History

A Retrospective of Past Presidents of MSMSA

• 

  1926-27

  Dr. Caroline Bartlett Crane
  

  In 1926 a group of Michigan doctors' wives lead by Caroline Bartlett Crane of Kalamazoo met on Mackinac Island to talk about forming an auxiliary to the Medical Society.

• 

  1927-28

  Josephine H. Keifer
  Wayne County
  

  The deadliest school massacre in the nation’s history occurred in Bath, Michigan when Andrew Kehoe blew up his home and Bath Consolidated School killing 45 people, 38 of them children.

• 

  1929-30

  Mrs. L.J. Harris
  Jackson County
  

  The Great Depression began in August 1929 and lasted until the winter of 1933.

• 1930-31

  The average cost of a new car was $640.

• 

  1931-32

  Sadie I. McIntyre
  Ingham County
  

  The Empire State Building was completed.

• 

  1932-33

  Mrs. S.A. Mercer
  Oakland County
  

  Amelia Earhart completed the first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean by a woman.

• 

  1933-34

  Mrs. Elmer L. Whitmey
  Wayne County
  

  US unemployment peaked at 25.2%. Prohibition ended in December 1933.

• 1934-35

  Mrs. F. T. Andrews
  Kalamazoo County
  

  Walt Disney introduced the character of Donald Duck. Bonnie and Clyde died after a shootout with the FBI.

• 

  1935-36

  Mrs. A.M. Giddings
  Calhoun County
  

  

  The United States Social Security Act was signed into law.

• 

  1936-37

  Mrs. A.V Wenger
  Kent County
  

  The Golden Gate Bridge was completed. Margaret Mitchell’s epic Civil War novel “Gone with the Wind” was published.

• 

  1937-38

  Mrs. G.C. Hicks
  Jackson County
  

  Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during a circumnavigation flight attempt.

• 

  1938-39

  Mrs. P.R. Urmston
  Bay County
  

  

  Uranium fission was discovered allowing physicists to begin studying nuclear physics.

• 1939-40

  Mrs. L.G. Christian
  Ingham County
  

  

  Lou Gehrig went to the Mayo Clinic where he was diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

• 1940-41

  Helen Walker
  Wayne County
  

  The Selective Service Draft Law passed by a single vote. Franklin Roosevelt assumed the office of President of the United States for a third term – the first president in history to do so.

• 1941-42

  Irene L. Butler
  Kent County
  

  Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan and the United States entered World War II against Japan and Germany.

• 1942-43

  Lena Willoughby
  Genesee County
  

  War in the Pacific was underway, and doctors less than 45 years of age left for the service.

• 1943-44

  Mrs. John J. Walsh
  Delta County
  

  The war in Europe escalated and our armed forces landed on Normandy beaches in order to defeat the Germans.

• 1944-45

  Lela W. French
  Ingham County
  

  President Truman ordered the Atom Bomb to be dropped on Japan, an action which resulted in an end to WWII.

• 1945-46

  Dell Harvie
  Saginaw County
  

  The G.I. Bill offered our serviceman the opportunity to attend college and many of them took advantage of this to become physicians.

• 1946-47

  Vivian V. Alter and later Mrs. Dan Karn
  Jackson County
  

  The Nuremburg War Trials began in an effort to punish those who had committed such ghastly crimes against humanity.

• 1947-48

  Mrs. T. Grover Amos
  Wayne County
  

  The Polaroid Land Camera was invented by Edwin Land allowing a black and white photo to be developed in just 60 seconds

• 

  1948-49

  Bessie P. Dixon
  Kent County
  

  

  Mrs. Dixon was the mother-in-law of Ruth Dixon who later became president herself.

• 1949-50

  Bernice Wright
  Genesee County
  

  

  Soap manufacturers advertised on a new type of daytime TV programming.

• 1950-51

  Genevive Stryker
  Macomb County
  

  The gavel we currently use was hand made by Dr. William LeFevre of Muskegon in 1951 and presented to Mrs. Stryker commemorating the silver anniversary of the MSMSA. Charles M. Schulz created the daily syndicated “Peanuts” comic strip which ran until 2000.

• 1951-52

  Judy Breakey
  Ingham County
  

  The average family income was $3,700 per year. For the first time, color television was broadcast from the Empire State Building.

