Seaford Town optical mission October 23 – 26, 2018

Paul Connor, Dr. Tom Kelly and Peggy Johnson conducted an optical mission at Sacred Heart in Seaford Town with the assistance of two local nurses: Sister Jhorna Gomes and Sister Teresila. Accommodations at “the doctors house” on the church property and food prepared by local volunteers were reportedly excellent. The team did 122 eye exams over 2-1/2 days and will return 77 eyeglasses to be made. Paul confirmed the autorefractor is damaged beyond repair and it had to be disposed of (likely the cause is inadequate and erratic electrical power supplied to the property). Going forward, visual acuity testing and the doctor’s retinoscopy equipment will suffice to obtain prescription data for eyeglasses.

Montego Bay inspection and audit

On October 26 Ginny Lazar and I toured the Love in Action Soup Kitchen which is managed by two Korean sisters. Approximately 8 volunteers were preparing packaged hot food for distribution to inner-city homeless and homebound poor in Montego Bay later that afternoon. Ginny toured and inspected the Good Shepherd Medical and Dental clinics and the Cathedral while Jeanne Stamant was conducting the Montego Bay audit. Earlier that day Bishop Burchell was part of the soup kitchen team preparing beef with gravy, corn, rice and vegetables. We were very impressed by the dedication of volunteers and organization of the soup kitchen and clinics; both very deserving of JOP’s funding.

​Team members included: Dr Dwight Avery, Dr Alanna Edwards, Paul Connor, Ashaunda Edwards, Amy Kuzma, Ginny Lazar, Helen Fusco and Jeanne Stamant.  Support from St Pius X for mission services included Vivienne Bradford, Novalee Mumby, Boxer McEwan and registration staff Beverly Peart, Marie Mattai and Rosemarie Warren. JOP is indebted to all team members for their tireless efforts to bring vision care to the poor, who would otherwise go without.  Many thanks and blessings from grateful patients were heard as well.

In 3 full clinic days we saw 209 patients: 181 people for general eye exams plus 28 cataract surgery follow ups. We will be making 171 prescription eyeglasses and there were another 42 jobs that were either repairs from walk-in patients or single vision glasses made and delivered on-site by Paul.

Two cataract patients were referred to Dr McIntosh in Jamaica.

We developed a list of 26 new patients needing cataract surgery. There were also other special needs that were diagnosed including one pseudo-opkeia, 3 pterygiums, 6 retina issues, 3 Yag laser needs and 1 proliferative diabetic retinopathy. We also dispensed medications for glaucoma to approximately 18 patients. In addition about 90 patients received “Tears”/drops for dry eyes.

To: Board of Directors and interested parties
From: Roger Plante
Re: August 30 mission to Seaford Town Mission Compound
September 12, 2018
“RAVING REVIEWS” I guess is the best way I can describe this mission.

A team of six dental professionals participated in this three day mission and God’s Speed was definitely with them.   All came away from the mission with LOVE and GRATITUDE as expressed in their comments.

Dr. Jaih Jackson, Tampa, FL (repeat)
Julie Angad, Tampa, FL Dr. Jaih’s assistant
Trina Graham, Tega Cay, S. C., Hygienist, (repeat)
Margaret Conrad, Sautee, GA, Hygienist
Maria Maldonad, Coconut Creek, FL., Hygienist
Destany Scates, Tampa, FL, Hygienist
The Jamaican Ground Crew consisting of Father
Luke, Sister Theresila, Boxer and other
parishioners at Sacred Heart completed the team.

Of worthy mention is the fact that these missionaries in addition to giving of their time, energy and financial resources, organized ahead of time to collect and bring in thousands of dollars worth of goods for the clinic and for the poor and for that Father Luke extends his huge amount of appreciation.

Great innovations at the mission included an additional dental station paid for in memory of Trudy Howell, deceased mother of Dr. Elizabeth Love, two additional Cavitron units donated by these missionaries, air conditioning in the clinic and in the Doctor’s House.

Sister Theresila reported that Dr. Jaih performed 54 extractions and installed 14 fillings and the Hygienists performed 76 complete cleanings and in addition dozens of other patients were seen and treated for various conditions.

