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The Volunteer Voice
E-Newsletter
October 11, 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.
Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2020 chooses VIM as Annual Service Project
Pictured Above is Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2020: Beth Doherty, Terri Shaner, Chad DeBona, Ryan Lovett, John Shemo, Stacy White, Alexandra Treslar, Duane Frank with staff members, April Lennon and Kelly Ranieli
Every year the Leadership Wilkes Barre program trains employees of local companies on leadership skills to develop informed and committed leaders. Each class chooses a nonprofit organization to support by assisting with a particular project. This year we are very pleased to announce the Class of 2020 has chosen Volunteers in Medicine as their nonprofit organization.

Each Wednesday, fresh groceries are provided to the patients, however, VIM does not have a storing system for the food to last longer than the day or two. The Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2020 has offered to help fund raise for a new refrigerator and shelving system to allow more fresh food for our patients . They are also going to brainstorm and assist with ways VIM can enhance their wellness program offered to patients. This may include exercise activities that require supplies such as yoga mats, exercise balls, and a meditation area. Many of the low income patients at VIM do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and can't afford to sign up for an exercise program. This project will have a great impact on the patients health by offering fresh foods and a wellness program. The staff is very excited to work with the Class of 2020 on this project.









April Lennon, MSW, and Serena Kozokas, Marywood University MSW intern, attended training at the two day Trauma Summit hosted sponsored by the 2017 PA Hurricane Supplemental Emergency Response Grant (SERG) at the Woodlands in Wilkes-Barre.

Numerous research has been conducted revealing that individuals in the helping profession are more susceptible to the effects of secondary and vicarious trauma. Presenters taught professionals ways to identify and distinguish between the ways vicarious and secondary trauma impacts professionals. Attendees were taught the importance of incorporating self-care plans to avoid compassion fatigue and the importance of incorporating self-care strategies on an individual and organizational level. Resources for self-care were shared with the volunteers and staff of VIM . 
Pictured above is April Lennon, Social Care Coordinator at VIM and Serena Kozokas, MSW student from Marywood University.
VIM Provides not only Health but Hope and Healing
Anna is a 40 year old female who is raising three children independently and works full time as a housekeeper. Anna and her children currently live in a shelter because the pay from the housekeeping job can't afford them a home.

Anna and her family came to the United States from another country approximately one year ago and found their way to the VIM Clinic.  Anna was diagnosed with diabetes, elevated cholesterol and depression.  VIM's Social Worker initially evaluated her to assist with local resources and then got very involved with working closely with attorneys to help Anna with her immigration status.  

Many disciplines at the Clinic from primary care physicians to pharmacist, to chiropractor, to social worker has given Anna the support and tools she needs to stay healthy, well, and working.  She is also enrolled in English as a Second Language classes that are offered at the clinic. Anna's very warm and infectious smile is present at every visit, even when she sheds her tears.  The staff can only touch the surface of the struggles she faces on a daily basis. Her goal is to give her children a better life, as she states in the note on the right; and yes, always with a very warm and affectionate smile.   
(The name of the patient and some specific details have been omitted.)
VIM Staff Members Attend
2019 Philanthropy Forum
Kelly Ranieli and Darcie Schaffer attended the 2019 Philanthropy Forum on October 9th and October 10th at the Woodlands and Wilkes University. The forum focused on promoting ethical and effective fund raising. Seminars included 10 Secrets to Optimizing your Online Donation Process, How to Get Donor Visits and Knock Them Out of the Park, and Using Social Media for Good. Thank you to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, The Luzerne Foundation, and Wilkes University for presenting this informational forum.
Welcome to Our New Students & Volunteers
Matthew Mantilla is a fifth year student at King's College. In the future, he hopes to work in pediatrics and family medicine. Matthew chose Volunteers in Medicine because of the diversity of care providers .
Reilly Mullin is a senior at The University of Scranton. She is studying to become a registered nurse and hopes to practice in a hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. When asked why she chose to volunteer at VIM she said, " I fully support VIM's mission to provide compassionate care to those who are under insured and cannot afford healthcare."
Veronica Bolsar is a second year student at Fortis. She hopes to one day practice in a hospital or prison setting. Veronica is excited to volunteer because of the friendly atmosphere at Volunteers in Medicine.
Serena Kozokas is a student at Marywood University in her final year of the Master of Social Work program. Serena plans to pursue a career in social work and focus on advocating for disadvantaged populations. She eventually hopes to work at a resource center for women. Serena chose VIM because she wanted to explore an organization that provided services to the "working poor" population. Her previous experience was working with people experiencing homelessness.
Kristen Mahon is a sophomore studying psychology and Spanish at King's College. She hopes to work as a psychologist with underserved communities around the world. Kristen is excited to volunteer because she appreciates the services provided at VIM and hopes to gain experience for her career goals.
Cintia M. Mateo comes to us from Hanover Township. Cintia is very excited to volunteer because she likes helping people and has a passion for it . Cinitia is bi-lingual and volunteers every Wednesday to help translate for Spanish speaking patients.
Dr. Feudale and Kelly Ranieli Attend
Opioid Crisis Solutions Symposium

On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019, Dr. Feudale and Kelly Ranieli attended the Opioid Crisis Solutions Symposium presented by the AllOne Foundation at King's college. The symposium featured keynote speakers including Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro . Panels included Solutions for Education and Prevention, Solutions for Addicted Women and Infant Recovery Programs, Solutions for Alternative Enforcement, and Solutions in the Workplace. The event was very informative on learning about local and State opioid prevention resources.
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, October 15th - Management of Asthma in Adults

  • Tuesday, November 26th - Evaluation of Back Pain

  • Tuesday, December 3rd - Atrial Fibrilation, the Most Common Arrhythmia Seen in Clinical Practice
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