SPRING 2013

United Hearts for Health

A health partnership linking Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to Rosita Nicaragua MEDICAL MISSION TRIP 2013
The United Hearts for Health medical mission team left for Nicaragua on January 23, 2013. As usual there were the expected challenges of working in a third-world country along with the rewards that the team experienced as they saw patients and interacted with the local people. The trip this year had an additional challenge that will be explained in the accounts to follow. These accounts were written by both seasoned medical personnel and first -timers, and they will give you a feel for what the mission team experienced and how they overcame the obstacles in their path. You will also understand how our generous donors have helped make these mission trips a success.

EACH MISSION TRIP IS A NEW ADVENTURE

This was my sixth medical mission trip to Rosita, but this year was very different from all the others. Dr. Tom Reis and I were co-leaders for the first time, and we found out the day before we were to leave, January 23rd, that some of our barrels of supplies and medicine had not been released by Nicaraguan customs even though they had been in customs for three months. Tom and I had a long day of decision making. We talked to Barb Lent, Marcie Janz, and Sr. Marise Meis of Rosita about what to do. We finally decided to make the trip anyway and take along as much Tylenol and ibuprofen with us and do as much as we could once we reached Rosita. In spite of the supply problem, the group of 10 doctors and nurses along with Flavio Araa, our interpreter, were very happy to be going to Rosita.

2013 Mission Group from left to right: Gina Everson, MD; Michelle Ziegelbauer, RN; Jami Schoenborn, RN; Bill Trager, MD; Lisa Hartmann/Leblanc, RN; Mary Gorske, NP; Liz Brachmann, RN; Sr. Marise Meis, CSA; Katie Herzog, RN; Barbara Zink, MD; and Tom Reis, MD.

Friday we traveled to Managua, Nicaragua, and were able to take into the country 10,000 tablets of ibuprofen and Tylenol. We had a great group that was enthusiastic and ready to work and help the people of Rosita and the surrounding rural areas. On Saturday we flew into Bonanza and were greeted by people from Rosita. From there we traveled to Rosita over very bumpy roads seated in the back of pickup trucks. It was a long 90-minute drive but with a very pretty countryside. Along the way, we stopped and bought bread and plantain. Though we all thought this road was bad, it was only the start of many bad roads for the week.

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Sunday we went to Church at Santa Rosa, which is always a highlight of the week as we are introduced to people of Rosita and get a very warm welcome. We spent the rest of the day buying medicine from the local pharmacia, and then the hospital also offered to let us use some of their medicine. The pharmacy director sent surplus medicine with us to the rural areas, and that medicine was left there for the local RN to distribute. This medicine was a great help to us as just about all our medicine, as mentioned above, was in the barrels in Managua stuck in customs. The good news now is that those barrels are finally in Rosita, and the medicine will resupply the hospital. Also, the vitamins we did not have will get to the rural areas where they are needed. Monday we got to work and split up between rural areas and Rosita. The rural areas had many of the sicker patients, and Dr. Bill Trager treated some of the worst the first day. We tried to get a few of those patients to Managua for further medical care. On Monday, we also had help from the local dentist, Dr. Milton Roche, and then we hired Simon, a dental assistant, to help us the next three days in the rural clinics. They both worked hard and were a great help to the mission trip. We were able to distribute layettes to Casa Materna and some extra supplies to the women at the end of their pregnancies. This time we again gave out sundresses to girls and their mothers, and these were very treasured gifts from us. Thursday afternoon we had the kids Fun Run inside the baseball stadium, and we all enjoyed running with the kids or handing out valentines and medals at the end of the run. It was a good week with the 11 people from Wisconsin working extremely hard and enjoying helping the people of Rosita. We really appreciate all the donations and prayers from the people of Fond du Lac as we make this mission trip each year. ~Barb Zink, MD, and Tom Reis, MD

Children hold valentines made by Fond du Lac students.

A NEW EXPERIENCE AND A NEW REALIZATION

Elephantiasis (filariasis) a disease caused by the bite of an insect that deposits parasites inside the body blocking the flow of lymph drainage causing extreme swelling which resembles the legs of an elephant. Pictures in books, but I had never before seen a first-hand case of elephantiasis. In Rosita in an elderly woman, sleeping in a hammock, with diabetes already threatening the loss of her feet, Maria had already had medication for this disease, but it is sometimes incurable.