Unfortunately the new X-Ray equipment was not performing for the team, but hopefully it will be in better order for the next mission.

Sad to say, but this is my last mission organization with Jamaica Outreach and the future of the mission movement will be highly dependent on someone coming forth to do some organization.

I have enjoyed the last 11 years doing this job and I can say it has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling achievements of my lifetime. I strongly urge anyone who wants to give a little to come forward and participate in any level in this mission movement.   Anyone interested in giving some time and LOVE to contact me.

In the meantime, I am keeping a list of those wanting to participate in future missions and will keep my mailing list going until the next volunteer comes forward.

Here are some of the comments from this fine group of missionaries:

“The entire experience was absolutely amazing”

“The accommodations were much better than expected”

“Father could not do enough for us”

“Boxer is one amazing guy-entertainer-go-for-Helper”

“All in all, I am beyond grateful and honored I got to be a part of this mission and hope to be able to serve in many many more.!”

“Almost all older adults were periodontally involved and our attempt to educate them were a challenge, but we did get through with the idea that continued care is necessary.”

“The Air conditioning in the clinic and the doctor’s house was a great addition.”   “Our team was extremely devoted, we enjoyed our time together, lots of laughter and with a true passion to serve…..working as a tem…I truly want to return.”

“What a blessing to work with such wonderful people and for such amazing patients…Fr. Luke & Sister T made us feel right at home”

“Even when the power went out on Saturday  the team continued working manually as if nothing had happened.”

“And Jenny’s home cooking was wonderful”

Pass the word along that Jamaica Outreach Program is doing God’s work one little one at a time.

REPORT TO:     BOARD OF DIRECTORS & other interested parties
JAMAICA OUTREACH PROGRAM
Re: Mission to St. Pius—Kingston, Jamaica April 23-24-25
From: Roger Plante

This mission was completed on schedule as planned and the missionaries came from various parts of the US to care for patients at the Van Domelen clinic and for the children at St. Peter Claver School.   In addition to working in the clinic and school program, many members of the team visited White Wing Village and were moved by the level of poverty.   They also visited the Mustard Seed facility and observed great care to the residents from their providers. 

As is so often the case with mission work, all was not perfect….and thanks to the experienced, versatile and dedicated missionaries, the issues were surmounted and dealt with.

The team worked long hours, especially on Monday and Tuesday, but they persisted.

This fine team of dental folks included veteran mission team leader Michele LaBasi, RDH from Ohio assisted by the following:
Dr. Kim Burford, Dixon, CA (returning)
Dr. Illeana Ramundo-Townsend, Pembroke Pines, FL (returning)
Mary Rebman, RDH Mt. Sterling, IL
Brittany Collinsworth, RDH Nashville, TN
Felicia Williams, RDH, Atlanta, GA
Ann Weierback, RDH, Denver, CO
Karen Decristofaro, Dental Assistant, Boston, MA (returning)
Sherilyn Glanville, Dental Assistant, Atlanta, GA
Minah Theophilus, Dental Assistant, Fairfield, CA
Zuleika Sanchez, Dental Assistant, San Francisco, CA

We were additionally blessed at this mission to have two students from the College of Oral Health Sciences at the University of Technology, in Kingston participating. Both are near graduation and brought with them hundreds of hours of clinical experience, and they were a tremendous help to the team. This is a relationship I have been working on for quite some time and hopefully something can be developed in the future to foster our mission movement.   The two students are: Ruth-Anne Leveridge and Ajani Blake. We thank them wholeheartedly for their devotion and wish them well with their careers. Hopefully they will return in the not too distant future.

In total, 23 class groups were seen at the St. Peter Claver School.    Anne Weierback, RDH led the team on the first day and Mary Rebman, RDH, Brittani Collinsworth, RDH, Felicia Williams, RDH and Sherilyn Glanville, DA rotated through the three days to educate, screen, and provide a fluoride varnish treatment to 731 children.   All students were given oral health education, received a treatment of fluoride varnish, were examined for dental deficiencies, and handed a “goodie-bag” with tooth brush, paste, floss and a toy.

