BACKGROUND Wives' tale

President: Gloria Detesco, who has been involved in the alliance about eight years. As president, she will attend the fall "Confluence," an intensive three-day training session and conference.
Mission statement: The American Medical Association Alliance Inc. is the largest, most influential grass-roots organization representing the family of medicine. As the proactive volunteer arm of the American Medical Association, the alliance is dedicated to promoting better public health and ensuring sound health-care legislation and fund-raising for medical education.
In 1995, the AMA Alliance launched the SAVE program to Stop America's Violence Everywhere. Currently, more than 600 community SAVE programs are aimed at assisting victims of abuse, teaching conflict resolution skills and educating the public about violence.
In the last few years, past recipients of donations have been:
1997-98: Sojourner House, $1,000.
1998-99: Sojourner House, $2,500; Junior League of Youngstown, $1,000; and Potential Development, $1,500.
1999-2000: Sojourner House, $1,600; Youngstown Hearing and Speech, $500; Youngstown Community Health, $500; and Potential Development, $2,500.
2000-01: Potential Development, $1,300.
2001-02: Rich Center for Autism, $2,000.
2002-03: Touched by Nathan, $1,500, and Youngstown Connection, $100.
The alliance also has donated $7,000 to the American Medical Foundation.
Contact: For information on membership call the Mahoning County Medical Society office at (330) 758-1624.