• 1952-53

  Kathleen Mackersie
  Wayne County
  

  Mrs. Mackersie was also the first AMA Auxiliary president from Michigan. The first Holiday Inn opened and the Today Show debuted on NBC. In Calcutta, Mother Teresa opened a home for the dying and destitute.

• 1953-54

  Lynn Stinson
  Bay County
  

  Jonas Salk developed the first Polio Vaccine and gave himself and his family the immunization.

• 1954-55

  Beth Milford
  Washtenaw County
  

  

  Elvis Presley cut his first commercial record. The Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Board of Education and stated that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

• 1955-56

  Rita MacGregor
  Genesee County
  

  Disneyland, a new concept in family entertainment, was opened in Anaheim, California. The first McDonalds was erected and TV dinners began to appear on dinner tables across the US.

• 1956-57

  Charlotte Stander
  Saginaw County
  

  

  The Mackinac Bridge was completed uniting the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan. Wham-O released the first Frisbee toys for sale.

• 1957-58

  Polly Payne
  Kent County
  

  The final death toll in the US from the Asian Flu Pandemic was thought to be close to 70,000. American Bandstand made its national television debut.

• 1958-59

  Agnes Reagan
  Berrien County
  

  

  The President and her Alliance penned a letter forecasting the future of Medicine. This letter was to be housed in MSMS building cornerstone Time Capsule and opened in 2015. The first Trans-Atlantic jet airline passenger service began. NASA was established to research aerospace and aeronautics.

• 1959-60

  Louise Gay
  Bay County
  

  Alaska became our 49th State and Hawaii became our 50th state. Barbie dolls were created by Mattel. The Twilight Zone aired on TV for the first time.

• 1960-61

  Jo Ivkovich
  Osceola County
  

  

  John Kennedy became the first Catholic and youngest US president. The US announced that 3,500 American soldiers would be sent to Vietnam. The classic horror film “Psycho” premiered. Kenneth H. Johnson, MD, oversaw the design, construction and dedication of the MSMS building in Lansing. Celebrated architect Minoru Yamasaki drew up the plans.

• 1961-62

  Mrs. Clarence I. Owen
  Wayne County
  

  

  Alan Sheppard was the first American man in space. JFK established the Peace Corps.

• 1962-63

  Mrs. Ross V. Taylor
  Jackson County
  

  

  The first Beatles single “Love Me Do” was released. Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy. Three months later she died of a drug overdose.

• 1963-64

  Anne Himmelberger
  Ingham County
  

  John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald. Zip codes were implemented and Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. The Auxiliary boasted over 5000 members statewide.

• 1964-65

  Irene Weed
  Wayne County
  

  

  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed in to law. Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton for the first time. The US Surgeon General reported that smoking may lead to lung cancer.

• 

  1965-66

  Jessie Reitzel
  Macomb County
  

  The mini skirt appeared in London. Dr. Martin Luther King led the Alabama Civil Rights March from Selma to Montgomery. Mandated health warnings first appeared on cigarette packages.

• 1966-67

  Peg Passink Scovill
  Washtenaw County
  

  The US had nearly 500,000 troops in Vietnam. Fashion was all about patterned pants and flowered shirts for both men and women.

• 

  1967-68

  Frances Gamble
  Bay County
  

  The Detroit riots erupted requiring 7,000 National Guardsmen to restore law. The summer of 1967 was coined the summer of love as teenagers smoked pot and grooved to the music of The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

• 1968-69

  Roxie Weston
  Oakland County
  

  

  The Big Mac went on sale at McDonalds for .49 cents. The world’s first successful heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christian Barnard. Martin Luther King was assassinated.

• 

  1969-70

  Lee Maxim
  Macomb County
  

  More than 350,000 fans converged at a music event called Woodstock. Members of a cult led by Charles Manson murdered 5 people. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon.

• 1970-71

  Nell Rhoades
  Wayne County
  

  During Nell’s year as president, programs on drug abuse were emphasized. On behalf of Macomb County she received an AMAERF Achievement award at the AMAA National Convention in Atlantic City. More than 100,000 demonstrators converged on Washington DC to protest the Vietnam War. A US postage stamp cost 6 cents. The age of voting in the US was lowered to 18.

