Guerrero Clinic

GUERRERO MEDICAL CLINIC Oct 2009
(Please send me your experiences for inclusion - including pictures. Send no more than 600 words, along with your name, and contact information (in case I have questions) to Robert Yudkin at robert@guerreroclinic.org)
Tuesday night Luis sent a link to an article in the Mexican press that he considers to be the "best article in the media" that has seen about our program in Guerrero. http://www.masnoticias.net/nota.pl?id=10802&relax=SFS&pub=Default For those of us whose Spanish leaves a bit to be desired, Luis asked our official translator to help us with a translation.
Tuesday Morning Isabel sent me this picture of her and a little Indian girl who was waiting for one of her parents to come out of surgery.
Sunday 12pm Many thanks for Glennda for sending these pictures. Looking forward to receiving more from others. Mike at work testing a patient's eyes Dr Merlyn taking a break with Guillermo Dr. Tom and Elsa Tony at work in optical shop Betty Joe and Dr Bob with patient Tom tells patient to open WIDE Dr. Rhonda at work Still smiling at weeks end Cutting lenses Dr. Amie and Betty Joe checking patients
Saturday afternoon 3:30 This will be the final post unless I receive any stories from volunteers about their experience at the clinic this past week. The final words come from Walter who wrote that the group worked so hard this week and that he and Sandy were the only early morning volunteers for breakfast duty on Friday (editors note: guess that means the eggs were on the runny side). Despite that, Walter says he appreciates all that everyone did this week - American, Mexican, and Mennonite. He realizes that everyone who comes to help gives up their time, energy and money in order to help people who need the help and can't help themselves. Jim Stevens, a first timer at the clinic, commented on the first day about the number of volunteers who come back multiple times. We hope that your experience was meaningful and worthwhile enough that you will join that category. Remember, Guerrero in the spring is a wonderful place to be... Please email your pictures, thoughts and and stories to robert@guerreroclinic.org so that they can be shared on this site.
Friday 10:45am central Dr. Tim poses with an Indian child who waits for her father's cataract surgery to finish. Our extraordinary surgical team of Gary, Duc, Jennifer and Tina taking a minute to pose in between patients Bobby works hard to keep up with the sterilization needs The Mennonites are served by the clinic. However, they have also helped at the clinic for many years. In addition to translating and patient management, the Mennonites provide food for breakfast like fresh eggs, butter and sausage. They have provided labor to help with various construction efforts over the years. They help with transportation. This clinic has is a Mennonite volunteer named David helping manufacture glasses. I asked how they became involved in the clinic and was told a very interesting, heart warming and compelling story. The short version is that many years ago, an american volunteer at one of our clinics went above and beyond to help a grandfather in need of healthcare for his grandchild. The Mennonites have been paying forward to others since then.
Wednesday 11:50pm Here are the last of the pictures from today. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Greg at work The Chihuahua Secretario de Fomento Social (State of Chihuahua's Secretary of Health Plus), Oscar Villalobos , visits the clinic and lends a hand Mexican volunteer makes lunch Dr. Pruett with patient Dr. Bean takes patient's blood pressure Patricia, a Mexican volunteer from Mazatian, helps sort glasses The Birdsongs cut lenses for glass frames The Mexican surgical team at work Dr Barraza, a Mexican surgeon, operates Dr. Jorge Perea, Optometrist, helps a patient read an eye chart This patient is escorted into the clinic by his daughter. He was totally blind before being operated on by Dr. Clariday. Dr Clariday was able to restore vision to the man. The optical shop team Suzanne Juarez
Wednesday 4:30pm central Tonight is cookout night. With Walter cooking (rather than me), I hope the burgers are more well done than the eggs he cooks in the morning!!! Enjoy some pictures taken this afternoon in Guerrero. There are more that I will post later. Robert ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suzanne Murdock, Optician fixing glasses This is Marcela's first trip to Guerrero. She learned how to perform eye scans as her first assignment Patients waiting for surgery The Mexican high school students are a tremendous help. They do many things including escorting and registering patients. They also work tirelessly helping out with eye measurements when patients first arrive at the clinic. Marcela Saenz, Andrea Armendariz, Valeria Flores learn how to use the equipment in Pre-op from Diana Moore Dr. Marcela Arratia Nunez, DDS from Juarez ready to fill cavities Dr. Rhonda Bean, DDS preparing to fill a tooth (or looking for something in there) Mike measures how much light reflects from the retina. Dr. Amie Gisbert, OD, examines patient Dr Natalie Lindsey and Cindy Stevens help a patient who just had surgery
Wednesday 3pm central I received an email this afternoon from Dr. Javier Morales, a regular at the clinic who also could not be there this week. Javier says to say "hi" to all. He also says "thank you" to all of you who could and did make this week's trip to Guerrero. It is nice to be part of the Guerrero family - even when we can't physically be there. Robert...
Wednesday 11am central Enjoy the pictures from Tuesday night dinner at Cabañas Dr. Bob and Betty Joe Slider, relaxing after a long day Tony Sortino - Day job: Lawyer, Guerrero job: Optical shop Cindy and Darrell Stevens (first timers) - Still smiling. Dr. Natalie Lindsey - a veteran of many clinics - also still smiling Walter Branson - despite turning ## this year, still going strong Elsa Loboguerrero - From Chihuahua Sandy Maxwell - a longtime volunteer. Welcome back. (We missed you. The eggs just weren't the same in the spring) Rhonda Bean, DDS - another serial volunteer. Tina Pruett - another smiling regular Elaine Combs Welcome Ed and Kay Birdsong Greg and Barbie Clariday Suzanne Murdock - Optical Bobby Pennington - It ain't clean until he says it's clean Susie Downs Diana Moore Shunna Ritter Dr. Duc Tran Dr. Tim Planty Dr. Paul Houghtaling Dr. Gary Gillham Marilyn Brodwick - Photographer Isabelle Schmitt - Welcome back. We missed you. Rosemary Linowski Mike Allen