Her family was very concerned about their mother/grandmother, and they were taking care of her as best they could. They requested that someone from Wisconsin come to their home, since Maria was unable to walk to the clinic and wait in line. What Dr. Gina Everson and I saw when we went was a clean although humble home and a grateful woman and her family. We spent some time confirming that her doctor in Rosita was right in the medication he had given her and that the prognosis was not very good. We went back the next day to take her some Tylenol since our other medications had not been released from customs. (The medications were sent in August!) I wish I could have done more for her, but the fact that we were there seemed to be the most important thing to her and her family. Family is important in Rosita. People connect to people not to the television, I-phones or video games (although these do exist in Nicaragua). The people have few material goods to share, but so much love and compassion. They remind me of the widow in the Gospel who gave the two small coins from her need which meant more than all the money the rich man gave. When I look at all the opportunities I have been given, I have to wonder why me and not others? I cannot save the people of Rosita. Perhaps by being with them, they will save me! As usual, my luggage was much lighter coming back to the U.S., but my heart was full of gratitude for the love I had received from the people of Rosita. ~Mary Gorske, NP

Mary Gorske, NP, and Katie Herzog, RN, appear with a man given crutches by UHH.

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MEMORIES OF ROSITA
The trip to Rosita was wonderful experience that will stay with me for a lifetime. I would like to describe the impact of this trip on my life by sharing my memories of a few of the patients and the people of Rosita. (The names used below are not real names to preserve confidentiality.) Practicing medicine in the rural clinics with no electricity, running water, basic labs or tests available was a very foreign experience to me. At one of these rural clinics, in the community of Riscos de Oro, I met Maria. She was only 15 years old and married to a boy who looked no older than she. Maria came to me with concerns that she might be pregnant but was suffering from fevers and abdominal pain. Pregnancy testing was not Dr. Gina Evenson standing with her available, but after examining her I felt she was probably translator Anna. pregnant. I was worried that this could be something more serious; the heat radiating from her skin let me know she had a significant fever. She needed an ultrasound and labs, so I urged her and her husband to go to Rosita to be evaluated by a local doctor and helped them with cab fare. The next day, I was scheduled to work at the Rosita clinic. When I arrived in the morning, I saw Maria in the line of patients to be seen. In horror, I realized that Maria had been waiting without any food or water since I saw her in clinic the day before. I was very concerned about her as she appeared very sick and dehydrated. We determined that she was pregnant and suffering from a severe kidney infection. I had hoped that Maria could be admitted to the hospital for treatment, but I found out that this was not feasible in Rosita. She was too sick to head back to her rural community, so we recommended she stay in Casa Materna, a local shelter for pregnant women. We gave her an injection of an antibiotic, but to my dismay the hospital pharmacy did not have any appropriate oral antibiotics for her to continue that were safe during pregnancy. Therefore, over lunch I ran down the street to the local pharmacy to purchase an oral Dr. Evenson crosses a antibiotic for her. When I returned, Maria had already left to make the two-hour rickety bridgethe trip back home. My heart sank! I was worried about her, but I could understand only way to the rural their decision to leave. They had no car, so they had to rely on others to take village of Wasakin. them back to their community. Luckily, my interpreter knew the mother of the nurse at the rural community where Maria lives. Through this connection, we were able to get Maria her needed medicine. It amazed me how the community members worked together to make things happen. On the morning of my last day in clinic, I was in the rural community of Fruta de Pan. Clinic that day had gone extremely smoothly. I was done before the others, so I asked if there was anyone else who needed to be seen. In came Miguel, a child of four years, weighing only 25 pounds. His concerned and very caring father brought him in because for the last two months he was having trouble walking and was not eating much. I was struck by his severely malnourished appearance. He was just skin and bone, and his legs were too weak to support even his own weight. His father said that he had been seen by the local doctor in Rosita, who told him that there was nothing they could do. In this rural clinic, Children wait for the clinic in without any diagnostic tests available, I could not determine exactly what Wasakin. was going on. Miguel was suffering from severe malnutrition of uncertain cause and needed more care. United Hearts will be helping Miguel get much needed vitamins and will help Miguel and his family get to Managuas pediatric hospital for further diagnostic testing and treatment. Managua is an 18-hour bus ride through winding, bumpy roads, so it will not be an easy voyage for Miguel and his family, but necessary if Miguel is to be helped. After finishing with Miguel, I was once again packing up my things, when suddenly four people rushed into the clinic carrying a woman lying on a sheet. I was told that they had come from a long way