At the clinic, 119 patients were seen which involved the following number of procedures:
dental hygiene treatments – 57,
sealants – 6,
fillings – 32,
extractions – 39

The numbers are low in comparison to prior missions due to the problems with power coming in to the X-Ray equipment and an overheating problem with some of the equipment….both of which need to be corrected.    As a consequence, some patients needed to be turned away in spite of the additional hours of work provided by the dedicated missionaries.

Michele commented: I’m very proud of the team and how they worked hard to provide the best treatment possible for a population who otherwise would not have had the access or means to receive dental care. They demonstrated flexibility and a spirit of cooperation under tough circumstances. I applaud them for their sacrifice and willingness to serve.

POST MISSION VISIT

Three of our missionaries (Mary, Brittani and Anne) had the opportunity to visit the Hope Clinic in Montego Bay. They were also able to mingle with locals through the generosity of Deacon Baldwin Powell and the staff of the clinic.

Comments received from missionaries:

 All the patients were VERY thankful we came and I had a few tell me stories of how they have really learned to take care of their oral health better. One lady used to have severe bleeding gums and bone loss. She was able to save her teeth through the efforts of the clinic and her being compliant with home care.

 Some people would wait several hours to be seen but they stayed because they knew there wasn’t another option. I’m thankful we were able to provide wonderful services. Many of the patients were also attending for the first time.

 I love being able to work with the local dental students. They were a great resource to connect the patients to a place that could provide care for a cheaper rate.

Link to PDF

Report   to:  Board of Directors, Jamaica Outreach Program

 From:  Roger Plante

 Re:  February 22-23-24, 2018 mission to Sacred Heart Mission, Seaford Town, JA

 March 8, 2018

 This report is all about the fourth mission we conduct to Seaford Town and as a result of the hard-working and devoted missionaries, more than 300   patients were treated to a good dose of tender loving care.

 This mission team consisted of:  (R indicates returning missionary)
 

Dr. Mary MacKay, Lubec, Me, dentist (R)

Raysa Hache, Miami, ER Physician(R)

Dr. Philip Baier, Estero, FL. Optometrist (R)

Nancy Curti, LPN, Naples, FL

Shelica Anastari, Med Student, B. Raton, FL (R)

Veronica Mills, expanded RDH, Antioch, TN

Ashley Richardson, RDH, Antioch, TN

Paulette Johnson, Dental Asst., Ft Laud., FL (R)

Paul Curti, Trained Optical Assistant.

he team worked very long hours in the unusually hot weather to spread God’s love to those in need.

The following results were achieved:

Medical:   99 Patients seen   over ¼ of them for Blood Pressure issues and over 10 % for Blood Sugar situations.   Many children were seen for various infectious conditions and there were many patients treated for skin issues, chest pain, various respiratory problems and infections.   Unfortunately, the order of supplies we had placed with our supplier in Jamaica was only partially filled and delivered at last minute.  It was very frustrating not having all the proper meds to treat so many who came in seeking our help.   This is an on-going problem which will need to be addressed.

Optical:  Dr. Phil saw 148 patients 69   pairs of prescription eye glasses were fitted and are on their way to Paul Connor in Ohio to be fabricated.   Additionally, readers were given out to dozens of patients from our existing supply.   Many patients were diagnosed with cataract situations, glaucoma and other serious optical situations. Which unfortunately we are not equipped to treat at that location

Dental: Our returning dentist Dr. Mary was very busy working with our portable dental equipment and she along with her assistant Paulette performed 35 extractions and 14 fillings plus many other treatments…..some patients had to be turned away due to the lack of a working X-Ray facility which we hope to have operative in time for the next mission, but mostly for lack of time in the day to take care of them.  Our two RDH, sharing one chair were able to perform cleanings for 52 patients.

Purchase and installation of a third and permanent dental station had been approved by the board, but that has been put on hold until several scenarios play themselves out.   This would be (in addition to the two “souped up” portable units we are now using.  This would allow us to have two dentists working at one time in an effort to make a more significant dent in the huge dental issues that exist at Seaford Town.

