County medical alliance wins four state awards

COLUMBUS -- Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance received four awards during the 66th Ohio State Medical Alliance Convention held May 11-12 at the Garden Hilton Hotel.
Carol Sankovic of Canfield, outgoing president of the local alliance, accepted the following awards:
"Largest Membership Increase" (17 members for the year).
"International Dinner for Doctor's Day," at which physicians are toasted in different languages.
"Save a Shelter" fundraiser, a benefit for the Beatitude House and The Rich Center for Autism.
"Community Service," earned for a new program called T.W.I.G.S., which provides craft kits for children hospitalized at Tod's Children's Hospital and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Patty Schwendeman is chairwoman of the program.
Local representatives
Representing the local alliance with Sankovic was Kathy Dwinnells of Poland, state chairwoman of the American Medical Association Foundation and District 6 director, who reported that under her leadership $22,000 has been collected for the foundation to provide scholarships for Ohio medical students. Local chairwoman of the foundation is Felicia Tofil.
Serving this year on the state board were Dwinnells and Sue Yarab, health promotions. For the 2006-2007 term, Dolly Handel will be state finance chairwoman, Sankovic will serve as state Doctor's Day chairwoman, and Stephanie Hunter, local alliance president, will be a delegate.