Tuesday 10pm Central Postings may be out of time sequence. rather than try and insert material where it belongs, I will just insert it as I get it. Consequently, this first posting tonight is from the first day. We gathered at Houston's Bush Airport like any other choir tour or group exchange - some arrived early, others just made the plane. My wife, Cindy, and I are "freshmen." We didn't know anyone in the group until we met at the airport. However, we quickly realized that this was an extraordinary group of people. The most intriguing thing to Cindy and me was that so many of the group were returning for their fourth, fifth, or twentieth time. The flight to Chihuahua and the bus ride to Guerrero were uneventful (except for the late-night raid at Kentucky Fried Chicken). We are staying at an inn in the middle of apple orchards. Jim Stevens ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cabañas ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patients come all day long. Here a bus load arrived after a 25 hour bus ride to get to the clinic ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susie having fun with the police chief Tractor on the road between the Cabañas and clinic ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dental Patient about to have her wisdom teeth removed Diana gets every patient ready for surgery Paul, a 4th year medical student from UTMB is a big help Open wide for the dentist !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Volunteers work hard Lunch volunteers provide great meals including the best rice pudding ever !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The real work began Monday. The first crew (kitchen duty = freshmen) arrived by 6:15 and began to prepare a pretty awesome breakfast for the 50 volunteers (if I say so myself). Dozens of patients were already waiting. The volunteers quickly segregated themselves into dozens of different specific tasks. The Freshman were placed with the experienced workers, and quickly learned the ropes. On the first day we examined 135 sets of eyes. The surgical teams performed 35 procedures and distributed approximately 100 pairs of glasses. The last surgery was completed at 7:30 pm. We then retired to a wonderful meal, had time for group therapy, and planned for the days to come.
Tuesday 11:30am central Here are pictures courtesy of Glennda. Many thanks and keep them coming The sterilization team - Darrell and Bob (one of the toughest and most tiring jobs at the clinic) Barbie ready to roll Amie at work as a "real" and full fledged optometrist. Congratulations on graduating and coming back again (where did you say Laura is this week?) Dr. Tom Pruett (clinic founder) with Luis. Welcome back. By the way Tom, is it time to wish you a happy birthday? Patient visit with Optometrist Walter, Dr Clariday and crew getting ready to start the day Mike testing a patient's eyes . Breakfast. Getting ready for breakfast. Setting up the buffet line Greg and Duc leaving for work Cabañas - Where the group stays (if individuals don't choose home hospitality) Robert
Sunday 11am Well Gang we leave today!! I get so excited just before we go on our trip. I just wanted to remind everyone of a few things before we leave. Remember that it is colder at night so be sure to bring a heavier coat. Also, please wear your Clinic Blue shirt for Travel (Guerrero Surgery and Education Center). This makes us look better and it helps with Customs. If you are flying from Houston with the group, we will depart tonight. We will meet at George Bush International Terminal B at 4pm. Let's try to do this on time and as a group. We arrive Sunday evening in Chihuahua City and will drive to the Cabanas where most of the group will stay. We will go to our rooms and get (some) rest as the Breakfast crew - Newbees to the clinic are automatically on this duty so be prepared - will leave for the clinic at 5:55am. The rest will leave for the clinic at 6:55am for the 7am breakfast fit for a King/Queen. Set up of the clinic and pre-op exams will start at 7:30am. Surgery will start when pre-op patients are ready. Dentistry will start as soon as that area is ready. Refractors will start as soon as the clinic is set up. The routine Tuesday through Friday will be as follows.. Breakfast crew 5:55am - all other team members leave at 6:55am. Breakfast will be served at 7am and the clinic starts promptly at 7:30am. Friday we will finish early, pack up and spend the night in Chihuahua. We will leave early from the Hotel to get everyone to the Airport early Saturday Morning to catch your flights home so that you can share the beautiful stories about the lives we changed for the better....and if this is your first clinic...about how it changed your LIFE. Remember, if you need to reach me, my cell # is 979-236-1970 See you later today. Walter
Saturday 10/3 Luis, our clinic administrator, writes that he, Jose and Josie Pablo were not successful in moving the supplies and equipment over the border yesterday. The had a long day dealing with customs and will try again on Sunday. Good luck.
Thursday Night 10/2 The clinic starts in three days. The vans carrying supplies and equipment are on their way from Lake Jackson to Guerrero. They will cross the border tomorrow. Luis is busy organizing the clinic and preparing for the volunteers and patients that will arrive in mass at the clinic doors this weekend. I checked Chihuahua City's weather at www.wunderground.com (type in Chihuahua, Mexico) and found that it is currently 64 degrees with high humidity. It looks like the temperature will be a bit lower on Sunday and Monday with highs expected to be just above 60. The clinic is located in the mountains about 100 miles west of Chihuahua City (see map on tab labeled "clinic location" on left side of screen). Cuauhtemoc is a town about 40 miles from the clinic. I usually check its weather at the following URL: http://weather.yahoo.com/Cuauhtemoc-Mexico/MXZS2410/forecast.html. The temperature generally feels a bit higher than in the city due to the higher elevation and thinner air. According to the web site, temperatures should be in the high 70's but rain is expected most of the week. Unfortunately I will not be on site for this clinic and will count on the volunteers to send me pictures and stories daily for me to post on the web. Safe Travels. Robert