One missionary posted on Facebook:  We had a great team this trip and made amazing things happen….These people are very poor and they try to make a living by selling things they have made. Many live the Rastafarian lifestyle and I have learned a lot about the culture this week…….It literally broke my heart to turn patients away that wanted to get their teeth cleaned, we ran out of time and could’ve stayed there for weeks!        ………..Not only did the people appreciate us being there providing vision, dental and medical care and giving so much love to them. This was just as much for me as it was for them.

At present, we have a mission organized for St. Pius in Kingston for April 23-24-25 led by veteran mission leader Michele LaBasi (RDH from Akron Ohio).  They will treat the students at St. Peter Claver School plus a full roster of patient appointments at the VanDomelen Clinic.   Further, we had a dental team of 5 dental persons organized for June 21-22-23. 2018 for Seaford Town, however that has to be put on “hold” as Father Luke will be away at that time.   Hopefully this can be rescheduled.  When we reorganize that group, it would be nice to have some medical folks to join them.

Link to PDF

Report to:  Board of Directors & other interested parties

RE:  February 5, 6, 7, 2018 mission to St. Pius mission campus, Kingston JA.

From: Roger Plante

Date 3/7/18

First of all, sorry for the delay……..have had a mission to Seaford Town last week and planning another to Kingston in April…..all coupled with a fund raising concert next week.

This mission was comprised of 9 U.S. Air Force volunteers and one from the navy.

The participants were:

Caroline Bunce, Team leader, RDH, Charleston, SC.

Dr. Jeffrey Yee         Dentist, Charleston, SC

Dr. Iti   Agarwal  (Yee) Dentist, Charleston, SC

Latasha Turner   RDH         Miami, FL

Angelica Chica        RDH Miami, FL

Patrick Miller, RDH, Charleston, SC

Kayla Ferguson, Assistant, Summerville, SC

Kathy Dietrich,          Assistant, Charleston, SC

Onise Civil    Assistant, Dover, DE

Robert Donnelly, Assistant, (US Navy)   Charleston, SC

The VanDomelen Clinic was host to this wonderful group of military personnel on February 5, 6 & 7, 2018.

The team worked very hard often into the wee evening hours to get the job done and they conducted a fabulous mission in spite of a few equipment slowdowns and other obstacles they dealt with

Following is a total of their numeric accomplishments:

Clinic              Extractions    Fillings           Cleanings     DuPont School
 

150+               58                    30                    79                    1,330

Per team leader Caroline’s comments

“I have to brag that each member of the team was enthusiastic, patient focused and a team player.”

The St. Pius ground crew consisting of Marie, Boxer and Rosemarie were so helpful and per Caroline, their attitudes made it so pleasant to work with them.   The balance of the St. Pius team, Deacon Vivian, Miss Vivienne Bradford were again a tremendous help to the missionaries.

The idea of having Marie as the liaison to St. Pius (with her daughter’s help) was an excellent one and I understand she rolled up her sleeves and participated in the daily operations as did Boxer in his usual manner.   Caroline’s comments about Marie read: “do not let Marie or her daughter leave your program”

Team member Patrick Miller, Hygienist who worked much of the time with the children at the DuPont School commented:

“The work and services we provided gave me a sense of pride, yet humble at the same time…..Seeing the living and housing conditions  definitely helped provide a perspective on how important these missions are and the great impact they have  the children of the school and community.” “(The mission)”

At present, we are doing the final organization of our April 23-24 and 25 mission to Kingston and that team led by veteran mission Team Leader Michele LaBasi is complete.

We have a team of dental volunteers working on a June mission to Seaford Town and would welcome medical personnel to join them.

Link to PDF

Jeanne’s report on St Pius X Optical mission Oct 31 to Nov 5, 2017

192 eye exams were administered

163 pairs of eyeglasses have been, or will be, made (22 were made on-site).

22 cataract patients are ready for surgery and many others were diagnosed to be ready in 1 to 2 years. List sent to Dr Zimm.