• 1971-72

  Marion Schoff
  Midland County
  

  

  The start of the digital age began with the invention of the Microprocessor. Disney World opened a theme park in Orlando, Florida. National Public Radio broadcasted for the first time. FedEx delivered its first packages.

• 1972-73

  Marian Barbou
  Genesee
  

  Mark Spitz won 7 gold medals in Swimming at the Munich Olympics. The Watergate Scandal began.

• 1973-75

  Phyllis Jones
  Wayne County
  

  Because of the transition from a fall convention to a spring annual meeting, Phyllis served the longest term in office as an auxiliary president. Secretariat won the Triple Crown. The Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade making abortion a US constitutional right. Richard Nixon was the first US president forced to resign from office.

• 

  1975-76

  Anita Yannitelli
  Calhoun County
  

  Bill Gates created a company called Microsoft. The Vietnam War ended. The blockbuster movie, Jaws, was released.

• 

  1976-77

  Ruth Dixon
  Kent County
  

  Ruth stressed community service during her year in office. A company named Apple was formed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Nadia Comaneci scored the first ever perfect score in gymnastics. The US celebrated its bicentennial.

• 

  1977-78

  Dee McGinty
  Macomb County
  

  The Auxiliary provided a series of mini-meetings in different areas of the state in order to bring more people into active participation. Jimmy carter was elected US president. The movie, “Star Wars” opened in theaters. Elvis Presley died of a heart attack at the age of 42.

• 1978-79

  Willah Weddon
  Ingham County
  

  The Auxiliary began the effort to work more closely with MSMS and was given their own column in Michigan Medicine Magazine. The first test tube baby was born. The first ever cellular phone was introduced in Illinois.

• 1979-80

  Mildred Carron
  Washtenaw County
  

  The Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident occurred. Sony released the Walkman costing $200. The cost of a gallon of gas was 86 cents.

• 

  1980-81

  Donna Chase
  Kent County
  

  

  That autumn the first fall educational conference “Grand Rounds” was held. A Speakers Bureau was also initiated to “Step Up and Speak Out for Medicine”. The Auxiliary logo was redesigned with a new look for the eighties as we became the Michigan State Medical Society Auxiliary. No more Woman’s Auxiliary to MSMS. Ronald Reagan was elected president in November 1980.

• 1981-82

  Barbara Grennan
  Muskegon County
  

  Confusion about Medicare reimbursement challenged the Auxiliary to begin a series of Medicare Seminars that tried to give the layman information and answers to specific questions about their Medicare bills. Computers became less expensive and more widespread among homes. John Lennon was shot and died.

• 1982-83

  Cheri Calvelo
  Jackson County
  

  Cheri was instrumental in the passage several years earlier of the mandatory child seat belt legislation. The AIDS virus was identified in the US. Sandra Day O’Connor was nominated as the first female Supreme Court Justice.

• 

  1983-84

  Betty Drew
  Oakland County
  

  MSMSA focused on programs dealing with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Child Abuse. Organ Donor Awareness was also promoted. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.

• 

  1984-85

  Nancy Crandall
  Muskegon County
  

  MSMSA participated in the national “Shape Up for Life” campaign emphasizing nutrition, exercise and stress management. Other health projects included the Organ Donor and Child Passenger Safety programs. DNA profiling was developed.

• 

  1985-86

  Cathie Martin
  Grand Traverse County
  

  The MSMSA theme was “Make Membership Infectious” and membership increased. The Hallmark of the year was the Doctors and Their Families March on our State Capitol in Lansing. Thousands turned out to express concern for liability reform. The wreck of the Titanic was found. Governments around the world started screening blood donations for AIDS.

• 1986-87

  Shirley Prust
  Oakland County
  

  SFP was Shirley’s slogan. “S” for Save our Seniors, “F” for Focus on Membership and “P” for Press for Tort Reform. In January of 1986 the space shuttle “Challenger” exploded shortly after liftoff killing all seven astronauts aboard. Among them Christa McAuliffe, a teacher, who wanted to be a part of the NASA program. Internet mail known as email was created.

