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The Volunteer Voice
E-Newsletter
January 18th, 2019
Welcome VIM's New Medical Director,
Dr. Frances Feudale
Join us in welcoming our new Medical Director, Dr. Frances Feudale ! Dr. Feudale has been volunteering at the clinic for over nine years. She will be treating patients and overseeing new innovative projects at the clinic on a full-time basis, Monday-Friday. Dr. Feudale will be a true asset to VIM and the staff and volunteers are thrilled to have her join the team.
VIM's Annual Luncheon is Less
Than Two Weeks Away!
We're less than two weeks away from our Annual Meeting and Appreciation Luncheon ! The luncheon will be held on Tuesday, January 29th from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.

We're looking forward to celebrating our outstanding volunteers and supporters and updating attendees on the progression that has been made at the clinic over the past year. Two patients will also share their experiences at VIM.
Sponsorship opportunities  are still available and greatly appreciated. Click the link below for the sponsorship levels and form. If additional information is needed, please contact Amanda Ankner at amanda-vimwb@hotmail.com or 570-970-2864.
Cocktails for a Cause
Have you placed your bid yet?
Interested in tickets for two to Rustic Kitchen's live cooking show? A Swedish massage ? A 60-minute photo session for your family? Place your bid today on items through our online auction! Many other items and gift certificates are also available to bid on to support our Cocktails for a Cause fundraiser.

The event will be on Tuesday, February 5th at Bistro on the Ave in Kingston from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm and the auction will close at 9:00 pm. Bid on something for your special someone this Valentine's Day while supporting our low-income neighbors in need.

Can't attend the event? There is still time to be a sponsor by providing a gift certificate, monetary donation or gift item for our silent auction. Please contact Amanda Ankner at amanda-vimwb@hotmail.com or 570-970-2864 to donate.
Dental Clinic Manager Featured
in PCOH Spotlight
Darcie Schaffer , Dental Clinic Manager, was recently featured in the Pennsylvania Coalition of Oral Health's (PCOH) Stakeholder Spotlight for her dedication to improving oral health . Darcie has been very involved with the PCOH this year by attending their quarterly meetings and annual Summit that was held in November in Harrisburg.

Click the link below to read the full article.
Recent Study Shows Effects of Vaping
An article recently published by the Perio-Implant Advisory shows the effects that e-cigarettes (vaping) have on a person's oral health. Contrary to what many users believe, the study reports that e-cigarette use may be as dangerous to oral health, if not more dangerous , than regular tobacco use.

One major concern of researchers is that irresponsible marketing tactics have made vaping appeal to a much younger demographic. E-cigarette use from 2017 to 2018 increased 78% among high school students and 48% among middle school students while tobacco use had been steadily declining since 2014.

To read more about the study click the link below.
Patient Success Story
A 28-year old female began coming to VIM in January 2018 with a history of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and pelvic pain. After Dr. Lynn Coslett, volunteer gynecologist, completed an exam, the patient was sent for an ultrasound. It was then discovered that she would need surgical intervention by a gynecological oncologist due to the complexity of the issue. The patient, who already suffers from clinical anxiety, was distraught about the news. Chelsea met with the patient and was able to help her secure Medical Assistance/Medicaid and Chris was able to relieve some of the patient’s anxiety by providing educational material about her condition.

The patient requested a meeting with Chelsea, Social Care Coordinator at VIM, to help her schedule the appointment with a specialist in the area. Chelsea and the patient ran into some major problems with the insurance plan she was issued, and the insurance company was not helpful. What originally was going to be a 20 minute appointment turned in to two hours of trying to find a PCP for the patient so she could get a referral to the correct specialist. Finally, the patient was able to get a new patient appointment with a PCP in her insurance plan and Chelsea coordinated to make sure they were able to provide the referral.

The patient said that she would have been too stressed to try and figure out her insurance and new doctor's appointment on her own and was grateful for Chelsea’s help. The patient later called Chelsea to update her, and let her know that everything is going smoothly. She is no longer a patient at VIM due to having insurance but the staff will continue to assist her navigate the health care system. She thanked Chelsea for e verything the clinic has done for her, and emphasized that if not for VIM her problem would have gone untreated until it was too late.
Patient Centered Medical Home Update
The Americares team recently published an article about VIM being selected as one of two clinics nationwide to pursue the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Certification this year. The article details the importance of clinics being established as medical homes for low-income, uninsured individuals and how it improves the quality of care provided to those patients.
Welcome to Our
New Students & Resident
Ashley Rood began her six-week rotation at the clinic last week. She is in her fifth year of the Physician Assistant Program at King's College. Ashley is interested in practicing in OB-GYN, Psychiatry or Rheumatology locally upon completion of the program. She was happy to be placed at VIM since she "would love to learn to care for the uninsured to better myself as a provider and help me think outside the box." On top of her schooling, Ashley is also wedding planning!
Cadean Daugherty is a pharmacy student from Wilkes University that began her six-week clinical rotation at VIM this week. She was excited to be assigned to the clinic because "it is an opportunity to learn and be involved in the community". Upon graduation, Cadean would like to practice in a community pharmacy or ambulatory pharmacy.
Kartik Rai , a Geisinger Family Medicine Resident, spent time seeing patients in conjunction with Dr. Sordoni at the clinic last week. Kartik is originally from Marlboro, NJ and hopes to practice sports medicine in the tri-state area upon completion of his program. He enjoyed his experience at the clinic - "this was an excellent opportunity to utilize medical knowledge while also gaining understanding of social aspects of medicine".
Healthy Smiles Program
Visits Local Preschools
On Friday, January 4th,  Darcie Schaffer , Dental Clinic Manager, and Shelby Goss , Dental Hygienist, presented the Healthy Smiles program to the  Curious Kids Learning Center in Wilkes Barre. The children enjoyed practicing brushing on Katie the Kangaroo!
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 Chelsea at  chelsea-vimwb@hotmail.com  or 570-970-2864.
 Tuesday, January 22nd
The Keystone Mission


Tuesday, February 26th
The Importance of Pharmacology
Presented by the Wilkes University Pharmacy Students
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