The Volunteer Voice
E-Newsletter
May, 2022
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Mark your Calendars!
This event won't want to be missed!
It is has been a challenging two years...it is time to come together to celebrate!
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Friday, June 3rd, 2022
NEPA Gives, is a one-day online donation extravaganza that's all about giving back to the community! On June 3rd donors can make a secure charitable contribution to their favorite local nonprofit organizations, including Volunteers in Medicine, through the NEPA Gives online platform.
To make your donation or for more information please visit:
https://www.nepagives.org/organizations/volunteers-in-medicine-07972e4a-93b5-4397-9a6a-be5928c99b01
Donor Challenges:
When VIM reaches $1,000 in gifts on the NEPA Gives site, the clinic will be gifted another $2,500 from the Moses Taylor Foundation!
If VIM receives 5 unique donors, Neighborly will provide a $250 bonus!
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Why Donate?
Volunteers in Medicine is not federally funded and does not charge for services. As a nonprofit 501 c 3, any amount helps the clinic provide comprehensive quality care to our low income uninsured neighbors. Help us keep our community healthy, well and working.
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United Way of Wyoming Valley's
29th Annual Day of Caring
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We would like to thank the employees from Highmark who volunteered their time through the United Way of Wyoming Valley's 29th Annual Day of Caring. |
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This hardworking group of volunteers helped the clinic get ready for summer by cleaning and doing landscaping on the property. |
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VIM Hosts a
Community Health Worker
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Loreen Gwion was volunteering one day a week as the clinic's receptionist. Northeast PA AHEC reached out to VIM as they were looking for organizations to apply to host Community Health Workers (CHW). Volunteers in Medicine was accepted in the program and the staff knew Loreen was the perfect candidate for the position.
CHWs are public health workers who are dedicated to improving the quality and cultural competency of health outcomes in the community. As a liaison between medical providers and their patients, they advocate to reduce health disparities by assisting with a search for resources for clients to address their socio-economic issues and medical conditions.
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Welcome
Loreen Gwion to Volunteers in Medicine
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Darcie Schaffer, Manager of Dental Services and Austin Wood, Dental Assistant, attended the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health (PCOH) meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in Tannersville, Pa. The coalition works very closely with our legislators to promote dental health in Pennsylvania. One of the key bills they are supporting to get passed is the SB1173 - Volunteer bill. This bill will allow professionals who volunteer to receive CME’s (Continuing Education Credits). PCOH also focuses on getting fluoridation in all public water systems.
Darcie presented information about VIM to the attendees as the Local Stakeholders Spotlight.
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The Board of the Directors of the McGowan Fund have awarded VIM $150,000 to assist with support staff to increase continuity of care in a free clinic setting. Since 2008, Volunteers in Medicine has been fortunate to receive numerous funding opportunities from the McGowan Fund in the below categories:
- Access to healthcare for low-income individuals and families
- Provide primary healthcare services for those who cannot otherwise obtain medical care
The McGowan Fund is committed to advancing an equitable, inclusive, and just society through all of their work. To do this, they partner with exceptional nonprofits working with diverse populations living in poverty, and manage the Fund in accordance with values deeply held by their benefactor, William G. McGowan.
They fund programs that empower families to choose healthy produce and protein and provide these healthy options; programs that engage families in nutrition education, meal preparation, and/or physical activity; clinical research or programs that provide intensive lifestyle management and behavioral health strategies; and free clinics providing primary care, education, and specialty care resources.
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Medical Patient Experience |
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A 57 year old Latino male who provides for his family of three as a cleaner with a local Cleaning Company, came to the clinic for his first visit on May 2, 2022.
During this visit the patient stated he has a history of hypertension but was not taking any medication due to his lack of medical access for several years after losing his health insurance. His blood pressure was extremely elevated at 200/122. Based on this finding, lab results and medical history, the patient started on a hypertensive medication along with a medication for his diabetes.
For the last few weeks, the patient has been coming to the clinic on a weekly basis to meet with his care team. After consistent evaluation, his medication has been modified as well as dose adjustments. On his fourth weekly visit to the clinic, the patient states that he was feeling much better and grateful for the superior care he is receiving at Volunteer in Medicine.
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Christopher is a 20 year old male who has been a patient at VIM since September 2021. He works as a healthcare employee in an Assisted Living Facility.
His first visit in the dental clinic was an emergent situation to relieve pain from an abscess. The dental clinic has a waiting list but the staff was diligent in getting Christopher in for a cleaning and extensive evaluation with a dentist. The goal is to always attempt to save the teeth as opposed to removing, but unfortunately, due to the severe tooth decay the final decision was to remove his front teeth. Dr. Carr, volunteer dentist who specializes in dentures, was consulted and partials were provided to Christopher.
Christopher shared with the staff that through out his 20 years, it was never a priority to visit the dentist, even as a small child. He now has an amazing smile and promises to focus on good oral hygiene! Christopher is always very grateful and appreciative for the services he receives at VIM.
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Volunteer and Student Corner |
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Sarah Slusark is a second-year student in the Master of Health Administration program at The University of Scranton. She resides in Duryea, PA with her family. She would like to thank Volunteers in Medicine for being so welcoming and allowing her to volunteer her time. She stated she had a great experience and enjoyed getting to contribute to the mission of providing quality care to individuals in Luzerne County.
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Wendy Guzenski lives in Wyoming, PA and is finishing her FNP program at Misericordia University. Wendy is at VIM for her Women's Health Rotation. She wants to stay in the local area to work for a Family Practice and hopes to have time to volunteer at VIM.
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Volunteers in Medicine
190 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
570-970-2864
kranieli@vimwb.org
www.vimwb.org
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