Sarah DeWitt, Orthopedics

In August 2017, Alliance welcomed Dr. Sarah DeWitt, an orthopedic surgeon and foot and ankle specialist, as a regular clinic volunteer.

Over the past 15 years, Dr. DeWitt has offered pro bono services to uninsured adults in our community, and now visits AMM monthly, treating AMM patients as well as Open Door Clinic and WakeMed patients. She treats patients diagnosed with diabetes and at-risk for non-healing wounds.

"What a gift Dr. DeWitt is to Alliance!" says Dr. Maggie Burkhead, AMM Medical Director. "A significant percentage of AMM patients are diabetic and are at-risk for non-healing wounds and potential amputations. Dr. DeWitt has already formed strong relationships with the patients she sees.”

Welcome, Dr. DeWitt!

Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Bob Bilbro, Cardiology

Dr. Bob Bilbro has retired -- for a second time -- from cardiology. This time, he retires after 10 years of volunteer service at Alliance Medical Ministry.

During his tenure at AMM, Dr. Bilbro volunteered twice monthly, seeing patients diagnosed with a variety of cardiac conditions, and following those who needed ongoing monitoring of heart disease. Dr. Bilbro would interpret EKGs for AMM providers, and would come to AMM to be with patients while they were having a stress echo performed.

“Dr. Bilbro is a loving, giving, gentle soul, who built strong relationships with our patients," says Kim Conklin, AMM Nurse Manager. "He was always reassuring and attentive, offering the best care to all. We have been incredibly fortunate to have a decade of Dr. Bilbro's time and expertise!"

Thank you for your service, Dr. Bilbro!

March 2018 Wellness Update

Cooking Matters @ Alliance: Session 1 Graduation & Potluck

The winter Cooking Matters @ Alliance class has concluded, with six patients graduating from the six-week course. This was an exciting session of Cooking Matters for Alliance, as we taught the class entirely in Spanish. We were able to dive deeper into nutritional topics, and stay culturally relevant with recipes and discussions around food.  

At the Cooking Matters potluck dinner, 11 patients (including the most recent graduates and Cooking Matters alumni) joined together, bringing their favorite healthy meals.  We love watching this cooking community grow!

Seed to Supper Garden Education

Although the early March snow pushed us back a week, we're off to a great start with this Spring's Seed to Supper class, offered to Alliance patients and community members alike in partnership with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.  Each week, students address different topics, meeting first for a group discussion indoors, and then heading outside for garden work.

Week 1: Where will you put your garden?  How do you prepare the soil?  What is the nutrient make-up of your soil?

Week 2: Let's plan your garden!  Together, we will map out the students' at-home gardens or the boxes they will adopt in the Alliance Community Garden.

We're also adding in more of the "Supper" this year and are thrilled to have North Carolina State University Nutrition student Hailey Bramley providing a cooking demonstration and nutrition lesson each week.  Click below for the recipes!

Veggie Pinwheels

Black-Eyed Pea & Corn Salad

March 2018 Garden Update

It's been a typical North Carolina spring with temperatures all over the map -- 70s one day, snow the next.  We've been protecting our spring vegetables with row cover, and our cabbages, collards, and lettuces are coming right along. Patient-favorite swiss chard was planted early in March.

As always, rely on regular garden volunteers to help our garden grow.  Thank you to from the Raleigh Fellows Program through Church of the Apostles for pulling late winter weeds and prepared beds for Spring and Summer plantings!

Big changes are happening in the Alliance Community Garden! 

Our new walking path was laid this month, an inviting 350 foot pathway that connects the Donald Ross Drive sidewalk to the clinic.  The walkway was made possible by the Triangle Community Foundation, which generously awarded Alliance with an Environmental Conservation grant in 2017!  The walking path frames the Alliance Community Garden, inviting patients, staff, and volunteers into and around the garden.  A special thank you as well to our friends at Four Seasons for helping plan and implement our idea for the walking path.

Celebrate the garden and healthy lifestyles with us:

• Plant and seed vegetables for summer
• Care for our spring vegetables
• Take part in garden planning and garden art projects
• Connect with other communities participating in our garden programs
• Pop-up Zumba and Yoga Classes
• One mile "Walk With a Doc"
• Food Truck @ 11 am

RSVP or inquire to Jesse Crouch, Garden Coordinator:  garden@alliancemedicalministry.org.

Join us for a Garden Workday -- individuals or groups welcomed.  Learn about organic gardening, composting, and the importance of honeybees.  No previous experience required.  Jesse Crouch, Garden Coordinator will provide instructions, tools, and oversight!

Sign up now!  Email Jesse Crouch: garden@alliancemedicalministry.org.

February 2018 Wellness Update

Exercise

Those who Zumba together, party together! 

We love seeing the connections and relationships that form between patients participating in our Wellness Program, including weekly Zumba classes taught by amazing volunteer Paula Grabill.

The Zumba class gathered for a Valentine's Day potluck meal. We're inspired to see the cross-cultural connections these men and women have made, forming a supportive community focused on health!

Cooking Matters @ Alliance

The winter session of Cooking Matters @ Alliance concluded with a meal challenge a la Chopped! 

The class divided into two teams, each given their choice of vegetables and a few staples and challenged to see which group could make the best dish. They jumped in without much discussion and prepared delicious meals!

Congratulations to team Juan, Hector, Maria, and Genoveva, preparing a delicious curry vegetable dish!

Vegetables with Curry Spiced Chickpeas

Serves: ~4  Prep Time: 10 min. Cook Time: 25 min.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (15 oz.) no salt added garbanzo beans
• 1 medium tomato
• 2 sweet peppers (1 green, 1 red)
• 1 container (8 oz.) of mushrooms
• 1 medium onions
  • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp thyme

Directions 

1. Dice all veggies and keep separate
2. Add olive oil, peppers and onions to a large pan and heat over medium heat 5-10 minutes, until tender. Add salt and pepper.
3. Add garbanzo beans and diced tomato to a small sauce pan over medium heat; cook 1-2 minutes until tomatoes soften. Add remaining spiced and minced garlic. Cook another 5 minutes
4. Add diced mushrooms to the peppers and onions and cook another 5 minutes.
5. Serve and enjoy!

February 2018 Garden Update

Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow (six more weeks of winter!), but it's been feeling more and more like spring in the Alliance Community Garden: vibrant cherry blossoms, emerging lettuce seedlings and proud cabbage and collard transplants.

Major spring garden plans are underway, including a hoop house and a new walking path.  Check back with us in March for updates and final reports.

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Save the Date:  2018 Spring Garden Launch

Saturday, February 28th

9:30 am - 12 pm

Celebrate the garden and healthy lifestyles with us:

• Plant and seed vegetables for summer
• Care for our spring vegetables
• Take part in garden planning and garden art projects
• Connect with other communities participating in our garden programs
• Pop-up Zumba and Yoga Classes
• One mile "Walk With a Doc"
• Food Truck @ 11 am

RSVP or inquire to Jesse Crouch, Garden Coordinator:  garden@alliancemedicalministry.org.

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Join us for a Garden Workday -- individuals or groups welcomed.  Learn about organic gardening, composting, and the importance of honeybees.  No previous experience required.  Jesse Crouch, Garden Coordinator will provide instructions, tools, and oversight!

Sign up now!  Email Jesse Crouch: garden@alliancemedicalministry.org.