• 

  1987-88

  Pat Allen
  Calhoun County
  

  Tort Reform was the major concern of the medical community. Work was begun on producing a video with cooperation from MSMS that would point out these problems for physicians. After many years of research, a new drug called AZT was used for the treatment of AIDS.

• 1988-89

  Joyce Mann
  Kent County
  

  

  Several counties held symposiums on AIDS awareness. Drugs were still a prominent issue and 4000 “SAVE NO TO DRUGS” posters featuring members of the World Champion Detroit Pistons were distributed statewide. Greater cooperation with MSMS resulted in budget support, billing and other financial interests. Prozac was sold for the first time as an anti-depressant.

• 

  1989-90

  Suzie Pederson
  Bay County
  

  Closer cooperation with MSMS saw Suzie as the first MSMSA President to address the House of Delegates. Malpractice was the recurring theme of this year. The tort reform video was finished and released to counties for presentations. The Berlin Wall came down. George Bush, Sr. was President of the US.

• 

  1990-91

  Pat Dolan
  Kalamazoo County
  

  MSMS and MSMSA developed “A Day with the Doctor” program for state legislators. Operation Desert Shield began as the US sent troops to Kuwait. The first web page was published on the WWW. A hole in the ozone layer over the North Pole was shown.

• 

  1991-92

  Lois Duhamel
  Oakland County
  

  The main focus of the MSMSA was again Medical Liability Reform Legislation. The first nicotine patch was introduced to help stop smoking. DNA finger printing was invented. The largest mall in the US was constructed in Minnesota called The Mall of America.

• 

  1992-93

  Bev Jenson
  Kent County
  

  

  During this year the Michigan State Medical Society Auxiliary changed its name to the Michigan State Medical Society Alliance. This was to comply with a name change at the national level. Bill Clinton was US President. The first Beanie Babies were sold.

• 

  1993-94

  Virginia Mehregan
  Monroe County
  

  In the US, the first genetically engineered tomatoes became available and the use and sale of GM foods was approved. Tonya Harding attacked rival figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. OJ Simpson fled police in his white Ford Bronco.

• 

  1994-95

  Trudy Ritter
  Washtenaw County
  

  MSMSA sponsored a Coalition for Gun Safety Awareness. Governor Engler and the Michigan Legislature designated April 16-22 as Gun Safety Awareness Week. Two new special committees were formed for the International Spouse and the Male Spouse. A tunnel under the English Channel connected England and France.

• 

  1995-96

  Jean Howard
  Grand Traverse County
  

  The SAVE (Stop America’s Violence Everywhere) program dealing with domestic violence was implemented in all counties. In keeping with new technologies an MSMSA Web Page on the Internet was developed. Jean went on to be president of our national alliance in 2004-2005. A car bomb devastated the Oklahoma City Federal Building killing 168 and injuring more than 680 others.

• 1996-97

  Janet Gregory
  Grand Traverse County
  

  MSMSA’s SAVE program emphasized efforts to adopt and support local shelters. The “Gunsense” video was again used to increase public awareness about the careless use of guns. University campus binge drinking was also addressed. Dolly the Sheep was the first ever mammal successfully cloned. The number of users of the internet exceeded 10 million.

• 1997-98

  Blanche Mindlin
  Oakland County
  

  

  Blanche represented MSMSA on the field during a Michigan-Michigan State football game to celebrate “Doctors and Their Families Make a Difference” day. The Alliance also succeeded in initiating legislation to amend the marriage license to read “THIS IS A LICENSE TO MARRY –NOT TO ABUSE”. Madeleine Albright became the first female Secretary of State in US history.

• 

  1998-99

  Lila Esfahani
  Genesee County
  

  At the end of this year MSMSA was recognized by MSMS President Cathy O. Bight as the recipient of a Presidential Citation for years of assistance to the Michigan State Medical Society. UNICEF reported that there were approximately 250 million child laborers worldwide. The search engine Google was founded.

• 

  1999-2000

  Sue Van Tuinen
  Kent County
  

  At the urging of MSMSA, Governor John Engler declared October 13, 1999 SAVE Day in Michigan. Sixteen counties filled over 2500 bags with personal products for shelters. As the world prepared new millennium parties, computers ran testing for the Y2K bug which could cause major scale disruption.

