#MDJunior – Enjoy our BLOG

Dr. Mukundan, Infectious Diseases Specialist conducting a “Pharmcy 1-on-1″ with a Mentee

In public health, mentees and mentors alike learnt how to lay cement flooring – from the mixing of ingredients to actually layering and smoothing out the floor! This allowed students to see the direct impact of their trip abroad.

A Knowledge, Skills & Attitude Session in Progress - “What are Venous Ulcers and how are they related to Diabetics and possible Amputation?”

Stephanie Foe, family practice and public health specialist, spoke about Venous ulcers of the leg related to poor circulation in diabetics, all while demonstrating how to clean and dress such a wound.  She explained how the blood vessels and nerves in the feet and hands function poorly when diabetes is not controlled.  This causes loss of sensation and inability to feel when the foot is injured, so the patient had let a small wound become bigger. As the blood vessels are also affected, healing of the wound is slowed down, causing it to worsen.

With the help of the mentees, and the dressings and supplies MDJunior had taken, the wound was cleaned well, dressed with gauze and more of these supplies were given to the patient so she could continue to regularly clean the wound at home.

Contact:

shaun@mdjr.org 

Shaun Verma, 12th Grade, Milton High, GA

or any of our Chapter VPs

We have limited spots. Reserve yours today.

We have limited spots. Reserve yours today.

Sorting excess Medical Supplies for Disaster Relief

MDJunior – Selfless Service at Medshare

Packing Medical Supplies for Disaster Relief

MDJunior – Selfless Service at Medshare

#2. SKILLS: 

Heart & Vascular Clinic – Aman Kakkar, M.D, FACC

Eat right and exercise regularly starting from childhood, and that will keep your heart healthy even when you get old!

We  visited the Heart & Vascular Clinic at Northside Hospital, where Dr. Aman Kakkar  showed us around his clinic.  We learnt that cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in older men and women.  Some diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels include high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.  We learnt that we can control some of the risky behaviors that increase heart disease – for example not smoking, eating healthy, exercising regularly and controlling weight. We got to see some interesting cardiovascular equipment, such as a stress test machine, and an echo-cardiogram machine. We learnt that these are non-invasive tests, and there are other invasive tests, such as cardiac catheterization that are also done by cardiologists.

Learning about Echo Cardiogram

MDJunior Skills Session at the Heart & Vascular Clinic

Exercise Stress Test and Peak Performance

MDJunior Skills Session at the Heart & Vascular Clinic

#3. KNOWLEDGE:

Emory Johns Creek Hospital Neonatal Unit –  Athi Narayan, M.D., FAAP

Babies in trouble have their own separate ICU! Who would have thought? We found this out when we went to the Neonatal Unit .  

Dr. Athi Narayan outlined step by step, the path to  a career in medicine and health care.  Although a time-consuming path,  it was clear that the fulfillment at the end of the road is unmatchable. We learnt about “Neonatal Resuscitation” – where a newborn baby who has difficulty in breathing after birth, has procedures done so that they can breathe and the heartbeat can recover.

Lynne, the RN demonstrated that a premie could weigh as little as ~ 1 pound by showing us an IV bag that weighed about the same!!!

Path to a career in Healthcare

MDJunior Knowledge Session at Emory John’s Creek

MDJunior – Neonatal Resusciatation in Action with an ET Tube. Practicing on a Dummy

MENTOR OF THE MONTH :  

Athi Narayan, M.D., FAAP
Dr. Athi Naryan is currently practicing as a Neonatologist at Emory Johns Creek Hospital in Johns Creek, Atlanta, GA, where he serves as the Medical Director of Neonatology and Chairman of Pediatrics.

He completed his Residency in 1973 and later pursued training in Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology and has been practicing as a Neonatologist since 1977.

Dr. Narayan has served in various leadership roles within the field of medicine and other public service organizations. He founded the “Pallavaram Children’s Medical Center” (PCMC) in Pallavaram, a suburb of Chennai, where he is involved in encouraging and guiding young volunteers in the service of humanity, and in pursuing careers in health care. He was recently awarded the ” Frist Humanitarian Award” by Emory Johns Creek Hospital in February, 2009 and received the ” Ulaga Thamizhar Maamani ” (The Crown Jewel of World Tamils) at the Second World Tamil Economic Conference in October 2011. He feels very strongly that children are the future of every family, every community, every nation and the entire world.

