Last weekend we had our opening clinic for the 2025-2026 season. Thankfully the rain storms were over with and the clinic landing strip had dried out. We had four airplanes transporting volunteers to the Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos location.
Paul Rowley and Cory Lovett were in the direct to Lopez plane on Friday and along with Judith Logan cleaned up the clinic and prepared it for the Saturday morning volunteers and patients. Additionally, Pat McClure also flew to Lopez on Friday with Pam McMahon and William Hickman to clean up, check equipment and prepared the dental area. Pat, Nolan Larson and Steve Knott piloted the planes arriving from Loreto on Saturday morning.
Handling triage was a new volunteer, Courtney Allen, and Nolan Larson. Paul Rowley managed the inflow of patients. Judith and Steve Knott efficiently dispensed reading glasses and serving as interpreters were Cory Lovett and José Martinez, another first time volunteer. Dentists included Pam McMahon and William Hickman. Erika Sales offered dental hygiene services. Cynthia Medina saw general medicine patients and Claudia Hart saw pediatric patients. All told, 99 services were provided.
Roberto Logan provided another delicious lunch.
The day ended with a pleasant dinner together in Loreto. Most found accommodations at the Oasis Hotel. We are continuing to research hotel accommodations in both Loreto and Guaymas since the loss of our beloved Hotel Serenidad in Mulegé.
I would like to close by reminding you that dues are due for this coming season and can be paid online at our website www.flyingsamaritans.com or by snail mail (address on website). If you know of folks who might be interested in volunteering with us, please refer them to our website, which contains a lot of useful information and contact information for each specialty.
Our next two clinics are scheduled for November 15 and December 20.
Many thanks to all who made this another successful clinic.
Bonnie Lassen
President/Interpreter Coordinator