While Team Thompson consists mostly of returning volunteers, we are lucky to be joined by first-time practitioners who bring a new energy and enthusiasm to our clinic. Four of those share their thoughts and impressions on this first day of our week-long clinic.
Gilbert Cheu – Pharmacist
Like many team members, Gilbert heard about Faith in Practice medical missions from his longtime friends and former colleagues Scott Sinnott & Irina DeFischer, who are on their 4th and 5th mission with Team Thompson respectively. Gilbert brings 40 years of experience to our Pharmacy department and said that the pharmacy aspect of the role here in Guatemala is straightforward for him. He’s also enjoying the challenge that day one of implementing the new Insight software is bringing to him. A few hours into the first day of our clinic, Gilbert acknowledged that he’s sure that this week of serving with FIP will give him a great sense of satisfaction.
Aislinn Ozawa Burns – Registered Nurse in Laboratory
Aislinn is a brand-new Nursing graduate and daughter of one of our team Pediatricians, Carol Ozawa. She’s currently working in an Acute Psychology Department in Los Angeles, but her job this week in Guatemala is in our team Laboratory. There Aislinn is doing blood draws, EKGs, hemoglobin tests, blood pressure readings and pregnancy tests. She said she’s incredibly happy to be here and feels that the patients she’s seen are so appreciative of the services that we bring to them. FIP is becoming an Ozawa family affair, as Aislinn’s brother volunteered as a team blogger on an FIP trip earlier this year.
Heather Dieperink Optholt – ER Doctor in General Medicine
Chicago-based ER Doctor Heather is a longtime friend of fellow ER Doctor Stephanie Barlin, who is on her 4th mission with Team Thompson. Heather has been feeling the need to immerse herself in this type of volunteer environment, she wanted to try a new adventure, and take a break from ER medicine in the US. Her first impression is that everyone is so open and happy to be working here and the team works well together. Heather’s patients today mostly had minor complaints which can be readily addressed within the clinic environment and a few patients with more serious concerns, but every patient had so much gratitude for the care they were given.
Liz Junge – Sonographer in Ultrasound Lab
Another recruit from Stephanie Barlin, is Liz Junge who is running our Ultrasound Lab this week, and works with Dr. Barlin at Kaiser Hospital, Santa Rosa, CA. Stephanie told Liz that volunteering with FIP was “the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life.” After hearing that, Liz thought “sign me up; that sounds great!” She, of course, did some more research and realized what a great opportunity she would have to use her skills here in Guatemala. Some of her exams today were similar to what she would do in her hospital ultrasound lab back in the US, and even though the lab setup here at the clinic is temporary, it feels very efficient and productive.
The strength of Team Thompson is grounded in the volunteers who return year after year but is energized by the enthusiasm and knowledge of our first-year team members. Working together is both productive and also fun.
-Ruth Lacey