GUERRERO MEDICAL CLINIC Oct 2009

(Please send me your experiences for inclusion - including pictures. Send no more than 600 words, along with your name, and contact information (in case I have questions) to Robert Yudkin at robert@guerreroclinic.org)

Tuesday night

Luis sent a link to an article in the Mexican press that he considers to be the "best article in the media" that has seen about our program in Guerrero.

http://www.masnoticias.net/nota.pl?id=10802&relax=SFS&pub=Default

For those of us whose Spanish leaves a bit to be desired, Luis asked our official translator to help us with a translation.

Tuesday Morning

Isabel sent me this picture of her and a little Indian girl who was waiting for one of her parents to come out of surgery.

Sunday 12pm

Many thanks for Glennda for sending these pictures. Looking forward to receiving more from others.

Mike at work testing a patient's eyes

Dr Merlyn taking a break with Guillermo

Dr. Tom and Elsa

Tony at work in optical shop

Betty Joe and Dr Bob with patient

Tom tells patient to open WIDE

Dr. Rhonda at work

Still smiling at weeks end

Cutting lenses

Dr. Amie and Betty Joe checking patients

Saturday afternoon 3:30

This will be the final post unless I receive any stories from volunteers about their experience at the clinic this past week.

The final words come from Walter who wrote that the group worked so hard this week and that he and Sandy were the only early morning volunteers for breakfast duty on Friday (editors note: guess that means the eggs were on the runny side).

Despite that, Walter says he appreciates all that everyone did this week - American, Mexican, and Mennonite. He realizes that everyone who comes to help gives up their time, energy and money in order to help people who need the help and can't help themselves.

Jim Stevens, a first timer at the clinic, commented on the first day about the number of volunteers who come back multiple times. We hope that your experience was meaningful and worthwhile enough that you will join that category. Remember, Guerrero in the spring is a wonderful place to be...

Please email your pictures, thoughts and and stories to robert@guerreroclinic.org so that they can be shared on this site.

Friday 10:45am central

Dr. Tim poses with an Indian child who waits for
her father's cataract surgery to finish.

Our extraordinary surgical team of Gary, Duc, Jennifer and Tina taking a minute to pose in between patients

Bobby works hard to keep up with the sterilization needs

The Mennonites are served by the clinic. However, they have also helped at the clinic for many years. In addition to translating and patient management, the Mennonites provide food for breakfast like fresh eggs, butter and sausage. They have provided labor to help with various construction efforts over the years. They help with transportation. This clinic has is a Mennonite volunteer named David helping manufacture glasses.

