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The Volunteer Voice
E-Newsletter
May 24th, 2019
Happy Memorial Day!
The staff at VIM would like to wish all of our volunteers, supporters and donors a Happy Memorial Day !

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something
bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell
Dr. Susan F. Sordoni Receives Award from the American Medical Association Foundation
The clinic is proud to announce that Dr. Susan Sordoni has been selected as a recipient of the 2019 Excellence in Medicine Awards by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation. On June 7th, Dr. Sordoni will be awarded the Jack B. McConnell, MD Award for Excellence in Volunteerism at the AMA VIP Reception in Chicago, IL. Since founding VIM in 2008, Dr. Sordoni continues to be a valuable board member and dedicated volunteer . Throughout an extensive career, she has offered her time, talent and treasure to many other nonprofit organizations. She is most deserving of this national recognition !

Welcome VIM's New
Social Care Coordinator
Join VIM in welcoming April Lennon , the clinic's new Social Care Coordinator . She completed her Bachelors degree in Social Work at Misericordia University. She then went on to further her education at Marywood University where she received her Master's degree in Social Work. April will be a key component of the clinic's behavioral health program and will assist patients with counseling, paperwork, case management, resources and screenings.
VIM's 2019 "Stay at Home" Gala
The event is imaginary; but the need is real.
June 14th is only three weeks away! Have you decided how will you be spending your evening for VIM's 2019 "Stay at Home" Gala ? This year, all sponsorships and donated funds will go to direct patient care. It's the easiest way for you to make a difference and help support keeping our community healthy, well and working .
Sponsorship opportunities are available!
Please contact Amanda Ankner at amanda-vimwb@hotmail.com or
570-970-2864 to become a sponsor or for additional information.
Don't miss VIM on PA Live! The staff will be a part of the Community Live segment to discuss the 2019 Gala on Wednesday, May 29th.
Be sure to tune in!
VIM Receives Grant from
the Luzerne Foundation
On Thursday, May 9th, Kelly Ranieli , Executive Director, attended the Luzerne Foundation's 25th Anniversary Event at the Westmoreland Club to accept a $10,000 grant the clinic received for the Behavioral Health Program.

The Luzerne Foundation has been a dedicated supporter of VIM since its inception. The clinic is grateful to receive this grant and would like to congratulate the Luzerne Foundation on 25 years of being a helping hand to organizations throughout our community.
United Way's Day of Caring
On Wednesday, May 15th, volunteers participating in the United Way's Day of Caring spent the day working on various projects at the clinic. Associates from CVS Health and Golden Wealth Management spruced up the clinic by landscaping, collecting debris from around the exterior of the building, painting and cleaning. They did a fabulous job!
Patient Success Story
A 54-year old male patient came to the dental clinic in April in extreme pain and was fearful of loosing his front teeth. After an initial appointment with Dr. Mahima Singh, Dental Clinic Director, he was prescribed a cycle of antibiotics for a severe infection in his back molar. Upon completion of the medication, the patient had an extraction which relieved the majority of his pain . The focus then became the decay on his front tooth. Dr. Singh was able to remove all of the dental caries and to the patient's delight , she was able to save the tooth by placing a restorative filling. The remainder of his treatment plan will take numerous appointments to complete but he is looking forward to having a beautiful smile and is grateful for all of the work he has already received.
Diabetic Medications Available at VIM
VIM has a supply of both oral and injectable diabetes medications available for patients in the clinic. Some of these medications can be obtained through the drug manufactures patient assistance programs (PAPs). Other diabetic medications can be filled at local pharmacies or provided free by VIM.

Rapid-acting Insulin  
Novolog, Humalog, and Fiasp  

Long-acting Insulin
Tresiba, Levemir, and Lantus 

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists
Ozempic (once-weekly injection)
Victoza 

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors  
Januvia
Welcome to Our New Students
and Volunteers
Olivia Jankowski is a Physician Assistant student from King's College that treated patients at the clinic this week in conjunction with Dr. Frances Feudale, VIM's Medical Director. Olivia will graduate from the program in August and hopes to be a Hospitalist.
Esherry Mae Fernandez is a medical assistant student from Jolie Academy . She began her internship last week and will be assisting with patients Monday through Thursday. Esherry is originally from Mahanoy City, PA. She has enjoyed her first two weeks at VIM - "The staff and volunteers are very warm and pleasant. I learn something new every day and for that I am grateful."
Madison Yech joined the clinic as a volunteer this week. She is student at Elizabethtown College and will be assisting as a receptionist in the dental clinic. Madison chooses to volunteer at VIM to "gain experience in the dental field and give back to my community".
Brooke Lutz is a Physician Assistant student from King's College . She spent time at the clinic this week observing Dr. Susan Sordoni , VIM Founder and volunteer doctor. Brooke enjoyed her time at the clinic as it gave her perspective on what it is like to treat patients in a free clinic setting.
Volunteers Needed for MOM-n-PA Event
Healthy Smiles Program
Visits Local Preschools
On Friday, May 10th, Darcie Schaffer, Dental Clinic Manager, presented the " Healthy Smiles for Healthy Start" Program to children at Trinity Learning Center in Dallas. The children enjoyed practicing the proper brushing techniques they learned 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 Ashley at  ashley-vimwb@hotmail.com  or 570-970-2864.
 Tuesday, May 28th
Victims Resource Center
Patient Centered Medical Home Update
During this week's call with the Americares team , the staff completed reviewing the policies and procedures for two modules - Team-Based Care and Practice Organization (TC) & Knowing and Managing Your Patients (KM) . As part of the updated procedures, at least once a year every patient will receive a depression screening and a dental health screening . If appropriate, patients would then be referred to the social care coordinator and/or the dental clinic.
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