April
2004
TRIP NOTES
On a bright and sunny Friday morning six planes left from Santa Barbara and another,
from San Diego. The weather cooperated nicely and the trip was uneventful except
for some headwinds on the return leg.
CLINIC NOTES
There was, fortunately, no fog on the Cadeje side and all
the planes were able to deliver the clinic staff and the equipment
without delay. Drs Vallee
and McFarland along with Dentists Grube and Macpherson were already at work
having stayed on the Pacific side.
The
Visual Clinic was set up in a small house down the street and
the Honda generator that we keep in Mulege was put to use with
the varied equipment. Dr Groff
and his well organized team, saw over fifty people and dispensed 42 pair
of glasses. Needless to say this is always an important contribution
to those in need!
The Medical side started a little slow, but picked up as the
people finished there Eye exams and then came over for there
other needs. Quite few children
were seen with tonsillitis. The Discharge planner and computer were put
to good use giving detailed instructions printed in Spanish.
We are seeing more
families
from the adjacent village of San Juanico, and there has been quite a
few requests for an OB/GYN.
The Dental side was fortunate to have Stu Macpherson who brought
his portable root canal set up and saved one mans smile. Dr Klien
was busy
putting back
the smiles of those who had lost their teeth. Dick Klien is a true
wonder in that
he personally makes the dentures at the Mulege clinic that he delivers
and fits in Cadeje. Bob Openshaw did his usual great job of organizing
the flow
and pace
of the patients on the Dental side.
Newcomer Nadia Van Wingerden a great translator; had these
words to say about her first trip. “ I am thankful that
I was part of a dedicated team of professionals determined to
make an intimate health care connection with these
humble hard working people. Generosity of spirit and expertise were
at its maximum. One cannot forget those eyes that look up with
complete trust and hope”.
EXTRA EFFORT
Aeromedicos was asked by the American Consulate in Tiajuana
to return an American woman who was in very poor health to
the San Diego area
for medical
help from
Mulege. Stu Macpherson volunteered and was assured that an ambulance
would be waiting on his arrival at Brown Field. Jim Christofer
helped on the Mulege end to make sure that the woman was fit
to travel and had her documents. The
promised ambulance did not arrive on time. But, Stu did finally
have the woman picked up and taken off for treatment.
If any one has the time it would be a great service to this
lady, named Judith Atherton, to find some relative that could
monitor
her
status.
I understand that there is a computer search that could help.
She supposedly has a daughter
that
she has not seen for many years. She is being treated at Kaiser
of San Diego where she does have insurance. Thanks Stu for your
extra
effort.
APRIL VOLUNTEERS
Pilots: John Grube, Frank Heintz, Jim Gaskin, Ted Kenney,
Scott Gordon, Kent Pember, Stu Macpherson
Dentists: John Grube, Dick Klein, Stiu Macpherson
RDAs: Ruthann Quarles, Pam Heinze,Roni Macpherson,Marilyn
Zellet.
RN: Taleese Yonkers
RMA: Lola Rosales (clinic coordinator)
EMT: Herlinda
EYE: Gerry Groff, Don Zellet, Colin Hensley
Translators: Susan
Grube, Dale Dixon, Bob Openshaw, Nadia Van Wingerden
Helpers: Jack Darian and the gang
BP and Triage Margo
Kenney, Lori Shields
If you'd like to subscribe/unsubscribe to Aeronotes, click
here.
|