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away, and her family had carried her to the clinic. Rosa was 41 years old. She had had a stroke two months before this and was unable to walk although her speech and thinking abilities were preserved. Since her stroke, her family had been providing all care for her, and they brought her to the clinic hoping I could help her to move again. Unfortunately, the damage from the stroke was done, and there was no medicine that I could give her to get her walking again. The best I could do was to treat her high blood pressure to help prevent another stroke and try to get her a wheelchair. I learned that wheelchairs are rarely available in Nicaragua, even for a patient like Rosa whose only ability to get around is by her family carrying her! I was just blown away by the support of her family and the resilient spirit of the people of the community. United Hearts plans to help Rosa by getting her a wheelchair. What I think I will remember most about the trip is the kindness shown to us by the local people. We were welcomed as family with kisses and hugs when we arrived and when we left. The evening before we left, we shared dinner with the local hospital staff, the local priests, the mayor, and many others. We were treated with singing and dancing and kind words. Such an expression of gratitude and kindness I have never experienced before. Recalling that evening still brings tears to my eyes. Finally, I would like to share a bit about the impact the trip to Rosita has had on my own life. When I first decided to go to Rosita, I did so thinking it was a good opportunity to help others; however, what I did not realize is how much I would be helped and changed by this experience and how much the people of Rosita would help me. While we worked hard, it was fun! I have never had a vacation that was this moving or powerful or gratifying. While I definitely missed my three young children and husband on the trip, the experience was amazing. After seeing others deal with severe adversity every day, with a smile and patience, it really puts the trivial struggles of my own life in perspective. It has brought me closer to my faith and to my family and helped me to be grateful for all of the blessings in my life. Gina Evenson, MD

MY MISSION EXPERIENCE
Although I have been to Rosita twice before, my experience in January was to go with United Hearts for Health on a medical mission. Over a period of four days (and how quickly it went!) I must have seen over 100 people seeking treatment for various ailments. Most commonly I saw aches and pains not surprising since I observed many of the people carrying water and babies over long distances and men who spent their days cutting with machetes. Our medicines did not make it out of customs, so we had very little in the way of pills to give them. I also saw a few with more serious conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, infections) which are also common in the United States.
Mary Gorske stands with a local girl Perhaps the hardest part was knowing that whatever mediwearing a sundress donated by UHH cine I could give them would soon be gone, and they would be and sewn by Jean Killinger. back where they started. It was challenging to work where X-rays were reserved only for emergencies because there was not enough X-ray film to go around and no ability to order common lab tests since the lab in Rosita is so limited. It was scary to recommend a treatment that might not have had a chance to be completed because of lack of resources, both human and material.

Although we had interpreters, the language barrier and time constraints did not allow as much personal investment in each person as I would have liked. I had to rely on my presence there in Rosita to let the people know that I really cared about them. I had met with the health care providers in Rosita previously and had been impressed by their dedication to the people and to doing the best they could with what they had. I was also impressed with the nurses that ran the rural clinics under very primitive conditions they were concerned to provide only the best care for their people. I felt humbled working with the other United Hearts for Health providers and nurses. As a group with a variety of skills, we could do so much more than any one of us alone. It was truly a privilege to be able to go to Rosita, to work with my fellow doctors and nurses, to meet both the people we served and those that served us while we were there. ~Mary Gorske, NP

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ALWAYS WITH A SMILE.

