Author: Delores Selivon

OIF National Conference Update

Posted on by Delores Selivon

After much consideration, we have decided to make the 2021 OIF National Conference a virtual affair.  The OIF Board of Directors, staff and medical professionals believe there’s still too much uncertainty surrounding travel and large gatherings, and letting this decision linger any longer could create unfair travel burdens or financial hurdles and those are the last things we want for our community.

The success we enjoyed in July with our first virtual National Conference made this decision even easier. Of the thousands who joined us from as far away as Australia, more than half of them were attending their very first conference. Now, we have a tremendous opportunity to build on that reach and amplify that success with expanded programming and even more community elements.

If all goes as planned, the 2022 National Conference at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando will be in-person, but will also be available virtually, as will nearly all programming going forward.

We thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate the Foundation through these unusual times. We’ll release more details in the coming months, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. The OI Foundation can be reached by phone at (844) 889-7579 or by email at bonelink@oif.org.

Warm Regards,
Cameron Penn
President, OIF Board of Directors
cameron@heyguymedia.com

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Posted on by Delores Selivon

As the COVID-19 vaccine is slowly becoming available, your local health department determines how COVID-19 vaccines are distributed in your state. Each state is handling the distribution and determining eligibility differently. Listed below are the links to each state’s health department website with up to date information on where and how to receive the vaccine.  Please work with your physician to decide if you will receive the vaccine.

In December, the OI Foundation spoke with a COVID-19 vaccine researcher and other experts to answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. If you were unable to attend this session, please click here to watch the recorded session

To learn more about the availability of the vaccine and where to receive it in your area, please click the link for your state listed below. 

The OI Foundation is making every effort to provide the most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 pandemic for the OI community. To view resources and updates from the OIF, please visit https://oif.org/category/covid19/.

Reflecting on 50 Years – A Letter from Gemma Geisman

Posted on by Delores Selivon
To prepare for the OIF’s 50th anniversary, OIF Founder Gemma Geisman wrote a beautiful letter reflecting on the OI Foundation’s accomplishments and activities since 1970. Her daughter, Cathy, shared this letter with the OI community in Gemma’s Corner. 
Gemma was creative, passionate, and a wonderful listener. She listened to learn about you, she listened to find out how to help you, and she listened because she cared about you.
 
Gemma’s Corner, created in memory of Gemma, encourages the OI community to keep sharing with each other, caring for each other, and providing support to one another.
 
For more information, or to share your story, please contact Jessica at jransome@oif.org.

Please join us for the 21st annual Fine Wines Strong Bones Gala!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The 21st annual Fine Wines Strong Bones Gala will be held on February 20, 2021 from 7:00-8:00pm ET. Please join us for a fun-filled evening that will include an online auction, live raffles, special video presentation, and the opportunity to fund the mission of the OI Foundation! You must be registered in advance on Zoom. Register today at www.oif.org/VirtualFineWines.

For more information, please contact Melissa Bonardi at Mbonardi@oif.org.

What A Year!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

Dear Friend,

As we near the end of 2020, we are taking a moment to reflect on what has certainly been a historic year. We are thankful for the generosity of individuals like you that allows the OI Foundation to continue providing programs and services that benefit all members of the OI community. We have worked hard to pivot and expand our programs to meet the needs of the OI community during this global crisis and want to share a few of our accomplishments this year. Please click here to view the OIF’s list of accomplishments.

If you have not had the chance to remember us with a gift this time of year, please take a moment to do so at  www.oif.org/donate. Thank you again for your support!

NHC & NMQF Health Equity Consensus Statement

Posted on by Delores Selivon

Last week, the National Health Council (NHC) and National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) released a Consensus Statement. We are proud to announce that the OI Foundation is one of the 58 Voluntary Health Agency member organizations that signed the Statement.

The Consensus Statement serves as a public commitment to reduce inequities within the health care system. Specifically, we are committing to: 

  • Promote an inclusive, equitable, accessible, and high-quality care delivery system; 
  • Advocate for equitable access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage; 
  • Partner with organizations that have a track record in addressing social determinants of health to reduce health disparities; and 
  • Collaborate with the biomedical and health-services research and the health economics ecosystem to support equity in development and valuation of new and innovative treatments and services. This includes the collection and reporting of demographic factors in research to include race, disability status, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and gender identity, and other factors to help identify and eliminate biases. 

Click here to read the full Consensus Statement on Health Equity.

The OI Foundation has moved!

Posted on by Delores Selivon

We have a new address!

The OI Foundation headquarters has moved to:

656 Quince Orchard Road, #650, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

After 30 years in our old office space, we were ready for a change. We are so excited to announce we have moved to a new office space just down the road! Don’t worry, our phone number is still the same: 301-947-0083.