The Volunteer Voice
E-Newsletter
October 11, 2019
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Cocktails for a Cause
Wednesday, November 6th
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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.
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Leadership Wilkes-Barre Class of 2020 chooses VIM as Annual Service Project
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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
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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.
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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 .
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Pictured above is April Lennon, Social Care Coordinator at VIM and Serena Kozokas, MSW student from Marywood University.
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VIM Provides not only Health but Hope and Healing
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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.
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(The name of the patient and some specific details have been omitted.)
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VIM Staff Members Attend
2019 Philanthropy Forum
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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.
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Welcome to Our New Students & Volunteers
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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
.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dr. Feudale and Kelly Ranieli Attend
Opioid Crisis Solutions Symposium
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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.
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Save the Date
Upcoming Educational Community In-Services
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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.
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Tuesday, October 15th
Geisinger's Fresh Food Farmacy
Presented by Allison Hess
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Tuesday, November 12th
Family Service Association
Presented by Atty. Gert McGowan
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Tuesday, December 3rd
Robinson Counseling Center
Presented by Jessica Budzak
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Tuesday, January 14th
2020 U.S. Census
Presented by Katie Derhammer
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Maven Project Educational
Teleconference Sessions
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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Volunteers
in
Medicine
190 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilkes-Barre PA 18702
Phone: 570-970-2864 | email: vimwb@hotmail.com
website www.vimwb.org
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