July 4, 2009

Welcome to the University of Alabama Medical Alumni Association website! MAA CONTINUES TO SEEK SOLUTION WITH ADMINISTRATION, WHILE MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE  Following the recent withdrawal of access to medical students and announcement of UAB’s new “Medical Alumni Chapter of the UAB National Alumni Society,” the Executive Committee of the U of A Medical Alumni Association (President Theodis Buggs, President Elect Gerhard Boehm, Past President Betty Ruth Speir and Treasurer Alan Dimick) were asked to meet with UAB Officials and two members of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama.  Although the Executive Committee expected the meeting to concern the recent actions listed above, the interrogation focused on other matters.  At no time were new affiliations or terms of any “agreements” discussed.  Three weeks later, this “Affiliation Agreement," which they said was the final proposal, was received by President Theodis Buggs.  (Read it here.)  (Accompanying correspondence here)  This “Agreement” would make the MAA the “official” alumni organization of the School of Medicine (which it has been throughout the history of the School until now); but by absorbing the MAA into UAB.  Taking all the MAA’s money, eliminating the staff, eliminating the ability to raise new money or maintain its property, this “agreement” would put all assets and functions of the MAA under UAB (not even SOM) departments. For your convenience we have included a side-by-side summary of how the MAA would function under the proposal compared to its current status. (View comparison summary here.)   This was unanimously voted down by your 20 member Board of Directors, with 10 of the Past Presidents adding their voices as well.  (Read the letter of response here.) (Click here to read other recent correspondence.)  We would like to hear from all of you, our members.  Clearly we can survive and prosper for the good of our alumni, our medical students, and the medical community, if that is what you want of your Medical Alumni Association.  Sometimes it is vitally important for there to be an independent voice in the medical education community, unaffected by tax dollars or political intrigue.  Please let us hear from you!  The University of Alabama Medical Alumni Association 811 20th Street South Birmingham, Alabama  35205 205-325-3092 www.AlabamaMedicalAlumni.org email:  office@AlabamaMedicalAlumni.org   MAA Celebrates 150 Years of Medical Education in Alabama Click here to read sesquicentennial news.     Click here to read the MAA Executive Committee's March 2009 update letter to alumni. For previous letters to the alumni from the President and Executive Committee, Click here. (PDF Format)   Alabama State Legislature Addresses School Name Issue Medical Student Programs- Find out what the MAA is doing to support the SOM's students. Jefferson Tower Signatory Proofs- Historical Proofs are still available. Proceeds benefit Tinsley Harrison Endowed Chair.  Become a Member! Click here to find out how to become a member of the University of Alabama Medical Alumni Association! Make Your Contribution To the Tinsley R. Harrison Endowed Chair in Medicine Click here or for more information, please contact us at webmaster@AlabamaMedicalAlumni.org.

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