The Volunteer Voice
Fall E-Newsletter
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Grants and Donations
We would like to thank all individuals and organizations that understand our mission and believe helping the underserved by providing free healthcare is worthy of support.
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2021 Cultural Competency Education Program |
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Thanks to the NAFC, AETNA Foundation, and CVS Health, Volunteers in Medicine Wilkes-Barre has recently been accepted into the NAFC's 2021 Cultural Competency Education Program. Knowledge about other cultures is extremely important for effective communication especially in the healthcare industry. Through a series of training courses, Volunteers in Medicine employees will learn how to adapt their behaviors and perspectives to improve interpersonal communication with patients. Clients will feel more comfortable while receiving medical treatment and advice, building on our mission to provide an unparalleled preventative and primary care services to Luzerne County families.
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Chief Coyne and Family Support VIM |
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During a surprise visit to VIM, former Police Chief Joe Coyne provided a $2,000 check as donation. An avid member of the community, Chief Coyne supports multiple Wilkes-Barre organizations. He is a very generous man, continuing to aid his community even after his retirement.
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Americares SBIRT Program Cohort Grant
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The Americares Organization has accepted Volunteers in Medicine as an inductee into the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Program) Cohort. This grant is awarded to organizations who make an effort to increase substance abuse awareness.
Hallmarks of the prevention treatment program include thorough patient screening and enhanced information distribution about the preventability of substance abuse. The SBIRT training will assist with continued education of the staff and volunteers regarding the screening process.
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Price Chopper Golub Foundation |
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The Golub Foundation of Price Chopper has offered support to Volunteers in Medicine. Established in 1981, the Golub Foundation provides funding to non-profit organizations in multiple areas including health, arts, culture, education, and youth activities. The $750.00 check will assist VIM with helping our neighbors in need.
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BD, Direct Relief and the NAFC's
2021 Continuity in Care Grant Program
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The team of BD, Direct Relief and the NAFC has awarded Volunteers in Medicine in Wilkes-Barre their 2021 Continuity in Care Grant to assist with providing quality comprehensive care to the underserved population in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
BD is a global medical technology company that has more than 45,000 associates across 50 countries who work in close collaboration with customers and partners to advance the delivery, affordability, and efficiency of health care. Direct Relief, an organization with operations spanning more than 70 countries and all 50 states in the U.S., has the mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies without regard to politics, religion, ethnic identities, or ability to pay. Last but not least, the NAFC is a nonprofit whose mission is focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,200 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them.
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Toyota at Motorworld Provides Donation |
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Toyota MotorWorld has gifted VIM a $3,000 donation towards free healthcare services to low income, uninsured residents of Luzerne County. MotorWorld has been an auto destination in NEPA since 1936! In addition to helping customers, MotorWorld Toyota contributes to the community by donating annually over $300,000 to local non-profit organizations They also establish scholarships for students enrolled in the automotive programs at Luzerne County Community College and Johnson College. These generous contributions make a profound positive impact on our regional community.
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Leadership Wilkes-Barre Funds Help Purchase
a New Ultrasound Machine
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Leadership Wilkes-Barre was formed to help the Wilkes-Barre community through various projects and fundraisers. Their mission is to develop informed and committed leaders who will serve, strengthen and improve the surrounding area.
Leadership Wilkes-Barre previously hosted their "Mission Nutrition" fundraiser at the Jazz Café for Volunteers in Medicine. These funds were most recently used to purchase a new ultrasound machine for the chiropractic and physical therapy services. Thank you to Leadership Wilkes-Barre for choosing Volunteers in Medicine and understanding the mission.
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Senator Casey invites VIM Executive Director to Hearing |
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On August 20, 2021, U.S. Senator Bob Casey held a field hearing to examine the need to improve Medicare to help the elderly by including vision, hearing, and dental. As Senator Casey pointed out, "Fifteen percent of older adults have lost all of their teeth due to untreated dental disease. Vision loss is associated with an increased risk of falls and mobility limitations, and hearing loss can lead to both social isolation and cognitive decline."
Senator Casey invited Executive Director Kelly Ranieli for her opinion on the issue. She presented how some patients at VIM have had no insurance for many years and unable to get preventative services, and visit the dental clinic with numerous cavities and caries. Some patients have abscesses and infections and require at least 3 appointments to relieve the pain. Kelly provided insight during the hearing, specifically about dental services and how oral hygiene affects the entire well being of the patient. "Another issue is the need to educate on proper oral hygiene," said Ranieli "and if the adult isn't aware, then children in the household most likely aren't learning at a young age." Casey's Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision and Hearing Benefit Act is currently under consideration in the Senate's budget reconciliation package.
