| Dentalgram |
April 2002
|
Service learning-spring break activities
By, Florence Wetmore
Spring Break found nine faculty along with
29 dental and dental hygiene students volunteering their time and skills
on four mission trips outside the United States.
Quito, Ecuador: Two faculty members—Ron Fritz (SACHS Norton
Clinic) and Gerardo Toledo (Restorative), led a team of eight students
to Quito, Ecuador. Jessica Buenjemia, Allen Job, Kenneth Lam, Maggie Lam,
Kirk Larson, Heather Lauer, Andrea Lewis, Marlon Peter, and Linda Valleni
cared for dental needs at an orphanage and an elementary school.
Christianville, Haiti: Drs. Ron Forde, director, service learning
and Dan Duroseau, Restorative, joined dental students under the direction
of the Christianville Foundation, a ministry established in Haiti in 1978.
It is located 18 miles from Port au Prince on 40 acres of farmland where
a school was built, followed very soon by a medical clinic, a dental clinic,
and an eye clinic. A modern, clean guest house accommodates volunteers
who use their talents to bring humanitarian assistance and Christian education
to those who have not been able to receive these services. Student participants
this year were Christina Do, Edmund Guo, Rakiya Jones, Youngjoo Kim, Ji
Sang Kim, Jacob Lee, and Michael and Andrea Stafford.
Loreto, Mexico: Dr. Mario Flores, Perio, and Letty Lenoir, RDH,
dental hygiene, along with dental and dental hygiene students, joined
Dr. and Mrs. Larry Day, oral surgery, and Ron Payne, a physical therapist,
to work in a small dental clinic established by Dr. Day approximately
seven years ago. This clinic has provided much-needed dental care over
the years, and we hope to make this a regular service learning mission
site. The students included: Dyanna Denny, Sandra Garcia, Julie Gray,
and Betty Jimenez from the dental hygiene program, and Hea Kwon, Chad
Ordelheide, Gary Pundt, and Hai Trang from among the dental students.
Francia Sirpi, Nicaragua: Dr. Gadia Peabody, oral surgery, and
Dr Robert Apuy, father of Heidi Apuy, led five dental students on a SIMS-sponsored
mission trip to a mobile dental clinic serving six villages near Puerto
Cabezas. While the dental team was at work, other teams hold classes in
health and hygiene for waiting patients—also nutrition, Bible study,
home gardening, and sewing. The Adventist medical director for Nicaragua,
Dr. Mariano Caseres, a pediatrician, joined the dental team this year.
Students include Roger Anderson, Heidi Apuy, Kevin Biederman, Seth Latimer
and Bradley Szutz.
We are proud to have our School represented by such a willing and enthusiastic
group of students and faculty. Watch for reports on the results of their
ministry in coming issues.
.
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