What is the Capital Medical Society Foundation?

The mission of the Capital Medical Society Foundation is to support the charitable efforts of physicians and others, increase access to healthcare, promote education and serve the community’s health needs through innovative projects that are exemplary, affordable and dignified.

Since 1975, a charitable foundation has operated alongside the Capital Medical Society. The Foundation for Medical Care of the Big Bend Area of Florida was incorporated in 1975 and in 1981, the Foundation officially changed to its current name, the Capital Medical Society Foundation (CMS Foundation). The CMS Foundation directed its efforts toward education, social services and healthcare. The founding board was:

In December 1983, the CMS Foundation purchased the office located at 1204 Miccosukee Road, with the help of Mr. Buddy Strauss and Mr. Block Smith, moving the CMS location from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Renting out one side of the building enabled the CMS Foundation to pay off the mortgage on the building, along with pledges to the CMS Foundation and a loan from Sun Bank. The building is now owned debt-free by the CMS Foundation.

The CMS Foundation's mission statement was drafted in 2001 by a committee comprised of: Brian Sheedy, M.D.; Ken Wasson, M.D.; Chuck Manning, M.D.; Jim Stockwell, M.D.; Bill Kepper, M.D.; and Karen Wendland. The CMS Foundation Board voted to approve the mission statement.

Dr. John Mahoney, CMS Foundation President explains, "Our mission helps to focus and energize our efforts to improve the health and well-being of our community. Our fellow physicians have a long, impressive history of giving their time, treasure and talent. The CMS Foundation's goal is to raise funds to support these charitable endeavors."

Medical School Scholarships

These annual scholarships go to deserving, first or second year students enrolled in Florida State University's College of Medicine. Many of these scholarship recipients are local residents who return to our area to practice medicine after they complete their training. Before the FSU College of Medicine opened, the CMS Foundation gave scholarships to PIMS (Program in Medical Sciences) students at FSU.

The CMS Foundation gives, on average, $30,000 in scholarships every year. In addition, the CMS Foundation awards a graduating medical student our "Access to Care Award" ($1,000). This award is given to a medical student who has devoted leadership to community medical charities.

Charitable Donations to Healthcare Related Groups

Because the CMS Foundation seeks to fund exemplary community healthcare projects that increase access to healthcare, they carefully select and make donations to different local charities each year. The CMS Foundation has given grants to the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, Big Bend Hospice, Big Bend RHIO, Lighthouse of the Big Bend, Refuge House, Tallahassee/Leon County Economic Development Council, Ghazvini Center for Health Care Education, Junior League of Tallahassee, FSU Foundation, and the American Cancer Society.

We Care Network

In 1992, CMS physicians created the We Care Network. Today, more than 300 volunteer physicians provide donated specialty medical care to low-income, uninsured residents of Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties. The We Care Network is made up of all the medical providers in town, from both hospitals, to labs, imaging centers, durable medical equipment to home health. On average, these medical providers donate more than $4 million in specialty medical care to low-income, uninsured patients each year.

In 2008, the staff at the CMS Foundation undertook a campaign to recruit all of the specialists in town to join the We Care Network. To date, only 7 specialists do not volunteer in the We Care Network.

The CMS Foundation writes grants specifically to raise funds for the We Care Network. This financial support pays for the administrative costs of case managers, who effectively manage the flow of patients in and out of the We Care Network. The following organizations have given grants to the CMS Foundation:

• AstraZeneca
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation
• Capital Health Plan
• Community Human Services Partnership
• Florida Dental Health Foundation
• Gadsden County Commission/Gadsden Community Health Council
• Jefferson County Health Department
• Leon County Commission
• Leon County Health Department
• The Charles A. Frueauff Foundation
• The Perkins Charitable Foundation
• The Rotary Club of Tallahassee
• United Way of the Big Bend
• Wakulla County Commission
• Wakulla County Health Department

More Simpler Times

Dr. Charles Williams wrote his well-known books, Simpler Times in 1993, and More Simpler Times in 2008. Dr. Williams has donated proceeds of these book sales to the CMS Foundation, designated for the We Care Network. More Simpler Times can be purchased at the Capital Medical Society office, the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital gift shop, the Capital Regional Medical Center gift shop, Tallahassee Nurseries, My Favorite Things, and Feathered Pony Boutique. To date, Dr. Williams has donated more than $24,000 in proceeds to the CMS Foundation.

Patient Assistance Fund

In 2003, the We Care Network created the Patient Assistance Fund to help purchase medications, medical supplies and transportation for We Care Network patients who have no alternative. We get designated donations to the Patient Assistance Fund by several of our funding sources. On average, the We Care Network spends $20,000 every year from the Patient Assistance Fund.

Support for this program has been provided by:

• AstraZeneca
• Florida Dental Health Foundation
• Leon County Commission

We Care Dental Network

In December 2003, the physicians of the We Care Network partnered with the Leon County Dental Association to create a network of volunteer dentists to donate dental care to low-income, uninsured residents of Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson and Wakulla Counties. Since then, local dentists have recruited more than 45 volunteer dentists. These dentist volunteers donate more than $200,000 in dental care to low-income, uninsured patients each year.

