|
Tampa, now accompanies him. The van
usually arrives around 9 a.m. and
stays until 7 or 8 p.m., depending
on whether all patients have been
seen. We are very fortunate to have
a wonderful group of volunteers to
help organize, two dental
hygienists, Bonnie Misiak and
Lorraine Thompson, a small cadre of
dentists, Dr. Alan Levin, Dr. Jeff
Joffe and Dr. MacKenzie, doctors,
consisting of Dr. David Klein, Dr.
Mark Asperilla, Dr. Ali Rias, Dr.
Idewu, a physician’s assistant,
Michael Flores, and nurses, Diane
Martin, Sharon Andreu, Lora
Resignato, Vicki Perez, Maria Cooper
and Cres Ello, and Michael Mossman,
from the Charlotte County Mental
Health Crises Center. Dentist, Dr.
Rosalie Robbins, donated dental
instruments, Dr. Asperilla donates
medications and Leslie Martin
provides transportation to anyone in
need.
Bonnie Cleaning Teeth |
FL Veterans Van
|
Dr. Joffe |
In 2004, even though we missed our
August 13th Health Day due to a
visit by Hurricane Charley, 47
people received dental hygiene, 68
people received a physical exam, one
child received a school physical and
approximately 30 people received
glasses from the Lions Club of
Englewood. Dr. Levin was kind enough
to donate a dental chair to the
Homeless Coalition, but we currently
have no place to use or store it.
Hopefully, an opportunity will
arise.
It
doesn’t look as though we will have
access to the Volunteers of America
Van as much this year, but Dr.
Joseph Goggin, Director of the
Charlotte County Mental Health
Department, has agreed to allow us
to use the Mental Health
Department’s van (formerly the
C.A.R.E. van owned by Bon Secours
Hospital). It doesn’t have space for
the dental chair, but patients will
be able to see a nurse, physician
and physician’s assistance.
If
any physicians, dentists, hygienists
or nurses would like to volunteer
assistance for our Health Days,
please call me at 627-9352. 
Please contact me at
c943x@comcast.net if you
have specific questions.
By Penny Deutsch & Connie Thrasher
Board Members, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition
Connie is also the Director of Income Development
and Public Relations and can be reached at
941-627-4313
Please click here for additional information
or if you would like to contact the
author of this article, Penny Deutsch. Thank you! |