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A 44-year old female who had lost her two front teeth many years ago, came to the VIM dental clinic for help. Unfortunately, her other teeth had drifted into the front teeth opening so we were unable to give her partial dentures. Thankfully, Dr. Carr, a volunteer dentist at VIM, graciously had her visit his private practice to make a four unit bridge (two false teeth and two anchors) for the front of her mouth. Dr. Carr and the patient then visited VIM for the actual insertion. Dr. Carr's kind gesture was life changing and the patient cried from joy when she saw her beautiful new smile for the first time! |
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Medical Patient Experience
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A 51 year old female diabetic who had returned from Florida called the clinic to say she was not feeling well. Upon arrival to the clinic, she was tested for COVID- 19 and results were positive. After given instructions on quarantining and isolation, four days later the patient called to state that she was feeling worse and was having difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and severe joint pain. She had not been taking any of her diabetic medication for the entire week. Dr. Feudale advised that she go directly to a local emergency department and she was admitted for fourteen days, where she was diagnosed with a blood clot. The patient was given oxygen therapy and could not walk more than 5 feet before becoming short of breath, even with supplemental O2.
The VIM Clinical Pharmacist, Kimmy Nguyen, PharmD, continues to follow the patients progress. The patient was provided medications for diabetes and given a glucose monitor to check her blood sugar levels twice a day, The clinical pharmacist also adjusts her Coumadin level according to her INR results. VIM will continue to closely follow the patient on a weekly basis and provide assistance.
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Volunteer and Student Corner |
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Dr. Mark Rongone joins
the VIM Dental Clinic
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Dr. Mark Rongone, is a new volunteer dentist at VIM. After receiving his doctorate from Creighton University and spending four years on active duty with the Navy, he opened his own practice in Berwick. Dr. Rongone specializes in restorative cosmetic and implant dentistry. The dental staff and our patients are grateful for his services.
When one patient failed to show up for an appointment, Dr. Rongone provided some maintenance for the dental clinic. He replaced the lens in a dental light fixture, saving VIM from hiring a contractor . Dr. Rongone truly understands the meaning of going above and beyond for volunteering!
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Natasha Kulha joins VIM as a dental assistant from Berwick, PA. She works at Dr. Mark Rongone Dental Offices in Berwick. In her free time she happily volunteers to help non-profit organizations.
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Lisa Donovan joins us as a dental assistant from Berwick as well. She is the primary dental assistant for Dr. Mark Rongone Dental Offices. With over 20 years of experience, Lisa enjoys learning new procedures and techniques in the dental field.
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Isabelle Litvak is from Allentown and joins VIM as a pharmaceutical resident in her first year with Wilkes University. A graduate of St. John's University, she hopes to eventually practice as an ambulatory care pharmacist and serve as a faculty member at an accredited college of pharmacy. She chose VIM because we provide a inter-professional clinical experience while serving the community. She is also a certified personal fitness trainer concentrates on health, fitness, and their relation to chronic illnesses.
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Stephanie Ednie resides in Harleigh, PA and joins VIM in her 4th year at Penn State University. She has a real passion for dentistry and wishes to go to the Temple University Dental school. Stephanie chose VIM for her dental rotation to gain experience in a dental setting and help patients in need.
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Shaundai Swann will soon be graduating from the Wilkes-Barre Career and Technical Institute nursing program. A resident of Ashley, PA, Shaundai and is doing a great job at VIM. She is ambitious, training hard to become a Psych nurse in the near future.
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Kohl Chevrier joins us in his 5th year at King's College. Traveling from his hometown of Lakeview, NY, he hopes to one day be a part of the medical field. Though he is unsure of specifics, he is interested in neurology and neurosurgery. He wants to help our organization and the underprivileged because he believes that everyone deserves the right to health care. One fun fact about Kohl: he is a proud Eaglescout!
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Volunteer Positions Available at VIM |
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Maintenance
Dental Assistants
Receptionists
Nurses
Please call 570-970-2864 or fill out a volunteer application on our website www.vimwb.org
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Volunteers in Medicine
Volunteers in Medicine
190 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
570-970-2864 phone
kranieli@vimwb.org email
website: www.vimwb.org
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