CTSMA Spirit of Giving
Founded in 2012, the CTSMA Spirit of Giving is our way of giving back to our communities. The Connecticut Society of Medical Assistants believes in helping those who help others. The CTSMA Spirit of Giving has received three National Awards from the American Association of Medical Assistants for our Community Service.
Each year the CTSMA Spirit of Giving chooses different organizations in Connecticut to help in various ways. If you know of any groups or you are an organization that would like to be considered as a CTSMA Spirit of Giving Charity, please contact Rebecca V. Parry, CMA (AAMA) at csmapresident@ctsma.org
2026 Spirit of giving
Ostomy Foundation
The Ostomy Foundation educates, supports, mentors and empowers ostomates, family members, caregivers and others within the ostomy community.
Through support networks, speaking engagements, social media and community programs, we provide tools that encourage a positive ostomy experience.
We also advocate for client rights and strive to eliminate misconceptions and stereotypes related to ostomy that exist for ostomates and in the general public.
We work with clients of all ages and from all stages of illness. This includes pre-op and immediate post-op care, and those who seek long-term assistance for continuing education and emotional support. The number of ostomates are increasing due to earlier detection and advances in medicine.
Ostomy surgery is a traumatic experience physically and emotionally. It can be overwhelming trying to navigate the world of ostomy care post-op. Reasons for this life-saving surgery may be, but are not limited to, cancer, ulcerative colitis (UC), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s Disease, birth defects and many other medical conditions. Ostomy surgery allows waste to exit the body through a surgically created diversion from the diseased area to an exterior pouch, which may also be referred to as a bag.
