October 2006

TRIP NOTES

Two planes flew down to Cadeje on Thursday, to prepare the clinic. Thursday’s weather was great, with the exception of headwinds. The other five planes left on Friday, in light occasional rain until the border. The Thursday planes were told that there would be no fuel in San Felipe on Friday. The message was relayed back via sat phone and most Friday planes cleared via Ensenada. Sunday’s return gave us headwinds also, so most planes cleared out at Puerto Peñasco.

CLINIC PREP CREW

Don Bates, Robin Gauss, Nancy Callahan, Hugh Dyer, John Grube, and Eustaquio Aguilar spent Friday cleaning and repairing the clinic after the summer break. Hugh saved the dental clinic! Without his repairs, we would have hobbled along on Saturday. Don and Robin checked and ran the generator and then wired up the secondary school to the main generator. Nancy cleaned and prepped the medical side and discarded out-of-date meds from the pharmacy. A photo of Herlinda and Ramon was hung in the main area with a thank you plaque from Aeromédicos.

CLINIC NOTES

Three docs made the list of 45 patients proceed efficiently. Jim Scheib had a patient with a previous scuba diving accident and called in Hugh Dyer and Robin Gauss, both professional divers, for a consult. Jim Mitchell put 8 stitches in a surfer’s facial wound. Kevin Hutton’s ER experience was a bonus, too. Marilyn Enns did a terrific job as clinic coordinator and first-timer Amy Mursante was super in the pharmacy. Jim Scheib reminded me to thank the nurses and EMTs, who really make things flow smoothly.

DENTAL CLINIC

With efficient screening by Don Zellet, the dental group ran smoothly. Dr. Chuck was great. This was his first time and he seemed right at home the whole way, with his ever-present smile. Hope to see you again. Lindsey, also a first-timer, was super as a dental assistant. The real star was Dale Murnane, who was the very last to finish, seeing everyone who needed his/her teeth cleaned. Thirty one patients were seen in the dental clinic. Thanks, Samantha, for the sterilization and Nancy, for filling in as a dental assistant.

OCTOBER VOLUNTEERS

Pilots: Craig Arcuri, Don Bates, Jim Gaskin, John Grube/Robin Gauss, John Goerke, Frank Heintz, Ted Kenney, Dale Smith
MDs: Kevin Hutton, Jim Mitchell, Jim Scheib
Clinic Coordinator: Marilyn Enns
Dentists: John Grube, Charles Moggia
Dental Hygiene: Dale Munane
Dental Assistants: Nancy Callahan, Linsey Freeman
Dental Helper: Samantha
RNs: Bobbi Bliss, Adria Lawson, Christine Gaskin { new}
EMT: Joel Chappel
Helpers: Margo Kenney, Pam Hutton, Bjorn Snider, Amy Musante
Construction: Don Bates, Hugh Dyer, Robin Gauss
Interpreters: Don Zellet, Dale Dixon, Susan Grube

NOVEMBER TRIP

Next trip will be November 10th. The pre trip Barbeque and season kick off will be November 1st at the home of Frank Heintz. Click here for details »

November volunteers, call Melodi at (805) 736-7123.

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