Our team of Peggy Johnson (KY), Paul Connor (OH), Jeanne Stamant (FL), Dr. Tom Kelly (OH) and Amy Kuzma (OH) are seasoned repeat missionaries and the work flowed smoothly. St. Pius’ Novalee, Tanicia, Peta Gaye, Marie, Jodi & Boxer were outstanding additions to our team. Novalee is an action-oriented secretary and we were well served by her speedy and knowledgeable service. It was a nice touch for Mrs. Veta Lawson (St. Pius X Pastoral Team) to check on us daily and for Miss Bradford’s regular presence and upbeat disposition.

We should continue to bring sunglasses and give them away for free.

Glaucoma meds were limited initially, until Saturday, when Dr. Lee Martin delivered glaucoma meds that JOP had ordered as part of recent medicine grants. Next time we need to look for those before the optical clinic opens.

We could use more plastic frames especially those big enough for bifocals. There is an abundance of metal frames stored in the clinic closet. We can use more higher power reading glasses.

Link to PDF

Report to:  Board of Directors, Sept. missionaries, Past and Future missionaries

From:  Roger Plante

Re:  September 2017 mission to St. Pius compound, Kingston, JA

Date:  October 23, 2017

This mission took place as planned on September 25-26-27. 2017 and the U. S. missionaries were accompanied for the first time by three Jamaican dentists who so generously gave of their valuable time and energy.

The staff consisted of:

Team leader, Regina Johnson, Expanded Dent. Asst. from Cookeville, TN (3 rd time missionary)

Dr. Sarah, Tibby, Kingston, JA

Dr. Nigel Byles, Kingston, JA

Dr. K    Gilpin, Kingston, JA

Paula Cope, RDH, Nashville, TN

Daniela Yanez, RDH, Boynton Bch, FL

Judith Vasquez, RDH, Norwalk, CT

Tongni Clumson-Eklu, RDH, Stratford, CT

Gardenia Morales, Dent. Asst., Cookeville, TN

Karen Dicristaforo, Dent. Asst., Boston, MA

Kerline Baronville, Dent. Asst., Boynton Bch., FL

Katherine Comeau, US Ph. D. student, helping hand

Our Missionary Daniela Yanez works with Dr. Sarah Tibby’s sister in Florida and she made the connection for us to be so blessed with these three guest dentists, residents of Kingston.  Hopefully, this is a relationship which will develop and prosper over time.

Much of the attention of this mission was to conduct oral education, apply fluoride varnish and do oral exams on half of the student body at the DuPont School and that goal was surpassed.

Statistics for this mission are as follows:  (there was no dentist on duty on Monday, one on Tuesday and two on Wednesday)

Students           Extractions    Fillings   Cleanings    Pts @ clinic

Monday 9/25/17       320                0                      2                    43                  45

Tuesday 9/26/27      318                34                      6                    34                  70

Wed. 9/27/17           327                38                      13                  40                  95

Totals                     965               72                   21             117                210

A huge THANK YOU goes out to these missionaries for working tirelessly, long days, sometimes with lots of pressure……and yet, Regina tells me “no one complained” The team just kept going like a Timex Watch.   I am told that Tongni Clumson, RDH from CT did a great job heading up the school outreach team which was responsible for seeing and processing 965 students in a three day period.   A shout out also to Marie, St. Pius parishioner without who’s help, this could not have been accomplished. Our movement to involve the Jamaican residents in our mission program seems to be working and for that we are ever grateful.   Hopefully that will continue to grow.

JOP continues it’s commitment to St. Pius Parish and the surrounding neighborhood where so many poor people do not otherwise have access to the dental services we offer.  Additionally, JOP continues to reinforce it’s commitment to the Student body at the DuPont School on the grounds of the St. Pius compound.

This was Regina’s third mission to the Kingston campus and she acknowledged with gratitude our devoted friends Rosemarie Warren, Boxer and Paul who were on hand from start to finish of this mission.   Thanks also to Miss Vivienne Bradford for all of her organizational skills and to Deacon Vivian Blair for visiting the mission team and giving them a warm St. Pius welcome.