My message for MDJunior –  ” I was really thrilled to see the enthusiasm shown by the young students enrolled with the MDJunior Program.   Leading them with hands on experience was the most rewarding experience for me. I am confident that these youngsters will not forget the pleasure they had in volunteering and learning at the same time which will motivate them to choose a career in healthcare. I am happy to be a part of the program as a Mentor. Good Luck in all your endeavours”.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES:
SPECIAL EVENTS

# MDJunior LOCAL: RURAL HEALTH PROJECT
Oct 2012 

As part of the State of Georgia Community Health Project – Migrant Health, Homeless & Special Projects. MDJunior student mentees will ac                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 company Mentors (phyiscians, Nurses, Dentists, Physical Therapists, Physician Assistants etc) to South Georgia on this (1 Night, 2 Days) Rural Health Project.

The students will work in a unique setting to provide medical care to ~1000 farmworkers and their families in South Georgia. The Project seeks to not only provide care to a medically underserved and economically important population in Georgia, but to also increase the awareness and competency of health care providers and students in working with this population.

The students will travel to Bainbridge/Valdosta, stay overnight and work over 2 days with the other members of the team.

MDJunior in Bainbridge, So. GA – Rural Health Project Summer 2012  

MDJunior – Supplies, Clothing Drive in Farm Workers Project, Bainbridge, So GA

# MDJunior GLOBAL: MEDICAL MENTOR MISSION, HONDURAS 2013
Mar 30th-Apr 6th, 2013 

MDJunior in Spring 2012 launched a Global Initiative for Students anywhere in the US above 16 years of age, to volunteer in Medical Missions abroad.
One of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere needs our help. Most villagers in Honduras have no access to medical attention within a 4 hour walk.

After a very successful MDJunior Mentor-Medical Mission in August 2012, we have just finalized our Next Global Mission to Honduras in Mar-Apr 2013 during Spring Break.

Interested?  

Overnight projects have limited spots. Reserve yours today.

Contacts:
Mentors: Deepa Ranganathan, M.D., Neonatologist; Piedmont Hospital- deepa@mdjr.org
Mentees: Shaun Verma, 12th Grader, Milton High School; shaun@mdjr.org

We’re seeking out Doctors, Nurses, Healthcare Professionals as Mentors to accompany High School student Mentees for our return Medical Mission to Sociedad Amigos de los Niños (SAN), Honduras, Central America. We’re also collecting Medicines, Supplies and Donations for the Mission.
Details http://mdjr.org/newsletters/global/

 MDJunior – CALENDAR 2012-2013:

*Sept 1st - Knowledge sessions begin at various schools  - the foundation of our organization. Typical sessions are held after school for an hour.

*Sept 15th: Health Fair at BPSOS

*Oct 6th: 8.30am -12.30pm – Medshare Selfless Service Day

*Oct 16th: 4-5pm – Children’s Hospital of Atlanta – Young Friends Volunteer Day

*Oct 20th: 10am -1pm – Embraced – Selfless Service Day

*Oct 2012: MDJunior Local Medical Mentor Mission – South GA Farm Workers (1 Night 2 days)

*Winter 2012: MDJunior Charity Ball

*Mar 31: Apr 6th, 2013 -MDJunior  Global Medical Mentor Mission to Honduras

CALL TO ACTION:

* Are you a Student … ready to take on a leadership position while in School / College with MDJunior Chapter?

* Are you a HealthCare Professional or a Parent … ready to give back?

* We are seeking donations & sponsorships – all tax exempt, for our forthcoming MDJunior Charity Ball in Winter 2012

Please Contact

shaun@mdjr.org or any of our Chapter VPs

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 MDJunior NEWSLETTER- JULY 2012

Volume 7.2012  

Hi All,

Words from the Wise – “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Hope everyone is having a Great Olympics Summer! Thanks for all the feedback.

Yes we upgraded from old school PDF to a Email / Web based version.  Take a minute and also check us out we’re up on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Like us: Facebook.com/MDJr.org  ;  Follow us: Twitter@mdjr_org  ;  YouTube: MDJuniorSociety

Enjoy our MDJunior July Newsletter.

MDJunior Volunteers at the Global Humantarian Summit 2012 in Emory University, Atlanta. Seen here with Honorable Consulate General of Honduras to the United States, Emelisa Callejas Romero

SKILLS:

Global Humanitarian Summit 2012

This year, MDJunior students attended the Global Humanitarian Summit at the School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta for the third time!

