TODAY news - July 24, 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003 TODAY

School of Allied Health Profession news

Former cancer patient shares story of bone marrow transplant with CLS students

Bone marrow recipient Fernando Castillo (center) has shared his story with clinical laboratory students in the School of Allied Health Professions for 10 years. Kenneth Cantos, MD, chair, department of clinical laboratory science, and Teri Ross, instructor, department of clinical laboratory science, present Mr. Castillo with a plaque to recognize his commitment to the students.

Fernando Castillo is glad to be alive after receiving a bone marrow transplant. And he has a complete stranger to thank.

During an Immunohematology II class session in May, Mr. Castillo shared his story with students in the department of clinical laboratory science (CLS), School of Allied Health Professions. For the past 10 years, he has felt compelled to talk to the students, helping illustrate how their chosen profession has a tangible effect on patients' lives.

Mr. Castillo, of Moreno Valley, was diagnosed with leukemia in 1991, and was told he needed a bone marrow transplant. Although none of his family members matched, a 24-year-old Japanese Dutch woman matched so closely on all six criteria, it was as if he had received it from a family member.

The woman was listed in the National Marrow Donor Program's registry, established in 1987 by the U.S. Congress. Mr. Castillo's doctor contacted the registry to search confidentially for a match.

With a 20 percent chance of survival, Mr. Castillo feels lucky, despite "knick knacks," what he calls the after-effects of a bone marrow transplant. These include pneumonia, dehydration, infection, etc. Mr. Castillo also experienced complications due to a mix-up on his medication.

Through the whole experience, Mr. Castillo valued the support of his family.

"Something like this really involves the whole family," he says. Mr. Castillo's sons donated red blood cells and platelets; his wife became his nurse. "We just kept trusting the Lord. In a way, I'm glad to have gone through this. It gave me time to look at my life."

He also shared that humor and a positive attitude is important when going through the cancer treatment. He carried this into the class session, something the students enjoyed as he made jokes and kept an upbeat attitude about the situation.

"It's amazing that he has come to share his story with us for 10 years," says Teri Ross, instructor, department of clinical laboratory science. "That shows dedication and commitment to helping others."

The Immunohematology II class, taught by Ms. Ross, is the study of blood transfusion medicine. This teaches CLS students to provide the appropriate compatible blood products for patients in need of transfusion.

"We provide the needed blood support to cancer patients and others going through treatment," relates Ms. Ross. "By having Fernando give his personal story, the students see the critical importance of what they are being trained to do."

Mr. Castillo adamantly encourages individuals to become part of the registry. "This is something you can do to give back," he told the CLS students.

"The need is critical for more donors of Asian, Hispanic, African American, and American Indian descent to be available for these patients," says Maggie Wong, coordinator for the marrow donor program at Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.

Many patients still are not able to find a matched donor in the National Marrow Donor Program's registry. By signing up to enter, individuals can give hope to patients who are searching for a blood stem cell donor. For information, please contact Maggie Wong at (909) 386-6850.

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Center for EMS Education and Research coordinates interns from sultanate of Oman

Ehren Ngo, MS, NREMT-P (back row, second from left), program director, emergency medical care program, School of Allied Health Professions, poses for a photo with members of the Oman Police Force (front row, from left) Ahmed Al-Kalbani, Omair Al-Rawahy, Yahya Al-Sawafi, Mohammed Al-Ghammari, (back row, from left) Muaiyid Al-Shanfari, Hameed Al-Rawas, Ali Al-Hadhri, and Abdullah Al-Ismaili.

During June, 2003, the Center for EMS Education and Research (CEMSER) at Loma Linda University's School of Allied Health Professions provided assistance in coordinating local internships in emergency medical dispatching (EMD) for eight individuals from the sultanate of Oman.

"The opportunity to observe first-hand San Bernardino County's diverse geography, demographics, and unique emergency medical dispatching systems provides the Omanis with additional perspective on setting up their own communications center and emergency medical services dispatch system," says Ehren Ngo, MS, NREMT-P, program director of the emergency medical care program, department of cardiopulmonary sciences, School of Allied Health Professions.

The project began in March, 2003, when George Washington University, Washington, D.C., approached CEMSER with a request to assist in placing members of the Royal Oman Police Force in local internships.

The Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicine at George Washington University has extensive involvement in international emergency medical services (EMS) development and consulting, and has been working with the country of Oman to develop a functional EMS system. Despite developed fire and police services, Oman has no EMS system. Individuals who are sick, ill, or injured, and need immediate medical attention must rely on family or public transportation to take them to definitive medical care.

"A large part of a successful EMS system includes the ability to effectively manage and dispatch ambulance resources to medical emergencies and traumatic injuries," relates Mr. Ngo.

The internships included an orientation and observation of all major types of emergency medical dispatching operations in San Bernardino County.

Major internship experiences included the Loma Linda University Medical Center EMS radio room, the American Medical Response Inland Empire dispatch center, and the San Bernardino City Fire Department dispatch center. Additional opportunities were provided through observational tours of the San Bernardino County Communications Center, California Highway Patrol call center (wireless 911), Sheriff's Patrol and Sheriff's Aviation, and Mercy Air Dispatch. The Hospital Association of Southern California and Environmental Systems and Research Institute participated by providing demonstrations of their computer products related to EMS resource management.

Those selected from the Royal Oman Police Force to train in the United States for one year will return with the abilities to set up their own EMS communications center and dispatching system.

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Thursday, July 24, 2003 TODAY