Every group that does successful things has a coterie of behind-the-scenes workers without whom little would ever be achieved. United Hearts for Health is no exception. For more than a decade, scores of unsung heroes and heroines have worked tirelessly to make our fund-raisers (Super Spin and wine tastings) and annual medical and agricultural missions successful. In this publication, we like to introduce you to those who work so hard to make it all possible. Enter Connie Millard the fund-raising coordinator and super mom who is UHHs own Energizer Bunny. Somehow, from her super-human reserves of original ideas and gusto, Connie is able to make it all happen. Shes a professional organizer with the ability to develop promotional materials for print and broadcast, come up with themes and intricate games for events, and secure Connie Millard, Super Spin coordilocations for planning meetings and the events themselves nator with her willing helpers, three whether it be the Fond du Lac Y.M.C.A. or sections of Holy Family of her sons-Tony, Andy, and Paul Jr. Parish. Everything she does is with a smile. To volunteers, Connie is available 25 hours a day, 8 days a week. And she does all her wonderful work for us while managing a home with six kids ranging in age from 10 to 29, one grandchild, and helping her husband, Record Entertainment booking and equipment manager and Platinum Performer Paul Millard, with his work. Connie was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Parish in Byron, graduated from Lomira High School, then went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Advertising, Journalism, and Public Relations at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Over the years, she has put her education, practical experience, and heart and soul into a variety of professional and volunteer causes. For several years, Connie was the volunteer coordinator and community resource development director at the Salvation Army headquarters in Fond du Lac. She initiated their highly-successful Night with the Stars event and was on duty when a devastating F-5 tornado struck Oakfield in July 1996. Connie pitched in and did all she could to help those in the stricken area by gathering and distributing clothing and food to those who had lost so much.

The result of Connie Millards efforts record participation at Super Spin 2013.

Wherever theres a need at home or in her community you find Connie Millard. And we at United Hearts for Health and so fortunate that she found us. ~Anne Kaestner

JOIN UNITED HEARTS FOR HEALTH

Would like to become more directly involved in helping the poor of Rosita? Then consider becoming a member of United Hearts for Health. We are a medical group, but our membership is not limited to medical professionals. We also need people with other valuable skills in areas such as planning and publicity, finance, sewing and crafts, journalism, editing, computer and website expertise and so on. Combining all of these talents makes our group stronger and more efficient in bringing improved health and agricultural practices to the people of Rosita. Call 920-923-0155 or 920-923-2446 for information.

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ADIS..GOOD-BYE..GODSPEED..
to Dr. Barbara Zink and her husband, Gary, as they leave Fond du Lac to relocate in Coos Bay, Oregon.
There Barb will continue her work as a pediatrician. A native Oregonian, Barb is returning to be near her aging parents. Fond du Lac has been home to Barb and Gary for 24 years. Here they raised their family, son, Max, now in Ohio and daughter, Katie, in college. Gary, a Mercury Marine retiree, is looking forward to the outdoor activities that Oregon has to offer. Barb has been invaluable to United Hearts for Health in her work for the fund-raisers, but especially for her participation in Dr. Barbara Zink with one of the young several medical runners at the Fun Run held at the baseball missions to Rosita. stadium in Rosita. She generously agreed to co-share leadership for the January 2013 medical mission, where it was necessary for the team to serve in some challenging situations. Barbs perseverance and leadership has helped to make UHH mission trips successful, and she plans on continuing to be part of the annual mission trip to Rosita. What is Barbs view of her mission trips? She said she has a better perspective of health in general and on the value of going back to the basics in health care. This may be just presence and touch, as the most recent mission team discovered. Thank you, Barb, for all you have done. We wish you success. ~Marcie Janz, ANP

Dr. Zink pictured a few years ago with her patient Wendy Ortiz. Dr. Zink has followed this patient for years and has seen to it that she continues to receive the necessary medication for her asthma.

United Hearts for Health Mission Statement We propose to join the faith journey of Holy Family Parish in its twinning relationship with Santa Rosa Parish by facilitating a Fond du Lac community effort to assist in raising the standard of healthcare and promoting a more healthy environment in Rosita, Nicaragua, and the surrounding rural areas. This long-term relationship will seek to work in partnership with the people of Rosita, its healthcare and church community and Nicaraguan government, while recognizing the dignity and the many talents of the people we hope to serve.

