October  2012

 
TRIP NOTES
Two planes went to Mulege on Friday and two went to Cadeje. The weather was generally good with a mix of headwinds and tailwinds, that seemed to average out as no wind.

MEDICAL CLINIC
It was quite obvious to the medical side; we hadn't been to Cadeje for three months.  With our small but mighty and well-tuned team, we saw 29 patients, along with a few curb-side consults. Patients were checked in by Teresita who also did some translating. The vital sign and lab station ran smoothly, thanks to the great teamwork of Zak Koretz, MA, first-timer Manuel Garcia, EMT (from Long Beach), and Blaise Vanden Brulle.  Myra Howard-Cochran, NP, saw all the patients, with the assistance of cheerful and experienced Cheri King. We saw patients from age 4 to 87, with the whole spectrum of medical concerns. There were some familiar faces, some new, and lots of hugs all around. The final stop for many of our patients was the pharmacy, which always runs efficiently, thanks to Patsi Hodges.  Patsi’s husband Les, and Barbara Mitchell, gave her the extra sets of hands she needed.  Thanks to Direct Relief International, all the adults got vitamins.  It was a very busy and successful clinic. And a “famous first” occurred… the dental side finished before the medical side! 

CLINIC
This month the dental clinic, with three dentists and an able staff, served 25 patients, many for multiple procedures.  Dr. John Grube, assisted by Larry Cochran, and Dr. Vu Le, assisted by his father, Dong Vu, were busy with consults, fillings, and extractions, while Dr. Stu MacPherson and Roni performed root canals for needy patients.  Hygienist Liz Bracken cleaned teeth for 10 patients and was able to refer many to the dentists for additional treatment.  Nancy Callahan sterilized instruments while Susan Grube did triage and translations with Angela Vanden Brulle.

NOTEWORTHY
A big part of the success of our trips is the help of local volunteers from the community of Mulege and San Jaunico and this trip was no exception. Eight volunteers from the two communities helped ensure a very successful clinic. Thanks everyone.

Sadly, however, two days after we left, the town of Mulege suffered some serious flooding from Hurricane Paul. The electricity and water is back but mop-ups continue. We hear that the Hotel Serenidad is open and survived with minimal damage.

IN MEMORIUM
It is with many happy memories that we note the passing, on Sept. 10, of our friend and fellow volunteer Mary MacDonald.   She was the Aeromedicos’ Web Master for several years and was always ready to help us whenever she was  called.  One trip Mary and Silvio slept on a leaky air mattress and still cooked gourmet meals for 20, in San Juanico.

OCTOBER VOLUNTEERS 
Pilots/Plane Refuelers/Maintenance/Repairs: Larry Cochran, John Grube, Frank Heintz, Roni and Stu MacPherson. Terry Rahe, Robin Gauss
Dentists: John Grube,  Stu MacPherson,  Vu Te Le    
FNP: Myra Cochran    Dental Assistants: Larry Cochran, Roni MacPherson, Dong Tran Le 
Hygienist: Liz Bracken    Pharmacy: Patsi Hodges, Les Hodges, Barbara Mitchell     
Translators: Susan Grube, Teresita Carmello, Cheri King, Angela Vanden Brulle      
Helpers: Zak Koretz, Nancy Callahan, Blaise Vanden Brulle   EMT: Manuel Garcia

Pre-Trip Potluck: Halloween falls on the normal night of our pre trip potluck and it has been decided that there will not be a meeting for this trip.                                                                                                                 

AEROMEDICOS
P.O. Box 538
Goleta  CA 93116

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