I asked how they became involved in the clinic and was told a very interesting, heart warming and compelling story. The short version is that many years ago, an american volunteer at one of our clinics went above and beyond to help a grandfather in need of healthcare for his grandchild. The Mennonites have been paying forward to others since then.

Wednesday 11:50pm

Here are the last of the pictures from today.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Greg at work

The Chihuahua Secretario de Fomento Social (State of Chihuahua's Secretary of Health Plus), Oscar Villalobos , visits the clinic and lends a hand

Mexican volunteer makes lunch

Dr. Pruett with patient

Dr. Bean takes patient's blood pressure

Patricia, a Mexican volunteer from Mazatian, helps sort glasses

The Birdsongs cut lenses for glass frames

The Mexican surgical team at work

Dr Barraza, a Mexican surgeon, operates

Dr. Jorge Perea, Optometrist, helps a patient read an eye chart

This patient is escorted into the clinic by his daughter. He was totally blind before being operated on by Dr. Clariday. Dr Clariday was able to restore vision to the man.

The optical shop team

Suzanne Juarez

Wednesday 4:30pm central

Tonight is cookout night. With Walter cooking (rather than me), I hope the burgers are more well done than the eggs he cooks in the morning!!! Enjoy some pictures taken this afternoon in Guerrero. There are more that I will post later.

Robert

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suzanne Murdock, Optician fixing glasses

This is Marcela's first trip to Guerrero. She learned how to perform eye scans as her first assignment

Patients waiting for surgery

The Mexican high school students are a tremendous help. They do many things including escorting and registering patients. They also work tirelessly helping out with eye measurements when patients first arrive at the clinic.

Marcela Saenz, Andrea Armendariz, Valeria Flores learn how to use the equipment in Pre-op from Diana Moore

Dr. Marcela Arratia Nunez, DDS from Juarez ready to fill cavities

Dr. Rhonda Bean, DDS preparing to fill a tooth
(or looking for something in there)

Mike measures how much light reflects from the retina.

Dr. Amie Gisbert, OD, examines patient

Dr Natalie Lindsey and Cindy Stevens help a patient who just had surgery

Wednesday 3pm central

I received an email this afternoon from Dr. Javier Morales, a regular at the clinic who also could not be there this week. Javier says to say "hi" to all. He also says "thank you" to all of you who could and did make this week's trip to Guerrero.

It is nice to be part of the Guerrero family - even when we can't physically be there.

Robert...

Wednesday 11am central

Enjoy the pictures from Tuesday night dinner at Cabañas

Dr. Bob and Betty Joe Slider, relaxing after a long day

Tony Sortino
- Day job: Lawyer, Guerrero job: Optical shop

Cindy and Darrell Stevens (first timers) - Still smiling.

Dr. Natalie Lindsey - a veteran of many clinics - also still smiling

Walter Branson - despite turning ## this year, still going strong

Elsa Loboguerrero - From Chihuahua

Sandy Maxwell - a longtime volunteer. Welcome back.
(We missed you. The eggs just weren't the same in the spring)

Rhonda Bean, DDS - another serial volunteer.

Tina Pruett - another smiling regular

Elaine Combs

Welcome Ed and Kay Birdsong

Greg and Barbie Clariday

Suzanne Murdock - Optical

Bobby Pennington - It ain't clean until he says it's clean

Susie Downs

Diana Moore

Shunna Ritter

Dr. Duc Tran

Dr. Tim Planty

Dr. Paul Houghtaling

Dr. Gary Gillham

Marilyn Brodwick - Photographer

Isabelle Schmitt - Welcome back. We missed you.

Rosemary Linowski

Mike Allen

Tuesday 10pm Central

Postings may be out of time sequence. rather than try and insert material where it belongs, I will just insert it as I get it. Consequently, this first posting tonight is from the first day.

We gathered at Houston's Bush Airport like any other choir tour or group
exchange - some arrived early, others just made the plane. My wife, Cindy, and I are "freshmen." We didn't know anyone in the group until we met at the airport. However, we quickly realized that this was an extraordinary group of people. The most intriguing thing to Cindy and me was that so many of the group were returning for their fourth, fifth, or twentieth time.

The flight to Chihuahua and the bus ride to Guerrero were uneventful (except for the late-night raid at Kentucky Fried Chicken). We are staying at an inn in the middle of apple orchards.

