xxAACP Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 3, Summer 1997
ACU New on the Scene
The process began in June of 1995 as a National Health Service Corps (NHSC) conference identified key issues and strategies to meet the needs of its constituent groups. Forming an NHSC alumni association was a consistent recommendation at this conference. The suggested association would support, call upon, and organize its virtually untapped resource of 21,000 health professionals.
As the planning committee met for this new organization, the constituent needs and the political environment directed the organization to be self-supporting while seeking a broader representation. The committee agreed that services would focus on addressing the educational, professional development, and support needs of clinicians caring for the medically underserved.
As a result, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved was formed as an independent, non-profit membership corporation, receiving tax-exempt status in July 1996. The NHSC Alumni and Support Network (NASN), the first division of the ACU, assembled to provide unique support of NHSC affiliated clinicians and students. As a multi-disciplined, multi-sectioned organization, the ACU encourages collaboration and interaction between groups and persons sharing its mission. The mission of the ACU is to promote access to and delivery of quality health care to underserved populations by enhancing the development and support of health care clinicians serving those populations.
During its premier year, the ACU developed its organizational infrastructure, initiated its membership drive, created and installed initial services, opened a satellite office in Vienna, Virginia (near Washington, DC) and established its charter Board of Directors. The Board currently has representation from primary care medicine, dentistry, advanced practice nursing, physician assistants, public health administration and academia. From funds provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the ACU has conducted a phase-one project identifying the informal knowledge and skills unique to clinicians working with medically underserved communities. This information is being analyzed to become the basis for educational programming and support services.
As an organizational partner, the NASN is currently assisting the National Health Service Corps in recognizing its 25th Anniversary year - a planning initiative for the NHSC's role in the next century. Encouraging NHSC Alumni to take part in the 25th Anniversary Initiative entitled "Communities in Need ... Clinicians Who Care", the ACU hopes to educate alumni about the new NHSC Alumni and Support Network as they are encouraged to help shape its furture direction. THe ACU is pleased with the number of alumni who have shared reflections on their contribution to the NHSC mission and who have continued to serve those most in need of access to primary care services.
Much is being accomplished at the ACU. As the organization develops, its vision continues growing in response to the time and the needs of its constituencies. The ACU encourages organizations and individuals to join its unique approach for combining efforts and encouraging participation in program development, advocacy and collaborative improvements in access to care. The organization looks forward to input from members interested in working with the Board of Directors toward implementing service and program collaboration and augmentation. As members, the services and programs will offer clinicians continuous support and development, while providing the opportunity to work with their peers can community leaders as advocates for underserved and vulnerable populations. The organization welcomes individuals and groups from all disciplines and who share in our mission.
For more information on how to become a part fo the ACU and its mission, please contact our office at 606/263-0046, or call our Director of Organizational Relations, Kathie Westpheling, MHP, RD at 703/448-8528 or visit our Web Site at www.clinicians.org.
Vannessa Ross
ACU Association Services
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