AMA Foundation offers grants to doctors hit by disasters

Money is being made available to practices that were hurt or ruined by recent hurricanes along the Gulf.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. Oct. 24/31, 2005.

The American Medical Association Foundation is offering grants to help physicians rebuild practices damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Physicians whose practices were harmed or ruined in areas declared disaster zones by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are eligible.

Doctors do not need to be AMA members to apply, nor will their AMA membership affect their grant application status.

The money will be awarded from the foundation's newly established Health Care Recovery Fund, which also will be available to doctors affected by future natural or man-made disasters.

"Rebuilding the health care infrastructure after major disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is an immense challenge," AMA Chair-elect Cecil B. Wilson, MD, said in a statement.

"These grants will begin to help physicians get back on their feet and provide much-needed care to their patients on the Gulf Coast. This effort also will give physicians and others around the country a chance to donate to an ongoing fund designed to assist their colleagues who are rebuilding their practices in disaster areas."

The recovery fund was started with a $100,000 grant from the AMA. The AMA Foundation will accept donations to the fund online and by mail. The maximum grant to physicians is $2,500.