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The Volunteer Voice
E-Newsletter
September 13th, 2019
Cocktails for a Cause
Wednesday, November 6th
On Wednesday, November 6th , the clinic will host our "Cocktails for a Cause" fundraiser in partnership with the Luzerne County Medical Society from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Kevin's Bar & Restaurant in Kingston. The event will feature celebrity bartenders, celebrity servers and a silent auction.

If you would like to donate to Cocktails for a Cause by providing a gift certificate, monetary donation or gift item for our silent auction, please contact Kelly Ranieli at 570-970-2864 or vimwb@hotmail.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are also.
Click the link below to download the sponsorship form.
CPAP Machines Now Available
for VIM Patients
Thanks to a new program through the American Sleep Apnea Association , patients at VIM that have been diagnosed with sleep apnea are able to obtain a CPAP machine . Through the program, for a minimal fee, patients will receive the machine, tubing and a mask.
Patient Success Story
Recently, Chris Gaughan, VIM's Nursing Director, received a heartwarming thank you card from a 41 year-old female patient that utilized the services at the clinic for a year while she was uninsured . During that time, the patient went for a routine mammogram which identified suspicious areas in both breasts. She then went for an MRI and biopsy which determined she had breast cancer . Chris worked diligently to make referrals for the patient to have a bilateral mastectomy which was performed in May of 2019. The patient is now recovering well and very grateful for the care she received at VIM.

"Chris - I just want to say thank you! I don't know where I would be right now if I hadn't gone to Volunteers in Medicine . T hank you for all of your care and concern. The level of compassion you showed me made me realize there are awesome people still left in this world. Thank you for all you do in every day health care. You are an amazing nurse and person. You went above and beyond for me. I can't say thank you enough! You left an unforgettable impression on my heart!"
Staff Attends Community Events
 the Week of September 9th
On Tuesday, September 10th, Kelly Ranieli , Executive Director, Amanda Ankner , Development Manager, Darcie Schaffer , Dental Clinic Manager, and April Lennon , Social Care Coordinator attended the Young Professional Awards hosted by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. VIM was nominated for the Young Professional Development Award for hosting residents and students from the local colleges, universities and allied/technical schools.
On Thursday, September 12th, Kelly Ranieli , Chris Gaughan , Darcie Schaffer and Dr. Frances Feudale attended the United Way's Annual Kickoff Dinner at Mohegan Sun Casino. The message for this year's campaign is "small things can make a big difference". The keynote speaker, Kenton Lee, spoke to attendees about a life-changing mission trip he took to Kenya where he identified a desperate need for shoes for children in the impoverished country. Upon returning home to Idaho, he created a pair of shoes with the help of a shoe making company that could "grow" with children. He has helped thousands of children receive footwear.
Flu Shots Available for Patients
On Wednesday, October 23rd , the clinic will offer a Flu Clinic and provide free flu shots for patients from 9:00 am - 2:30 pm. Patients can sign up to receive the flu shot directly at the clinic by stopping by or calling 570-970-2864.
Welcome to Our New Students & Volunteer
Ileana Santana is a new volunteer at the clinic. She has been helping translate for patients during their appointments and is also translating documents into Spanish. She is currently a scribe in the Emergency Department at a hospital in Hazleton. Ileana is very interested in emergency medicine and cardiology. She choose to volunteer at VIM "to give back to the medical community by giving her time. Wilkes-Barre has a large Latino population and I hope to give back to them in any way I can." Ileana is also the proud mother of a beautiful, energetic three-year-old boy who she says makes her a better person every day.
Yarisa Polanco is a nursing student from Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center's Practical Nursing Program . She began her six-week clinical rotation this week. Yarisa plans to obtain her RN, BSN and practice in an ER setting . She is happy to complete her rotation at the clinic - "This offers me a chance to give back to the community and make even the smallest difference in someone's life." In her free time, Yarisa enjoys being with family and friends. She is also interested in photography.
Alexandria Shaffer , a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner student from Wilkes University, spent time seeing patients in conjunction with Dr. Frances Feudale, VIM's Medical Director, at the clinic last week. She will be graduating from her program in May of 2020. Alexandria is happy to treat patients at the clinic - " I admire VIM's dedication to caring for those that are less fortunate. I look forward to providing care to this under-served population."