Jim Stevens

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Cabañas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Patients come all day long. Here a bus load arrived after a 25
hour bus ride to get to the clinic

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Susie having fun with the police chief

Tractor on the road between the Cabañas and clinic

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dental Patient about to have her wisdom teeth removed

Diana gets every patient ready for surgery

Paul, a 4th year medical student from UTMB is a big help

Open wide for the dentist !!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volunteers work hard

Lunch volunteers provide great meals including the best rice pudding ever !!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The real work began Monday. The first crew (kitchen duty = freshmen)
arrived by 6:15 and began to prepare a pretty awesome breakfast for
the 50 volunteers (if I say so myself).

Dozens of patients were already waiting. The volunteers quickly segregated themselves into dozens of different specific tasks. The Freshman were placed with the experienced workers, and quickly learned the ropes.

On the first day we examined 135 sets of eyes. The surgical teams performed 35 procedures and distributed approximately 100 pairs of
glasses.

The last surgery was completed at 7:30 pm.

We then retired to a wonderful meal, had time for group therapy, and
planned for the days to come.

Tuesday 11:30am central

Here are pictures courtesy of Glennda. Many thanks and keep them coming

The sterilization team - Darrell and Bob
(one of the toughest and most tiring jobs at the clinic)

Barbie ready to roll

Amie at work as a "real" and full fledged optometrist.
Congratulations on graduating and coming back again
(where did you say Laura is this week?)

Dr. Tom Pruett (clinic founder) with Luis. Welcome back. By the way Tom, is it time to wish you a happy birthday?

Patient visit with Optometrist

Walter, Dr Clariday and crew getting ready to start the day

Mike testing a patient's eyes

Breakfast.

Getting ready for breakfast. Setting up the buffet line

Greg and Duc leaving for work

Cabañas - Where the group stays
(if individuals don't choose home hospitality)

Robert

Sunday 11am

Well Gang we leave today!! I get so excited just before we go on our trip. I just wanted to remind everyone of a few things before we leave. Remember that it is colder at night so be sure to bring a heavier coat. Also, please wear your Clinic Blue shirt for Travel (Guerrero Surgery and Education Center). This makes us look better and it helps with Customs.

If you are flying from Houston with the group, we will depart tonight. We will meet at George Bush International Terminal B at 4pm. Let's try to do this on time and as a group. We arrive Sunday evening in Chihuahua City and will drive to the Cabanas where most of the group will stay. We will go to our rooms and get (some) rest as the Breakfast crew - Newbees to the clinic are automatically on this duty so be prepared - will leave for the clinic at 5:55am. The rest will leave for the clinic at 6:55am for the 7am breakfast fit for a King/Queen.

Set up of the clinic and pre-op exams will start at 7:30am. Surgery will start when pre-op patients are ready. Dentistry will start as soon as that area is ready. Refractors will start as soon as the clinic is set up. The routine Tuesday through Friday will be as follows.. Breakfast crew 5:55am - all other team members leave at 6:55am. Breakfast will be served at 7am and the clinic starts promptly at 7:30am. Friday we will finish early, pack up and spend the night in Chihuahua. We will leave early from the Hotel to get everyone to the Airport early Saturday Morning to catch your flights home so that you can share the beautiful stories about the lives we changed for the better....and if this is your first clinic...about how it changed your LIFE.

Remember, if you need to reach me, my cell # is 979-236-1970

See you later today.

Walter

Saturday 10/3

Luis, our clinic administrator, writes that he, Jose and Josie Pablo were not successful in moving the supplies and equipment over the border yesterday. The had a long day dealing with customs and will try again on Sunday. Good luck.

Thursday Night 10/2

The clinic starts in three days. The vans carrying supplies and equipment are on their way from Lake Jackson to Guerrero. They will cross the border tomorrow. Luis is busy organizing the clinic and preparing for the volunteers and patients that will arrive in mass at the clinic doors this weekend.

I checked Chihuahua City's weather at www.wunderground.com (type in Chihuahua, Mexico) and found that it is currently 64 degrees with high humidity. It looks like the temperature will be a bit lower on Sunday and Monday with highs expected to be just above 60. The clinic is located in the mountains about 100 miles west of Chihuahua City (see map on tab labeled "clinic location" on left side of screen). Cuauhtemoc is a town about 40 miles from the clinic. I usually check its weather at the following URL: http://weather.yahoo.com/Cuauhtemoc-Mexico/MXZS2410/forecast.html. The temperature generally feels a bit higher than in the city due to the higher elevation and thinner air. According to the web site, temperatures should be in the high 70's but rain is expected most of the week.

Unfortunately I will not be on site for this clinic and will count on the volunteers to send me pictures and stories daily for me to post on the web.

Safe Travels.

Robert