United Hearts for Health c/o Holy Family Parish 271 Fourth Street Way Fond du Lac, WI 54937 Contact Numbers: (920)923-2446 - M. Janz (920)923-0155 - M. Cappellari

Suggestions or comments Please E-mail jcappellari@charter.net

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SUPER SPIN 2013ANOTHER SUPER YEAR

The 2013 event was a year of firsts. First time that Super Spin in partnership with Alterra Coffee of Milwaukee sold Super Spin coffee and hot chocolate. Both products were a huge hit and completely sold out. Super Spin 2013 used digital billboards for the first time, and thanks to Action Advertiser, a double-page ad with multiple sponsors promoted Super Spin. It was the first time that the Fond du Lac Fire Department sponsored a team, and the first time that a group of pharmacists sponsored a team called the Drug Pedalers(Rx). It was the first flash mob p e r f o rm a n c e by D en i s e Bednareks SMSA team. A representation of the empty bike honoring the Sadly, it was the first year memory of Fr. Vic Capriolo without Fr. Vic and our first donated by Dave Haase of year with an event dedication Attitude Sports. and tribute. An empty bike stood at Super Spin in Fr. Vics honor. It will be taken apart and shipped to Rosita. Botanical Blooms for A Year were awarded to event leaders who through their action and energy help the event grow: Congratulations to Captain Denise Bednarek of St. Marys Springs Academy and Captain Mary Williams of Rosenow Elementary. Forward Award recipients who used their energy and talent to enhance the connection between Fond du Lac and Rosita were Jen Memmel and Kristin Magruder of Action Reporter Media, Jeff Faris of Faris Gourmet Popcorn and Dave Haase of Attitude Sports.

First- time team, Fond du Lac Fire Department riders, spin for Rosita.

Over 300 participants rode in Super Spin, and the YMCA gym was packed with people of all ages and their bicycles. Hundred of valentines were created by the students who rode in Super Spin, and they were taken to Rosita by the 2013 medical team. Close to $17,000 was raised to help the people of Rosita with medical care. It was truly amazing how many people supported Super Spin by either riding, donating or working. It is an incredible event that shows the compassion that the people of Fond du Lac have for Rosita. ~Barbara Lent, RN

THANK YOU TO SUPER SPIN 2013 SPONSORS

Action Reporter Media, Agnesian HealthCare, Attitude Sports, Trepaniers Backyard Bar & Grill, BCI Burke, Botanicals Floral Studio, B104, Consultants Laboratory, Dominos Pizza , Family Video, Faris Gourmet Popcorn, Flyway Signs & Graphics, Fond du Lac Family YMCA, Grande Cheese, Graphic Center, Holy Family Catholic Community, Hoppers Silk Screening & All Star Trophy, Horicon Bank Blue Goose Coffee Shop, KFIZ, K107.1, Model Cleaners, Next Media/Lamar, 96.1 TCX, Record Entertainment Disc Jockey Service, Sargento Cheese, Silica Appliance & Electronics, Sunny 97-7, Team Sports, Inc., Timex Multisport Team, TNT Outdoor Fitness Obstacle Course, Westbrook Rental & Repair

ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY METHOD FOR NEWSLETTER

If you are interested in receiving your United Hearts for Health Newsletter electronically, please let us know by e-mailing your preference to jcappellari@charter.net. Future issues will then be sent to you via e-mail.

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PHOTO GALLERY

Proud father holds his baby just outside Santa Rosa Church after Sunday Mass.

Michelle Zieglebauer, RN, joins pregnant women waiting to be seen by a UHH medical professional. A mother shows off the sundresses given to her daughters by UHH. The girl on the left seems to be camera shy.

Local boys fill the baseball field after the annual Fun Run. The children were given medals and valentines at the end of the race.

A young boy relaxes while enjoying an ice cream cone

An old church in Wasakin, a rural community visited by UHH.

Help United Hearts for Health carry on our mission for the people of Rosita. Your continued generosity will make this possible. Thank You.
Please make your check payable to UHH/Holy Family. Send to: United Hearts for Health, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54937

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