Alicia Bursey is also a nursing student from Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center's Practical Nursing Program that began her six-week clinical rotation this week. Her goal is to obtain her MSN in the hopes of one day opening her own clinic. Alicia has enjoyed her time at the clinic so far - "Being at VIM gives me the opportunity to try something new, gain valuable experience and give back to my community." In her spare time, she enjoys activities with her children and her family.
Healthy Smile for a Healthy Start Program
Back to school means the dental clinic staff are back to presenting the Healthy Smiles Program! On Saturday, September 7th, Darcie Schaffer , Dental Clinic Manager, and Shelby Goss , Dental Hygienist, attended the Girl Scouts 2019 Girl Con at the Viewmont Mall in Dickson City.
On Monday, September 10th, Dr. Mahima Singh , Volunteer Dentist, Darcie Schaffer and Shelby Goss provided 26 dental screenings to children at the Child Development Center's South Wilkes-Barre Center.
On Thursday, September 12th, Dr. George Puhak , Volunteer Dentist, Darcie Schaffer , Shelby Goss and Ali Feathers , Physician Assistant student, provided 30 dental screenings to children at the Child Development Center's Hazleton Center.
Dr. Jennifer Buckwash Presents at
Clinic's Monthly In-service
On Tuesday, September 10th, Dr. Jennifer Buckwash , psychologist and owner of a private practice in Kingston, spoke at the clinic's monthly in-service. Dr. Buckwash presented information on the identifying and treating eating disorders . She also shared her personal experience with bulimia nervosa which was very inspiring to the staff, volunteers and students that were in attendance.
Number of Uninsured Americans on the Rise
On Tuesday, September 10th, the U.S. Census Bureau released data showing that in 2018, the number of uninsured Americans increased by 1.9 million, bringing the uninsured rate from 7.9% in 2017 to 8.5% in 2018 . This is the first year-to-year increase in the uninsured rate in a decade.

The rise in uninsured Americans is attributed to the Trump administration's efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to reduce the number of people receiving Medicaid.

For more information, click the link below for an article published in the New York Times.
Save the Date
Upcoming Educational Community In-Services
Learning about other Luzerne County  community agencies in order to refer patients  is one of the many ways that VIM provides case management services. All in-services are from  9:00 am to 10:00 am  and are held at the clinic. If you would like to join us for the next presentation, please  RSVP to April  at  april-vimwb@hotmail.com  or call 570-970-2864.
 Tuesday, October 15th
Geisinger's Fresh Food Farmacy
Presented by Allison Hess
 Tuesday, November 12th
Family Service Association
Presented by Atty. Gert McGowan
 Tuesday, December 3rd
Robinson Counseling Center
Presented by Jessica Budzak
 Tuesday, January 14th
2020 U.S. Census
Presented by Katie Derhammer
Maven Project Educational
Teleconference Sessions
In conjunction with the clinic's partnership with the Maven Project , educational teleconference sessions will be provided by physicians across the country. Each session will be from 12:00pm to 1:00pm in the clinic's conference room and is open to volunteers and providers.
The upcoming teleconferences sessions are:

  • Tuesday, September 17th - Evaluating Shortness of Breath

  • October 1st - Chronic Kidney Disease: A Primer for Primary Care Physicians

  • Tuesday, October 15th - Management of Asthma in Adults
If there is a topic you would be interested in learning about, please reach out to Dr. Frances Feudale, VIM's Medical Director, at
drfrances-vim@hotmail.com .
Donate to VIM
VIM is not a federally-funded clinic and does not charge for services . The clinic operates solely from donations from businesses and individuals, grants from foundations and proceeds from special events. Any contribution you are able to make assists VIM with keeping our low-income neighbors healthy, well and working .
Let's Get Social!
@VolunteersInMedicineWB
Volunteers  in  Medicine 
 190 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilkes-Barre PA 18702
Phone: 570-970-2864 | email: vimwb@hotmail.com
website www.vimwb.org