Funds at Work

Paula Flummerfelt Guinnip, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.C.C.P
Heartland Regional Center
Marion, Illinois

As a cardiothoracic surgeon practicing in a rural community, I have a unique opportunity not only to improve the health of southern Illinoisans but also to affect a change in the health of our at risk population; namely the homeless. By receiving the prestigious Alley-Sheridan Scholarship, I had a chance to attend a world class leadership course in Boston and to interact with leading policy makers in health care. The material learned in the course allowed me to further my goal of obtaining additional leadership skills to help me in the daily routine of running the heart program in our community. I live in a county in southern Illinois that has severe poverty and a substantial homeless population. The scholarship has allowed me to use my talents and skills to set up a not-for-profit organization that will raise funding for the homeless. I now have corporate leadership skills that allow me to lead the people as the President of the board. Realizing my goals would not have been possible without the TSFRE scholarship. I am giving back to the community and furthering the mission statement of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education through advocacy.