St. Mark’s Episcopal Honduras Medical Mission

St. Mark’s Episcopal St. Mark’s Episcopal Honduras Medical MissionHonduras Medical Mission

““To share God’s healing message To share God’s healing message of love and forgiveness through the of love and forgiveness through the

ministry of medicine”ministry of medicine”Presented by:

Frances Mallow, Ph.D.

W. Brad McGonagle, Ph.D.

Corinto


Started in 1992 in Bay City, Texas by James Humphries, DDS.15 people on first team to go to Honduras Initial budget of less than $5,000Today:

–Largest team to go was last year, 52 people from all over the United States–Budget over $100,000

–Over 12,500 lives touched through the Ministry of

Medicine

The Humphrie Family


10 years of medical ministry to the people of Honduras with 9 years exclusively in the village of Corinto

Over 12,500 men, women and children treated Over 30,000 prescriptions filled Over 3,000 teeth filled, extracted or cleaned. Over 4,300 dogs, cats, horses and mules vaccinated against

rabies and tetanus (no gorillas) Over 300 pairs of glasses distributed Over 50,000 hours volunteered by team members


Contributors to 2002 Mission– Diocese of Texas missions: $23,232– Episcopal Med. Mission Found.: $5,000

– Bay City Lions Club $500– Galveston Morning Kiwanis

$500– St. Mark's Episcopal Church Bay City

(fundraising) $5,000

– Personal Donations $3,073– Trull Foundation, Palacios, Tx $5,000– Rotary International $3,500


The Preparation– Quarterly planning

meetings held to evaluate previous mission and establish goals for next mission

– Registration begins immediately

– Meds and Supplies are packed and sipped via container in April/May.


The Financing Fun-raisers

– Fajita Dinner

– Sausage Suppers

Grants– Diocese of Texas

Donations– Money

– Medical Supplies

– Give-always/School Supplies


The Leadership Sam Maglitto

– “The Godfather”– Retired school principal

– Registration, Travel, Fundraisers

Taffy Atkinson– “Mamasita”– Elementary school teacher

– Trip director, Grant writer, World Board Representative


The Trip to Honduras Advance Team/Mission Team

– 8-10 people

– Arrive 3 days in advance

– In-country preparation for mission Advance team duties

– Meet with Diocese representative

– Acquire additional medicines

– Purchase food supplies

– Acquire container at port Mission team duties

– Have fun upon arrival


Episcopal Diocese of Honduras

Coordinates practitioner paperwork, transportation, food supplies, general administration

Fees paid to the Diocese go towards providing the aforementioned services

Very friendly and resourceful in support of our mission


The Trip to Corinto Approximately 100

kilometers from San Pedro Sula.

4 hour bus ride through Porte Cortez into the mountains.

Lunch break at resort in Porte Cortez


The Village of Corinto Located on the

Honduras/Guatemalan border Estimated population is unknown. No formal infrastructure,

government, town leadership Limited fresh water Episcopal Church, Pentecostal

Church and Catholic Church largest organized presence in village.


The Clinic Approximately 250 patients per

day run under Managed Care type-system.

Number/Token system used for admission

Patients are registered, vitals taken then triaged

Vitamins, toothbrushes and general hygiene lessons are provided during wait to see physicians, dentists, optometrists

Severe cases are referred to the community hospital in Porte Cortez or Mercy Ship for eye surgery.


The Pharmacy Scripts are filled according to

managed care sheet provided each family.

Computer link from clinic to pharmacy expedites process

Family history and past prescriptions are maintained in the database

Families are given monthly supplies of available meds

Most meds are purchased by the medical mission with some vitamins and over-the-counter meds donated

Staffed by 3-5 people with one Pharmacist.


The Dental Station Two dental stations staffed by

dentist, assistant and interpreter Emphasis is on extractions due

to time constraints but fillings have become more prevalent in recent years.

Instruments are sterilized according to proper procedures

Medical mission purchases dental equipment and meds


The Eye Clinic Refractions are performed with

the use of a Retinoscopy to determine lenses prescription.

Glasses are then dispensed based on the prescription.

Glasses are donated by the Lion’s Club and Rotary

Patients are also screened for cataracts and other eye diseases for surgery on the Mercy Ship Caribbean.


The Vet Team Consists of 3 Veterinarians divided

into 2 teams with 2 support people. One team remains in Corinto while

other team provides vet clinic in surrounding villages.

Primary emphasis is on rabies, tetanus vaccinations, worming/parasite control, tick and flee control

Some minor surgeries are performed. Meds are donated by Pfizer and Fort

Dodge Pharmaceuticals. Last year a team worked in El

Cacao, Guatemala


The People of the Mission Average team consists of : 3-4 physicians 1-2 dentists 3-4 Vegetarians 1-2 optometrists/ophthalmologists 1-2 pharmacists 8-10 nurses 2-4 computer operators 5-7 interpreters 12-15 non-clinicians including:

– 3-4 high school aged team members– Engineers, school teachers,

administrators


5 Star Accommodations 48 bed dormitory constructed in

2001 Funded by grant from Dioceses

of Texas Full showers and restrooms Large storage Veranda for preparing evening

meals by the team. Picnic atmosphere.

“The Hotel Taffy”


Healing Ministry and Service Work performed in Corinto goes

beyond just the clinical applications. Three fresh water wells were funded

by churches of the various team members.

Oversight of the wells has been the responsibility of the team while in the village.


God’s Healing Message Foot washing Ceremony night

before leaving for village Morning passage readings Sunday worship with local

congregation Prayer visits to houses Worship services in English

and Spanish


Lessons Learned/Goals for Next Year

Health Education initiatives Outreach to other villages such as

Garcia/Mobile clinic Kitchen renovation School uniforms and supplies Fresh drinking water to rest of

village Medicine and vitamins for local

health monitor


Contact Information:

Taffy Atkinson2101 Austin St.

Bay City Texas, 77414

(979) 245-9609

[email protected]

Documents

St. Mark’s Episcopal Honduras Medical Mission