At present, we have a full Air Force team led by returning missionary Caroline Bunce, RDH, coming to St. Pius in February 5,6, and 7, 2018 and we are organizing a team to be led by five time returning missionary Michele LaBasi for late April also in Kingston.   We have two doctors for that mission and could use 1 more plus a few hygienists and assistants.    Several have expressed interest and I am working on putting that together.

Link to PDF

To Board of Directors & other interested parties
From: Roger Plante
Re: July 27-28-29 mission to Sacred Heart, Seaford Town
Date: August 6, 2017

This mission consisted of a dental team and a medical team as there were no volunteers to do the optical part.

As usual, Father Luke and Sister Jhorna were extremely hospitable to the missionaries and they participated in the mission activities from morning to night from the team‘s arrival at the airport until they departed Sunday morning.

The team members included:

Team leader Essy Mbrini, RDH, Toronto Canada (2^nd mission)

MEDICAL:

Dr. Raysa Hache, Miami, (3^rd mission)
Allecia Lawrence-Leiba, Nurse Practitioner, Miami, FL
Linda Dosing, R.N., Naples, FL
Shelica Anastaari, Med student…(2^nd mission) Tampa, FL

DENTAL:

Waji Khan, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Alla Allan, Assistant, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Alwyn Leiba, RDH, Ph. D., Miami, FL

Boxer our friend from Kingston joined the team for his 3rd trip to Sacred Heart and was the all-around “go-for” plus he now has been trained to perform all the sterilizing for both teams.

For the first time, our team traveled to Jamaica with pre-natal and children’s Vitamins in their luggage.  Hopefully, this will be the start of a program to provide vitamins to a population who never had access to them.   If this pilot program goes off well, this could possibly become a part of our fundraising activities in the future.

In all, the teams saw a total of 243 patients—all from impoverished families and all in direr need of our help.

Temperatures and humidity rose to very uncomfortable levels, but the entire team worked through it like real troopers. Unfortunately, THERE IS NO AIR CONDITIONING at the Sacred Heart Mission.

Statistics for this mission are as follows: Total Patients seen: 243 and many of these patients received multiple treatments.

Link to full report.

May 2017 Dental Mission

To:  Board Members and interested parties

From:  Roger Plante

Re:  St. Pius X Dental mission May 15-16-17, 2017

I am very pleased to report that our May 2017 mission (our 28th dental mission) took place as scheduled and our missionaries were able to take care of many patients in spite of the bad weather they had to deal with.

Michele LaBasi, our veteran Hygienist/mission leader was in charge the group and did a superb job.     The team consisted of:

Michele LaBasi, Akron OH, RDH & Team Leader (returning)
Dr. Ileana Townsend, Miami, (returning)
Dr. Olga Ivasheva, Travis AFB, CA
Rebecca Davis, RDH, Travis, AFB, CA (returning)
Marilyn Lynn Bergman, RDH, Travis AFB, CA
Connie Simmons, RDH, VA
Jennifer Jaku, RDH,  Milwaukee, WI
Sarah Friend, RDH, Tallahassee, FL
Jaleesa Minor, USAF, Boston, MA,   Dent Asst., (returning)
Kathryn Happe, USAF, Dental Asst, CA
Froylan Beccerra Alvarez, Dental Asst, Trav is AFB, CA

Deacon Vivian paid the team a visit upon their arrival as did Vivienne Bradford.   Rosemarie Warren and Boxer were on hand for the balance of this mission.

Unfortunately, there was a serious rain storm and the DuPont School as well as most businesses in the area were closed for one of the days which hampered the operation of the staff and the flow of patients.   This mission involved an outreach to the Peter Claver School which was meant to complete the annual round of fluoride treating all of the students there, but we fell short and will need to play catchup.
The mission was not without it’ ups and downs as because of the rain day, the other two days brought in a  deluged  patients who had missed appointments……all of which meant the missionaries worked tirelessly and endlessly to keep up with the patient demand on those other two days.   They are to be commended for their very special service.

As usual, Immaculate Conception Hostel served well in providing housing for the missionaries.

Link to full report.