El Salvador Mission
One love,
One blood,
One life, you've got to do what you should
One life,
With each other
Sisters, brothers
One life, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other
Carry each other
One

. . . . . . . U2 (Irish minstrels)

A brigade of 13 volunteers will serve in San Pedro Perulapan, El Salvador, from April 20th through the 29th, 2002.  The names and specialties of those participating are shown in the table below:

 
Name Specialty Region
Kalpna Thuraisamy, DO Internist Ketchikan
Julie Iverson, MD OB/GYN Bellingham
Gina Chastain, NP OB/GYN Bellingham
David Lynch MD Family Practice Bellingham
Tisch Lynch, RN Parish Nurse Coordinator Bellingham
Ken Henderson Optometrist Bellingham
Jodi Pilkey Optician Bellingham
Mie Curtis Optician Bellingham
Rosario (Charo) Sanchez Maternal-Child Unit, Translator Bellingham
Jennifer Pflug MD Internist Longview
Lauren Herbert MD Pediatrician Eugene
Elizabeth Gonzalez Ultra-sound Technician, Translator Ketchikan
Glen Campbell Web Services (huh?) Eugene/Corporate

As we prepare for our journey, I find myself contemplating the reasons why -- what drives people to become involved in such an endeavor?  What hopes or expectations do they bring along?  How will those compare with their actual experience?

And what the heck is a Web Services person doing in the midst of these talented clinical professionals?!  (editorial note:  I'm joining the brigade in April, not as a clinician, but as a 'roving reporter', to take pictures, record events, and report back to PeaceHealth on the activities of this brigade).

I put together a brief questionnaire for those volunteering as part of this brigade, and I thought it best to let their words speak for themselves:
The mission and key values of PeaceHealth are the same ones that guide my work as a family physician. This is a unique way of living out those values in a new environment, with people who I expect have much to teach us.

-- David Lynch, MD

 

 

 I have always been interested in bringing medical care to those in most need of it with limited resources. My travels to India and Sri Lanka (my parents grew up in small villages in Sri Lanka that we visited growing up) have prepared me for the lifestyle that we will have in El Salvador.  Every new experience brings learning and understanding on so many levels. Healthcare needs are universal, how they are administered are not.

-- Kalpna Thuraisamy, DO
I hope the time there will reinforce some of the ideals that prompted me to go into medicine in the first place.  My children, Forrest and Maia, will also be coming. They will prepare art supplies and activities to share with Salvadoran children.

-- Lauren Herbert MD

 
I am married to David Lynch, MD, who is also part of the brigade.  My husband and I have always wanted to do mission work and now that our daughters are adults, the time seems right. Plus, I love Sister Eleanor and am anxious to help in any way I can.  I also look forward to working with the people. Those who are survivors, have a special strength and spirit.  I think anytime you do this kind of service you are changed. I imagine I will be more aware of needs and perhaps look at the role of Parish Nurses as they relate to world needs. I plan to write and share my experience with my 58 Parish Nurses.

-- Tisch Lynch, Parish Nurse Coordinator

 
On Sept 11, we were in [Washington] DC and I realized that the US is a challenging place to raise children with a social conscience and knowledge about how the rest of the world lives.  I am bringing my daughter along to see what is "normal every day living" for a good part of the world.  I hope it will be a reminder to be grateful for all we have in this country and the ability to practice medicine only hampered by insurance companies...

-- Julie Iverson MD

 

Reflecting personally, to be honest, I don't know why I'm going.  I was humbled to have been asked by Sr. Eleanor and Sr. Sheila, but other than wanting to please them, I'm not sure what is driving me to go.  And I've been remarkably "OK" with that.  I think life, the PeaceHealth mission, and each of our own individual spiritual journeys are full of mystery -- truly, things that can't be defined.  As I reflect on the past year I've had here at PeaceHealth, I'm reminded that life is short and precious--brought home by the loss of a co-worker and friend.  Perhaps I'm realizing, as the song says, that we have ". . one life, you've got to do what you should".  Maybe this is one way of doing what I should, giving something back.  Honoring the memory of a friend.  And helping Sr. Eleanor in her quest to ". . . carry each other"  -- I think she's carried quite enough, it's time for someone to help out.

So as we embark on our journey, I wanted to extend a word of gratitude on behalf of all the volunteers for the words of support we have received in the past several weeks.  As our colleagues and co-workers pick up the slack in our absence, please know your help & support do not go unnoticed.  And a special thank you to those from the Healthcare Improvement Division and elsewhere that contributed to the 'make-it-up-as-you-go-along' toy drive I organized (using that term lightly!).  I'm very much looking forward to handing out my 140 pounds of toys to the children of El Salvador.

I can't close this page without another special thank you to Kathy Garcia, the state-side coordinator of the El Salvador mission, for her assistance, patience, and friendship extended to all of the volunteers.

For those reading, please say a special prayer to Saint Windy, the patron saint of overcast skies and low humidity!  Stay tuned, we'll report on our activities sometime in May once we return and collect our thoughts. . . . . . . . -- Glen Campbell.