The Flying Samaritans Phoenix Chapter Clinic took place on November 15th at Lopez Mateos. Paul Rowley piloted the direct to Lopez plane and Pat McClure, Bob Dobransky and Michael Dunn took their volunteers to Loreto. For the next few months our overnights will be in Loreto due to the loss of the Hotel Serenidad in Mulegé. Options for hotel reservations are listed on our website www.flyingsamaritans.com.
The folks on the direct to Lopez plane take care of any cleanup needed at the clinic, set up the patient area, the triage area, and make sure the utilities are working and available. The following morning numbers are dispensed for the various specialties in order that patients can start to be triaged and ready for the medical and dental services that we provide.
On this trip we offered general medicine, pediatric, ob/gyn and pharmacy services. Additionally, reading glasses and sunglasses were provided. A big thank you to Michael Dunn, Gail Brown, Maria Kenneally and Claudia Hart for medical and pharmacy services. Our interpreters this month included Lee LaFollette, Ana Torres de Luallen, Holly Dunn and Bonnie Lassen. Capably handling triage were RNs Judy Chang and Susan Canale. Dave Bowman served as a general helper and Bob Dobransky helped distribute the reading glasses and sun glasses. Pat McClure worked on some dental sterilization items and equipment. I should point out that Paul Rowley does an amazing job of mopping and sanitizing the clinic floors. 🙂
This newsletter goes out to over 250 current and past members. It would be much appreciated if efforts by all could be made to recruit dentists, dental hygienists, chiropractors, optometrists, pharmacists and nurses. We are in need of those areas in particular, but also always look for interpreters and pilots.
A number of us have brochures about our group that we can provide to aid in recruiting. Also I would be happy to talk to any group that might be interested to explain what we do and how we accomplish our mission.
The next clinic is scheduled for December 20. Please contact your coordinator to sign up for this trip.
I close with wishes for a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.
Bonnie Lassen
President/Interpreter Coordinator