Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • September 21, 2011 Area In an effort to address the growing problem of the uninsured and to recognize physician volunteerism, the American Medical Association Foundation has awarded a $10,000 Healthy Communities/Healthy America grant to the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative. BVMI is one of only eight free healthcare centers in the nation to have received a Healthy Communities/Healthy America grant. AMA Foundation awards $10,000 grant to BVMI The BVMI grant project will focus on a comprehensive approach to managing diabetes, including initial counseling, follow up visits, and group sessions that include cooking demonstrations, shopping tips, and a support group. Many services will be provided in both English and Spanish. AMA Foundation funding will support a certified diabetes nurse educator, a key component of this program. “Diabetes management practices are the key to preventing further serious health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness,” said AMA Foundation President Owen Garrick, MD. “We are pleased to support the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative in its efforts to provide high quality health care and education to uninsured patients, who face even greater challenges in controlling their disease.” The AMA Foundation’s Healthy Communities/ Healthy America program is one of the few national funding opportunities devoted solely to free healthcare centers. These non-profit, volunteer-based organizations provide a range of free or low-cost medical services to the approximately 46 million Americans without health insurance. The funding of these centers is generally raised on the local level with little, if any, government support. “Most of our patients have not seen a doctor in many years and have multiple medical problems,” said BVMI Medical Director Arthur R. De Simone. “Diabetes is a predominant chronic disease. The grant awarded by the AMA Foundation will help enormously in our effort to help patients to manage the disease and, thus, improve the quality of their life.” BVMI is completely dependent on contributions from individuals, community groups, and foundation grants. BVMI provides free primary and preventive medical care to working, low-income Bergen County residents who have no insurance of any kind. The BVMI Healthcare Center, a state-licensed ambulatory care facility, is located at 241 Moore Street, in Hackensack. For more information, contact BVMI at (201) 3422478 or visit bvmi.org. The AMA Foundation offers a broad range of programs in public health and medical education. This year’s Healthy Communities/Healthy America program is supported by an educational grant from Lilly USA, LLC; additional funding is provided by Don Mitchell, MD, Mary Sue Mitchell, and other generous donors. To learn more, visit amafoundation.org. Author Penny Colman will address Glen Rock’s League of Women Voters on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Colman, who is poised to embark on national tour, has already spoken about her latest book, “Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony: A Friendship That Changed the World,” at the Smithsonian Library book shop. The Englewood resident writes about women who were instrumental in changing history but not very well Colman to address League of Women Voters known. Some of her well known books are: “Girls: A History of Growing up Female in America,” “Adventurous Women: Eight True Stories about Woman Who Made a Difference,” and “Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II.” Copies of her new book will be available at the meeting, which will held in the parlor of the Community Church located at 354 Rock Road. The public is welcome.