The Flying Samaritans April Clinic took place on April 20 at Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos. After a few last minute changes six planes carried our volunteers to the clinic on Saturday with the overnights taking place in Loreto this month.
We were able to provide general medical, dermatological, ob/gyn, and pediatric services. Additionally two dentists and two RDHs worked steadily all day. Our offerings of reading glasses and sunglasses are very popular and appreciated by our patients. Triage nurses and EMTs help to organize patients’ medical files and direct patients to the needed providers.
With the help of interpreters and pharmacy volunteers, 121 services were provided for patients this month.
Our pilots, Charlie Brown, Pat McClure, Shane Redline, Chuck Schroll, Larry Karpurk and Jack Lipton, not only provide transportation but also work at various jobs in the clinic. Charlie sees to maintenance and repairs, as does Larry. Pat helps out in sterilization of dental equipment, Shane helps with the reading glasses and Chuck was our pharmacy help.
Aptly handling triage was our Triage Coordinator, Karen León and some of our Tucson contingent, Malone Hodges and Colin Hodges. Two others from Tucson included Marilyn Malone and Iris Labra who served as interpreters along with Cory Lovett, Bonnie Lassen and Dave Lindgren. The dental folks included dentists Greg Frodel and Jack Lipton, dental hygienists Suzanne Nissen and Karen Felty. Our medical providers were Shane Bezzant, Claudia Hart, Gail Brown and Jason Arnett and his daughter Sophie, Kathleen Fellows from Tucson was also in attendance.
First timers on this trip were Shane Bezzant and Jason Arnett. Jason saw dermatological patients and this was the first time in quite a while that we were able to provide this particular service.
John Nissen, Dave Bowman,John Felty and Jodi Johnson were helpers and support for the providers.
As always, we are grateful to Guillermo, Olivia and Andrea for providing our delicious lunch at the clinic.
In closing, recruiting new volunteers is always a challenge and whatever you can do to help would be much appreciated. We are always in need of dentists, interpreters, chiropractors, pilots and nurses. Also, just a reminder to pay your dues even if you do not have a trip scheduled, the donation is helpful.