• 

  2000-2001

  Suzie MacKiegan
  Kent County
  

  

  The MSMSA website was created and launched. Gun control legislation and the expansion of the “Hands Are Not For Hitting” program were the focus for this year. Detroit marked its 300th anniversary and the Y2K computer crash problem upon the New Year was anticipated but never realized.

• 

  2001-2002

  Kathryn Ledtke
  St. Clair County
  

  

  The Diamond Jubilee at the Ritz Carlton in Dearborn, May 3 – 5 2001 celebrated 75 years for the MSMSA. The MSMSA conference room in the MSMS building in Lansing was dedicated on January 28, 2002. On September 11, 2001 a series of 4 coordinated terrorist strikes on US soil accumulated into the single deadliest human terror attack in history.

• 2002-2003

  Valary Shroeder
  Grand Traverse County
  

  MSMSA established the County Health Grant Program allowing counties to apply for health promotion funding up to $100. Dues increased from $15 to $32 per year. This was the first increase since 1989. The cost of gas was $1.83, Jennifer Granholm became the first woman elected governor of the state of Michigan. On March 20, the US lead Iraq war began.

• 2003- 2004

  Sue Anne Addy
  Ingham County
  

  On September 22, 2003, the State Alliance hosted a “Anti-Bullying Workshop” promoting an “I Can Handle Bullies” activity book for children. Teachers, counselors, social workers and legislative staff attended this event in Lansing. Two local TV stations were present at the workshop as well as the NBC affiliate which used it as their evening cover story. On June 4, 2003, Martha Stewart and her broker were indicted for using privileged investment information for their own financial gain.

• 2004-2005

  Mary Lou Mathias
  Genesee County
  

  While in office she promoted the ”Shape Up For Life” challenge. In December of 2004, a catastrophic tsunami slammed into 11 countries with waves up to 100 feet high. It was created by the 2nd largest earthquake ever recorded with at least a 9.1 magnitude.

• 2005- 2006

  Marilyn Milko
  Kalamazoo County
  

  Under Marilyn’s governance, the state promoted the AMAA S.A.V.E. program in January which featured internet safety with Faux Paw the techno cat. This program taught kids essential rules for online safety. On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina came on shore as a category 3 hurricane spreading destruction from Texas to Florida. But it was the subsequent failure of the levees in New Orleans that made this hurricane a humanitarian disaster. In health news, soda pop was coming in to question in its role in obesity.

• 2006-2007

  Dee Loge Wacker
  Ingham County
  

  The MSMSA Board of Directors collected $1,500 to send 87 cases of cold packs to troops in Iraq. This was known as the “Cool Project”. A $415 million, 8 year study found that a low fat diet did not reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer or stroke. Many in the medical community found the results stunning.

• 

  2007-2008

  Linda Allen
  Midland County
  

  MSMSA purchased $5,000 worth of workbooks and placemats titled “Hands Are Not For Hitting” and “You Don’t Have To Be Bullied” for Michigan students. The US experienced the worst economic meltdown since the Great Depression. Wisconsin scientists announced that they had found a way to reprogram human skin cells to behave like embryonic stem cells without having to make or destroy embryos.

• 

  2008-2009

  Lakshmi Tummala
  Genesee County
  

  As this was an election year, the alliance supported MSMS and their call to vote “no” on medical marijuana. On November 3, 2008 Barack Obama won the US Presidential election and he made health care a top priority on his domestic agenda. In April 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the detection of swine flu cases in the US. Face masks and hand sanitizer sold out.

• 2009-2010

  Carol Horowitz
  Ingham County
  

  Alliance State membership was at 743 and Carol’s focus was on making board meetings more meaningful by providing speakers, etc. The White Coat Rally happened on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. More than 1,000 physicians and their spouses marched in Lansing. On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti killing more than 230,000 people.

• 

  2010-2011

  Lynn Moon
  Marquette County
  

  MSMSA held a strategic planning session to determine what the counties wanted from their state Alliance. As a result it was determined that more information needed to be provided on the website. MSMSA wins the national alliance LEAP award for the prior year’s White Coat Rally in Lansing. A pipeline sprung a leak and spread more than 800,000 gallons of oil into the Kalamazoo River causing the largest old spill in the history of the Midwest.

