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Training Seminar
Tuesday September 27 at 9:00 am
Volunteers in Medicine will be holding an informational seminar provided by Luzerne County Children & Youth Services to educate volunteers and staff on their duty in the necessity of mandated reporting. VIM is not a pediatric clinic but in the course of our work we frequently come into contact with adults providing care for children. It is imperative that we are aware of our responsibilities and the process of reporting suspected child abuse.
Please contact Julie Lane, Social Care Coordinator at VIM to rsvp by calling 570-970-2864 or email [email protected]
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Race for the Cure
Saturday, September 17, 2016
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Komen NEPA is the local source for funding programs that provide breast health services, breast cancer education and outreach in a 19 county service area.
They empower the residents in the service area with information about the importance of early detection and breast health. 75 percent of net funds raised go to vital local breast health services, and dedicate the remaining 25 percent to national research to find the cures.
VIM is fortunate to receive funding from Komen NEPA in the fight to beat breast cancer. Kelly Ranieli and Spoorthy Challa represented VIM at the Race for the Cure on Saturday, September 17th. It was a great day to support the mission of Susan G. Komen, spread the word about VIM and meet new friends. Thanks Dolly Woody for all you do for the cause!
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Flu Vaccine Clinic at Volunteers in Medicine
Walgreens Pharmacy will be assisting our patient’s in receiving Flu Vaccines at no charge three days in October, 2016. They will be conducting a Flu Clinic on Monday, October 3, 2016, Wednesday, October 5, 2016 and Thursday, October 6, 2016. Patients are asked to register for one of those days. The Flu Vaccine available this year is 59 % effective in preventing a person from becoming a victim to the flu, and receiving the vaccine decreases the length and severity of the symptoms should a person be exposed to the virus. Proper hand-washing and covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing are specific means to prevent the spread of these germs. If someone is infected with the flu virus, he/ or she should stay home from work, social activities, and any events where a large capacity crowd will be present. It is now recommended by the CDC that anyone with an egg allergy receive the vaccine in an appropriate setting such as a clinic, hospital, doctor’s office where then can be closely monitored for an allergic reaction. The Flu Mist is not being recommended for use this year due to its ineffectiveness.
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Wilkes University Pharmacy Exchange Program
Each year the Wilkes University School of Pharmacy hosts 4 students from
Huddersfield University in the United Kingdom. While in NEPA, the
students are sent to various sites to experience different aspects of the
US healthcare system. VIM was thrilled to have them spend time at the
clinic on September 7 and September 14th.
Please see below for more
information and comments from the students:
Bethany Astbury, Blackpool UK
I chose this experience to learn more about the role of a pharmacist
globally and also to learn a different healthcare system that's
privatized, unlike our National Health Service. I was surprised how many
things are similar to what I've seen in films. Also the weather was a nice
surprise, a wonderful change to all the rain in England. Trying all the
famous different types of pizza is definitely a highlight of the trip so
far.
Rimanee Kaur, Huddersfield UK
I chose to apply for the Wilkes University Pharmacy Exchange Program as I wanted to be involved with Pharmacy on an international scale. I am extremely motivated to explore the world of Pharmacy outside of the UK. The exchange program would allow me to experience how healthcare is similar and different in the US compared to the UK. I wanted to learn how
American lifestyle and culture differs to that of the UK. The experience would greatly benefit me as I would like to practice as a Pharmacist in the US in the near future. The program would give me the opportunity to engage with a wider community and be an ambassador for Pharmacy overseas which is a privilege. After spending a morning at Walmart Pharmacy, I discovered that there are very few restrictions on the sale and supply of medicines in the US compared to the UK, this was a surprise for me. Certain medicines were on the shelf that were freely available to the public which would not be the case in the UK. Another surprise was the food portion sizes. I found that the US portion sizes were much larger than those in the UK. For example, bottle sizes and crisp packet sizes. My favorite experience so far has been attending the American football game at Dallas High School. The atmosphere was refreshing and team spirit was high. I felt that I experienced the American culture at the game whilst the band played and the cheerleaders cheered.
Kwan Cho, Leeds UK
I'm participating in the Wilkes pharmacy exchange program established between Wilkes and my university at Huddersfield which I am extremely excited to be a part of! It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and this is the perfect chance to further develop my interpersonal skills whilst gaining an insight into pharmacy over here, to meet students at this university with a similar passion to me and to experience the American culture. I love the fact that it is clearly evident of how much the staff care for their students here and how both seem to get along so well.
One particular thing which has surprised me is the food you have here! The mass variety, the quality of the food and the 'buffet style' of the cafeteria is like heaven to me, I love it! Another thing which has surprised me is the difference in the healthcare system, not just between the different states, but also between the US and the UK. My favorite experience of Wilkes so far has probably got to be the trampolining at Skyzone which I thoroughly enjoyed! However, what I have liked the most is how friendly, helpful and enthusiastic everyone has been and I really appreciate it. I cannot wait to show the Wilkes students around the UK and continue to develop the friendships we have already formed!
Jade Pickup, Hartford UK (close to the City of Manchester)
I chose to apply for the Wilkes exchange program as I felt this would be an exciting opportunity to improve my understanding of the many versatile roles of a pharmacist, whilst gaining an insight to the differences in healthcare between the US and the UK. I also thought it would be great to meet and share experiences with students pursuing the same career in a
different country and to see how their education compares.
Since arriving in the USA the biggest surprise to me has been the weather! It is so hot in Wilkes-Barre in comparison to the UK, so much so that I don't want to go home! The people I have met since being here are also so friendly and community spirited which is lovely to see and has made me feel very welcome! My favorite experience so far is going to an American football game and although I was rubbish at understanding the rules, it was great to be a part of the event and I have now become an American football fan! I look forward to learning more about pharmacy in the US every day that I'm here, and meeting more great people!
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The National Free & Charitable Clinic Association - 15th Anniversary Conference
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The National Free and Charitable Clinic Association held its 15th Anniversary Conference on September 10-13, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The NAFC is the only nonprofit 501 c 3 organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1200 free and charitable clinics that serve them. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington DC, the NAFC is working to ensure that medically underserved have access to affordable, quality health care and strive to be a national voice promoting quality health care for all.
The keynote speaker was Robert X. Fogarty of Dear World. Dear World is a renowned, interactive storytelling experience that unites people through pictures in its distinct message-on-skin and has been used by the world’s leading companies and university to learn about their employees and students. All attendees of the conference were able to write a phrase to tell their story. Click on the link for http://dearworld.me for more information.
Other topics at the annual conference included,but not limited, to the following:
Advocacy: How to Communicate your Message in the Legislative arena
How Unique Collaborations can Sustain your Organization
Building a Culture of Workforce Engagement Across Your Organization
Medication Access and Affordability
From Inputs to Impact: Strategies and Tools for Effective Evaluation that will Increase Funding
Principles of Chronic Pain Management
The ACA, Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare
Turning Transitions in to Positive Outcomes
Pictures: Kelly Ranieli with Mickey Mouse
Kelly with Andrea & Maria, the Leahy Clinic at the University of Scranton and Nicole & Kerry, NAFC.
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Welcome to our New Student!
Danielle Spadine, Masters in Social Work intern, Marywood University. Danielle will be at VIM on Monday and Tuesdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Tsukasa Kanda and
Mary Ellen Richendrfer are two practical nursing students from Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center doing their rotation at the clinic during the week of September 12th.
Our Sympathies
On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at the clinic, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to
Eugene Lucas who recently lost his father-in law following a short illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene and his family during this sad time.
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Volunteers in Medicine | 190 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 |
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