History
HISTORY OF THE CMAA
Submitted by Carla Andrews
The ’20s – The Women’s Auxiliary to the California Medical Association (WACMA)
was formed on May 8, 1929 at Coronado with 48 charter members
” Don’t listen to her… she’s some sort of suffragette”
- First president was Jean (Mrs. Henry S.) Rogers of Sonoma Co.
- Focused on medical education
- Membership grew to 472
The ’30s – 20 Counties; 3,000 Membership (1939)
“We even love the grouchy old fellows who do not approve of us.”
- First constitution adopted (1931)
- Focus on medical education/legislation
- First Courier printed (1934)
- President invited to address CMA House of Delegates
The ’40s – Membership passed 3,000
“No longer would physicians’ wives be pictured as carefree glamour girls.”
- 9 councilor districts formed
- Medical Benevolence began
- First Fall Conference (1946)
- California became the largest auxiliary in the nation (1948)
- Los Angeles became the nation’s largest county auxiliary (1947)
- The president’s pin was designed
The ’50s – Membership passed 6,000
“Modern woman must adjust to change.”
- Focus on nurse recruitment, blood banks, legislation
- First newsletter to counties (1954)
- GEMS and AMA-ERF began
The ’60s – Membership passed 7,200
“If we communicate our aims, our programs,and our accomplishments, the auxiliary will stand the test of time.”
- Focus on problems of aging, international health, health careers
- First orientation for county/district presidents (1962)
- Joined CAL-PAC (1966)
- President and President-Elect invited to attend CMA Council
- Committee chairs invited to sit on corresponding CMA committees
The ’70s – 50th Anniversary Celebrated (1979)
“Commitment Renewed– Potential Unlimited.”
- Received official charter from CMA (1970) and one full-time staff person
- Focus on stroke rehabilitation (Project Re-Enter), learning disabilities (Project Learn), & medical malpractice
- First Legislation Day (1972)
- First AMA-A Leadership Confluence (1975)
- Name changed to California Medical Association Auxiliary (1976)
- CMERF began (1977)
- Physicians’ crisis hot-line
The ’80s – President invited to sit at CMA Council table (1980)
“Our road to the future begins with the steps we take today”.
Focused on communications, community service, health projects: Vial of Life,Child Passenger Car Seats, anti-smoking, youth suicide prevention, organ donors, Radio health Line, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, teen pregnancy prevention, AIDS, and Adopt-A-Home.
- Doctors’ Day celebrated
- Published California Collection Cookbook (1982)
- First Auxillian of the Year award (1986)
- Community Health Foundation (CHF) received 501(c)(3) status (1987)
- First Speak-Up (1989)
- First joint CMA/CMA-A Legislative Leadership Conference (1989)
- CMA voted increased financial and administrative support for CMAA
The ’90s – Name changed to California Medical Association Alliance (1993)
“Service is our purpose- Service is our goal- Service is our destiny.”
- Focus on adolescent health, anti-violence, legislation
- Adopted 5-year goals
- First independent Annual Session (1990)
- Hansen Award instituted %quot;Roadshow%quot; took CMAA programs to the counties
- Alliance became incorporated, attained 501(c)(6) status, became affiliated with the CMA, and gained financial independence (1996)
The ‘00s – A new millennium; ‘CMAA Friends of Medicine’ membership category
“Together we can make a difference.”
- CMAA office moved to Sacramento from San Francisco (2001)
- County presidents/representatives became voting members of the Alliance Board (2003)
- First “E-news” sent to members via email (2005)
- First Dedicated County Member Award (Spring 2006)
- CMAAF celebrated 20 years of service (2009)
- Focus on Physicians-in-Training
- 2009-11 Strategic Plan Implemented