• 2011-2012

  Felicity Thompson
  Washtenaw County
  

  The main MSMSA projects focused on bullying in schools, building healthy communities and building membership. On May 25, 2011, the last original Oprah Winfrey show was aired. In March, 2012, the Census Bureau estimated the world’s population had hit the 7 billion mark, up one billion in just 13 years.

• 2012-2013

  Kathy Adams
  Washtenaw County
  

  On January 1, 2013, MSMSA disaffiliated operationally and financially from MSMS. On September 23, 2012, Ms. Adams oversaw a strategic planning session to address this change. On December 14, 2012, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut was the site of a mass shooting once again igniting national discussion about gun control.

• 

  2013-2014

  Cindy Ackerman
  Muskegon County
  

  Cindy and her board initiated the “Immunization Project In a Day” to incentivize counties to complete a project in their counties that would educate the public about vaccinations. On March 8, 2014 a Malaysian 747 jet with 239 people on board disappeared without a trace. In April, 2014, Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit water to water from the Flint River which caused a serious public health disaster. On July 18, 2013, Detroit filed for bankruptcy.

• 

  2014-2015

  Nancy Fody
  Ottawa County
  

  

  During Nancy’s year as President, there was a concentration on immunization, especially lowering the number of philosophical opt-outs for vaccinating children. She challenged our membership to get out and walk, jog, run and bike in our great state. On August 11, 2014, actor Robin Williams died of suicide after suffering from depression, anxiety and early stage Parkinson’s disease. His death brought depression and suicide to the public forefront. In the fall of 2014, the Ebola virus was diagnosed in a patient at a Dallas hospital. That patient who had previously traveled from Africa later died of the disease.

• 

  2015-2016

  Clara Sumeghy
  Wayne County
  

  

  On October 7, the MSMS headquarters’ building cornerstone was opened unsealing a Time Capsule which had been inserted 56 years earlier, in 1959. That time capsule contained predictions for the evolution of Medicine and Healthcare 50 years into the future. After enjoying the Time Capsule contents from 1959, President Sumeghy, Lisa Hildorf and Lois Duhamel, MSMS Alliance President 1991-92, were pleased to add forecasts into a newly created 2015 Time Capsule, with predictions for the next 50 years. It will remain sealed in the cornerstone until 2065. On January 28, 2016 the World Health Organization announced that the Zika virus was spreading explosively in the Americas. The Supreme Court made a landmark decision in June voting to allow same sex couples to marry nationwide.

• 

  2016-2017

  Donna Lake
  Jackson County
  

  Donna’s goals for her term included increasing membership, participation and attendance. During her year, Donna visited 13 counties. Immunizations and their impact on health were also stressed this year. On November 8, 2016, Donald J Trump was elected US president.

• 

  2017-2018

  Janie Gugino
  Saginaw County
  

  Janie led the alliance to actively engage in educating the public on the importance of immunizations for all ages, but especially babies. In October 2017, the “Me, Too” movement took hold against sexual harassment and sexual assault with a hashtag on social media. On January 24, 2018, in Ingham County, Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40 – 175 years in prison for sexual assault on minors while he was the USA athletic trainer in East Lansing.

• 

  2018-2019

  Lisa Hildorf
  Ingham County
  

  

  Under her leadership, Lisa led the Alliance’s first state wide Fall Focus symposium/luncheon featuring the trial judge in the Larry Nassar case, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. 31.3% of the US adult population was obese. Premature deaths were also rising, increasing 3% over the past year. Researchers said this increase was due to drug related overdoses, suicide and occupational fatalities.

• 

  2019-2020

  Karen Begrow
  Kent County
  

  During her presidency Karen guided the team in a complete re-haul the website which included support for members who wish to start an alliance in their county where there wasn’t one already. The 2nd annual Fall Focus was a success with twice the number of attendees from all 4 corners of our state. With a concentrated effort on recruiting and retention, membership grew 20%. The Corona Virus created a pandemic causing strict social distancing orders from our Governor. As a result our 2 day Annual meeting was very much condensed and held remotely.

• 

  2020-2021

  Rula Ali
  Genesee County
  
• 

  2021-2022

  Valorie Doane
  Jackson County
  
• 

  2022-2023

  Elizabeth Junewick
  Kent County