MDJunior students ran a booth/table at the Summit, presenting information about the organization to many people from around the world. The Middle and High School students from a variety of schools (Chattachoochee, South Forsyth, Alpharetta, Milton, Pebblebrook, Northview, Fulton Science Academy, Centennial, and Johns Creek) were always on site at the MDJunior presentation table, where they were getting the word out and selling t-shirts/wristbands for fundraising. In addition to the MDJunior table, the students also set up a Bone Marrow Drive. In collaboration with the Be Your Match Program, MDJunior students signed many people up for the national bone marrow registry by guiding people through the process of signing forms and then getting DNA swabbed.

MDJunior Exhibit and Volunteers at the Global Humantarian Summit at Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Finally, as the only teen speaker at the event, Shaun gave a speech in front of a large audience about MDJunior as an organization. The presentation covered the essentials of MDJunior – how it works, the problems it targets, recent activities, upcoming activities, and how people can get involved. The best part of the presentation was that MDJunior had a Special Champion – the Honorary Consulate General of Honduras to the United States, Ms. Emelisa Callejas, to speak about MDJunior’s global efforts in Honduras! All in all, it was a great experience for all people involved and a very fruitful endeavor.

MDJuniors Exhibit & Volunteers at the Emory Summit – “Let us tell you how you can help inspire young students?”

ATTITUDE:

Piedmont NICU Preemie Reunion

Have you ever wondered what happens to prematurely born babies once they leave the hospital? Many people, especially the Neonatologists that cared for the babies, definitely do. The NICU preemie reunion party at Piedmont hospital was an event where babies who had been born prematurely and were taken care of in the NICU previously came back with their families. The neonatologists, nurses, and other NICU staff got a chance to reunite with the Preemie babies and the babies’ families. This year’s theme was Dr. Seuss and the decorations, food, games stalls were fantastic.

 Piedmont Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Preemie Reunion

As Dr. Deepa Ranganathan, a mentor at MDJunior, put it “To me, as a Neonatologist who takes care of these premature babies when they are their sickest, seeing the kids back, most of them thriving and doing well, just reinforces the reasons for doing what we do. It makes it that much more special to hear the gratitude of the families, and see the kids playing and laughing and being just like any other kid.”

MDJunior was on site to volunteer and help organize the event. Helping in administrative processes such as setting up the event and directing people toward activities, students really enjoyed helping out at Piedmont. In addition to helping out, they got to hear some of the stories of these kids’ struggles from the families first hand. The students did a fantastic job (even in the killer heat!) and in the words of Jill Korizon, the chief organizer of the event, “We appreciate you taking the time from your busy schedule to bring those wonderful young adults to help make the event a success. Hats off to them as well.”

KNOWLEDGE: 

School Guest Speaker Series

MDJunior Knowledge Session at Inman Middle School, Atlanta, GA

Doris Nelms – United Hospice Care, Atlanta

One of the speakers at our after class knowledge session was Ms. Doris Nelms. Ms. Nelms came to us from United Hospice Care Atlanta – an organization that focuses on palliative end of life care rather than curative care. A tough path to go down, and organizations like United Hospice are necessary to bring solace, and to guide families during some of their most difficult times. Ms. Nelms showed us several of the items that people had given to her to be donated to United Hospice, such as a hand woven quilt and teddy bear. The subject brought up a whole different perspective of life for the students.

“You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to live until you die.” – Dame Cicely Saunders, Founder of the modern hospice movement.

Michelle Clark & Catherine Andrews – American Red Cross, Atlanta

Heads of volunteer drives at Red Cross, Ms Clark and Ms. Andrews visited us to speak about blood drives around Georgia.  They explained the step-by-step process involved in setting up blood drives. Students learnt about the different blood groups and how they can be donated, the dangers of mis-transfusion and the rarity and value of O type blood.

Knowledge Pearl – Did you know that one pint of blood that is donated by a person is replenished in just 4 to 8 weeks?

MENTOR OF THE MONTH
Sister María Rosa Leggol, O.S.F.

“The Mother Theresa of Honduras” – A Nobel Peace Prize Nominee.