Additionally, the We Care Dental Network, in cooperation with the Leon County Health Department Dental Facility, conducts six Dental Clinic Days each year and provides extractions and fillings for an average of 30 patients in a single afternoon.

Sovereign Immunity

The CMS Foundation offers all volunteers in the We Care Network and We Care Dental Network sovereign immunity through the State of Florida - Department of Health. With a signed Sovereign Immunity contract, the State of Florida becomes solely liable for any injury or damage suffered by a patient who receives treatment under sovereign immunity.

The We Care Network and We Care Dental Network volunteers already have one layer of protection through the Volunteer Protection Act, which protects individuals who render a service on behalf of a not-for-profit organization from liability. Sovereign Immunity offers an additional layer of protection.

In order to be covered by Sovereign Immunity, We Care volunteers must sign a contract from the State of Florida - Department of Health.

Award-Winning Programs

In December 2008, the We Care Network received an “Award of Distinction” from The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. This was a $75,000 cash award. A portion of this award was used to create a customized database for the We Care Network. This allows the case managers to better manage the patient information and produce reports for our funding sources.

• To see a video about the We Care Network, click here
• To read more about the We Care Network, click here

In December 2009, the We Care Dental Network received “Honorable Mention” from The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. This was a $25,000 cash award we are holding in Reserve for anticipated needs.

• To see a video about the We Care Dental Network, click here
• To read more about the We Care Dental Network, click here
• To find out more about The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, click here

Community Foundation of North Florida

In 2007, an endowment fund was established for CMS Foundation at the Community Foundation of North Florida with a deposit of $3,914. This came from proceeds from a Jimmy Buffett benefit concert sponsored by the United Way of the Big Bend.

In 2008, the CMS Foundation Board matched this initial amount dollar for dollar. To date, the CMS Foundation is eligible for grant distribution from interest on this endowment fund, but currently the CMS Foundation reinvests the interest every year.

Endowment Funds

Since 2003, the CMS Foundation created three endowment funds, in order to establish long-term financial stability for its charitable endeavors.

1. The General Endowment Fund
2. The We Care Network Endowment Fund
3. The Scholarship Endowment Fund

To date, we have raised almost $500,000 in endowments. Our major donors to our Endowment Funds include:

• Anonymous donors
• Dr. & Mrs. Dave Stewart
• Dr. & Mrs. Fred Lindsey
• The Charles A. Frueauff Foundation

The Ronald G. Pickett Memorial Fund

This memorial fund is named for the brother of the first executive director of the CMS, Diane Pickett. Sadly, he died at a young age of cancer and the family established a memorial fund in his name. The family donated $25,000 and the CMS Foundation matched their donation. Interest earned on this fund is donated to programs that deal directly with the care and treatment of cancer. Past recipients include Big Bend Hospice and the American Cancer Society Capital Chapter.

How Can You Help?

• Endowment Funds
• Non-cash donations
• Planned giving
• Memorial gifts
• Holiday Auction

If you would like to make a donation to one of the CMS Foundation’s Endowment Funds, simply designate your gift to one of the CMS Foundation’s Endowment Funds on the check that you write us.

The CMS Foundation seeks ways to fund its many fine programs. In addition to cash donations, the CMS Foundation also accepts donations in the form of real estate, securities, art objects, library collection, equipment, furnishings, gift stock donations, endowed gifts and cash.

Planned giving is also an option. Planned giving is broadly defined as that which is provided for legally by a donor during the donor’s lifetime. The principal benefits of a planned gift may not inure the CMS Foundation until some future date when certain conditions have occurred or time has elapsed. Planned giving may also involve the reservation of benefits for the donor or some other individual or individuals. Planned giving is evidenced by a last will and testament, a trust agreement, an insurance policy, or some other legal document.

Memorial gifts are a very dignified and thoughtful way to remember your CMS Foundation. When a loved one passes away, many times families will suggest making a donation to a charitable organization instead of sending flowers. A gift to the Capital Medical Society Foundation supports the charitable efforts of physicians. Memorial gifts to the CMS Foundation are the perfect way to support a physician going through the loss of a cherished friend or family member.

Or, you can make a donation in honor of someone, such as a fellow physician you hold in high esteem or has taken care of you or your family.

Holiday Auction

The Holiday Auction is the CMS Foundation’s annual fundraising event. Held the first Thursday of December, it garners impressive community-wide support with donations from businesses and sponsors. CMS members can support the Holiday Auction by attending, donating an item for auction, or becoming an Individual Sponsor.

The CMS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation, meaning that all contributions made to the CMS Foundation are tax-deductible.

If you are interested in learning more about the CMS Foundation or would like to make a donation, please call 877-9018.

THE CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION, INC. MEETS ALL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED BY THE FLORIDA SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE (1-800-435-7352). REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER: SC-12222. 100% OF ALL DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TO THE CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION.