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The Volunteer Voice
E-Newsletter
July 19th, 2019
Save the Date!
November 6th, 2019
Cocktails for a Cause
Save the Date! The clinic is excited to announce that we will be hosting our Cocktails for a Cause fundraiser in partnership with the Luzerne County Medical Society on Wednesday, November 6th at Kevin's Bar & Restaurant in Kingston. The event will feature celebrity bartenders and a silent auction .

Stay tuned for additional details!
Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Program
Today through Tuesday, October 15th, the clinic will be selling 25% off shopping passes for $5 each as part of Boscov's Friends Helping Friends Program . Passes can be used at any Boscov's location on Wednesday, October 16th from 8 am to 11 pm. Some restrictions apply.

All proceeds raised from this program will assist the clinic with purchasing a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine.
We're Hiring
Updates to VIM's Health Equity Program
by April Lennon, MSW, Social Care Coordinator
Social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status. Some examples include education, literacy, access to health services, income, social status and coping skills. These factors must be considered when taking a holistic approach to improving a patient's health and wellness. At VIM, we are dedicated to the well-being of our patients and their families. The Health Equity Program aims to reduce the socioeconomic disparities that can negatively impact an individual’s overall well-being.

Updates have been made to the Health Equity Program at VIM to ensure that all patients have access to resources that will assist them in four key areas; employment, transportation, food insecurity, and housing . Patients are asked to fill out a Health Equity Survey upon checking in for their appointment. Recently, the survey was updated to include additional questions on social and emotional issues . If the patient checks "yes" to needing assistance, the Social Care Coordinator will meet to discuss solutions and opportunities. There are also a few new PHQ2 questions that are asked by the nursing staff that will assist providers in referring patients to the clinic's Social Care Coordinator.

The staff at VIM are constantly researching ways to help our patients overcome socioeconomic issues. Funds have been raised to provide bus vouchers for patients who use public transportation to get to their appointments. VIM has become a member agency with the Weinberg National Food Bank to provide fresh produce to patients on a weekly basis and further programming on nutrition education will be provided. A backpack giveaway for families with school-aged children will also take place at the end of the summer. The Health Equity Program is continuously growing and finding new ways to defeat the socioeconomic disparities that our patients face.
The Numbers Are In!
MOM-n-PA 2019
On June 7th & 8th, 944 volunteers including staff and volunteers from the clinic, provided care to 1,631 patients during the Missions of Mercy event that was held at Mohegan Sun Arena. The statistics from the event just came in and the numbers are astonishing !

  • Total value of donated services - $1,196,306
  • Total number of procedures - 7,658
  • Total number of surgical procedures - 1,293
  • Total number of x-rays - 1,050
  • Amount of dental restorations - 927

Many records were broken including amount of funds raised, total value of donated services, number of volunteers and number of legislators in attendance. Great job to all who were involved!
Mondays at the Market
Every week throughout the remainder of the summer, VIM will be participating in Mondays at the Market presented by the Wilkes-Barre Health Department & Luzerne County Medical Society. This event is designed to benefit families by providing health screenings, back to school giveaways and much more.

Check out the schedule below to see each week's theme.
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, August 6th - Update on Hypertension

  • Tuesday, August 20th - EKG Interpretation of Common Outpatient Findings

  • Tuesday, September 3rd - Diabetes Management
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 .
Welcome to Our New Students and Resident
Katelyn Buyarski began her six-week rotation at the clinic last week. She is in her final year of the Physician Assistant Program at King's College and will be graduating in August. Katelyn is interested in practicing in Family Medicine, Psychiatry or ENT in the local area. She is enjoying her time at the clinic - "I love to serve those who can truly benefit from the skills I have learned over the years. VIM offers so much to patients. I am amazed at the teamwork and heart of this organization. "
Zachary Sabaday began his six-week rotation at the clinic last week. He is in his second year of the Physician Assistant Program at Misericordia University . Upon completion of the program, Zachary would like to practice in Dermatology in the Pittsburgh area. He was happy to be placed at VIM - "I admire the clinic's mission statement. I really enjoy serving my community and what better way to do that than tend to the healthcare needs of those who live here."
Angela Thomas , a Geisinger Family Medicine Resident, spent time seeing patients in conjunction with Dr. Frances Feudale , VIM's Medical Director, at the clinic last week. She attended the American University of the Caribbean and hopes to practice in Family Medicine when she completes her residency.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Presents at Clinic's Monthly In-Service
On Tuesday, July 16th, Helen Mae Newcomer , a board member at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), presented at the clinic's monthly in-service. She spoke to the clinic's staff and volunteers about the services NAMI provides, the importance of understanding the needs of people with mental illness and how to handle a crisis situation. Helen Mae also shared her own personal experience of being a caregiver to a family member who suffers from a severe mental illness.
Healthy Smiles Program
Visits Local Preschools
Our dental clinic staff have been very busy presenting the "Healthy Smile for a Healthy Start" Program to local summer camps.
The Scholar Program at Kistler Elementary in Wilkes-Barre on Monday, 7/8.
The YMCA in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, 7/9.
Once Upon a Time Preschool in Trucksville on Friday, 7/12.
Proper Diagnosis of Tick-Borne Disease Can Cost in Pain as Well as Payment
An article recently published on Triblive.com discusses the importance of early detection of Lyme disease and the negative effects on your physical and financial health if medical intervention isn't received.

In 2018, there were 10,208 cases of Lyme disease reported in Pennsylvania, according to the state health department. Using data from a survey of patients suffering from a tick-borne illness, researchers determined the mid-range point of $5,000 was spent on ineffective testing, meaning Pennsylvania residents potentially spent more than $51 million trying to obtain a proper diagnosis.

To read the full article, click the link below.
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, August 13th
United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA
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