Sur Maria Rosa with Shaun Verma, 12th Grade, Founder of MDJunior

Dedicated to developing programs that help the children and youth of Honduras grow and succeed in life, Nobel peace prize nominee Sister Maria Rosa Leggol, founder of Sociedad Amigos de los Niños in Honduras, is a living example of kindness, selflessness, and love.

Being an orphan herself, Sister Maria Rosa witnessed first hand the lack of loving care and individual attention given to children who had lost their parents. From her own experiences she was inspired to create a more loving environment and better living conditions for the children.

Sister Maria Rosa’s major desire has always been to help her fellow Hondurans help themselves to become productive citizens. Many of her children are now successful professionals who are using their knowledge and skills to develop the country. The Pope visited her and called her an “Inspiration for Millions across the World.”

A living legend who is now 85 years old, Sister Rosa is an inspiration for millions across the world – having opened up 65 health clinics across Honduras and raised 56,000 children throughout the duration of her life. A postage stamp was issued in her honor by the government of Honduras in recognition of her enormous efforts on behalf of the children.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES:

MDJunior Global: Honduras

A spirit of compassion is there in students across America, but not so much volunteerism. People will donate and raise awareness, but not so much get down in the mess of it all.

Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, needs our help and we can’t just fund relief organizations while expecting actions to be taken – we must take those actions ourselves.  Access to medical care in rural Honduras is exceptionally rare – most rural villages have no access to medical attention within a 4 hour walk. 57 percent of the rural Honduran population has never had medical or dental care in their lives outside such missions.

MDJunior is launching an opportunity for High School Students to get involved.  “Honduras is ready for the High School-er’s of America and MDJunior” says Honorary Consulate General Emelisa Callejas –avid supporter of MDJunior and one of the key people helping MDJunior kick off the Global Volunteer Program in Honduras.  Students from across the United States can make the one-week trip to Honduras, to engage in activities ranging from assisting in Medical Consultations to filling prescriptions in the pharmacy to assisting in Public Health projects.

MDJunior  will be working with an on the ground organization called Sociedad Amigos de los Niños, headed by Sister Rosa (the inspirational person of the month) in and around Nuevo Paraiso, a small village compound run by the Sociedad as an orphanage.

A major effort on the part of MDJunior is fundraising for our Global Missions. We will be accepting donations of $25 or more for medical supplies that will be provided at health camps on the trip. Finally, we are looking for in the form of donations are stationary supplies – pencils, erasers, sharpeners, notebooks, stickers. These are VERY easy to donate, and go a long way for the children of Honduras!

MDJunior Future Events

Last few weeks of Summer/Fall 2012

Great opportunity for MDJuniors, all students, parents and volunteers to give back to your communities. Additionally a chance to shadow and work with Healthcare Professionals like doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and physician assistants. Interested please contact your Chapter VP, or any of the MDJunior Contacts.

 Yes! You are already on your way to make a difference!

 MDJunior Events

• Aug 4th – HEALing Community Center, Atlanta, GA
• Aug 4th – Orientation for New Chapter VP’s, Atlanta, GA
• Aug 5th – 12th – Global Mentor Medical Mission, Honduras, Central America
• Aug 13th – 31st – Back to School! New Chapter Presentations, Middle/High Schools/Colleges
• Aug 13 onwards weeky meetings – Back to School! School / College Chapter Activities
• Sept 15th – Health Fair @ BPSOS, GA
• October 2012 – South Georgia Farm Workers Mission

Thanks to all the contributors and special thanks to the Honorable Consulate General of Honduras to the United States, Emelisa Callejas Romero,  Dr. Karen Del Cid, Ing. Francisco Javier Paz Fonseca in Honduras; Tony, Saier at #Emory; Ms. Lang, Ms. Bonner, Dr. Deepa at #Piedmont;  Dr Sudeep at #Arpan/CHOC; Dr Mukundan at #CHToledo; Ms. Stephanie at #UC Bakersfield; Dr. Moore, Dr. Maclin at HEAL and our student MDJunior team!

Good Luck to our Mentors and Mentees heading out on our Global Mentor Medical Mission to Honduras, Central America next week. Excited to be part of the group!

Stay Inspired and Peace till next time.

~ Shaun Verma

• Like us: Facebook.com/MDJr.org 
• Follow us: Twitter@mdjr_org 
• YouTube: MDJuniorSociety

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Enjoy our MDJunior June 2012 Newsletter!