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Tom Jenkins Neighborhood Healthcare Volunteer of the Year 2009 The North County Philanthropy Council Neighborhood Healthcare honors a very special volunteer every year. This individual is someone who goes above and beyond in his or her service, commitment and passion for Neighborhood Healthcare. We overwhelmingly selected Tom as the volunteer who has served Neighborhood Healthcare in so many caring and important ways this past year. Some of his contributions that we appreciate include: • Providing 360 to 400 hours of service every year since 2006 • Regularly sharing a spirit of commitment and passion for our organization and mission • Inspiring others and serving as a role model for other volunteers His dedication and humble spirit inspires staff and volunteers alike. He mean so much to all of us and the staff at Neighborhood Healthcare (Elm Street) send him an enthusiastic round of applause for his excellent service. Tracy Ream, CEO MEDICAL ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM Congratulations to our second group of nine employees and one community member to be selected for the Medical Assistant Training Program. The MA Training Program is a partnership between North County Health Services, Vista Community Clinic, Neighborhood Healthcare and the San Diego Workforce Funders Collaborative. For employees who met the selection criteria, a 10-month Medical Assistant (MA) training program is available at no cost. Upon completion of the classroom hours and internship requirements, employees will be eligible to apply for a position as a Medical Assistant. Please congratulate these employees as they have made the first step toward embarking on an exciting journey that will help them to further their education, their career and their earning potential. Top row, from left to right: Michelle Ahumada: PSR @ Hickory, Giselle Menendez: Retention Specialist @ Date-Access to Care, Ruben Nungaray: PSR @ Elm, Guadalupe Najera: PSR @ Elm Bottom row, from left to right: Alannah Zapotocky: Medical Records Clerk @ Temecula County, Jasmine Acosta: Medical Records Clerk @ Elm, Olga Torres: Community Member, Maria R. Martinez: PSR @ Winchester, Maribel Nila: PSR @ Winchester, Monica Manriquez: PSR @ Pauma PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE "I'M GOING TO BE SAFE AGAIN!" Jamie Dean and Dr. Karin Schiff Jamie Dean of Escondido says it is the prayers of her church choir members that are responsible for changing her life this week. Holding her hands against her cheeks and getting teary eyed, Jamie said, "This is a miracle. We've been praying that I would get a wheelchair. I just can't believe it!" At age 60, Jamie has been living with a rare condition of very low blood pressure the past two years. The condition, called Diabetic autonomic neuropathy and orthostatic hypotension, causes her to suddenly pass out sometimes when she goes from a sitting to standing position or while walking. As a result, she has endured many injuries from the sudden falls and has developed a fear of going outside alone. Two years ago, Jamie spent three days in the hospital enduring many tests to determine what was wrong with her."The hospital ended up saying I had low sodium. Thank goodness for Dr. Schiff. She is the one who figured out what was wrong with me. Medically she is the best and it's amazing...she really cares about me." Neighborhood Healthcare's Dr. Karin Schiff thought of Jamie immediately when a wheelchair was donated to the health center by a local woman. With  the help of the East Escondido Rotary who paid to replace the batteries, the wheelchair was delivered to Jamie in excellent working order. "One time Jamie was walking down Washington Street and fell suddenly when she passed out. No one came to her aid for two hours," explains Dr. Schiff."It was horrifying," says Jamie.  "Now, (with the wheelchair), I feel safe again! You have no idea how this is going to change my life." More about PEOPLE.... Neighborhood Healthcare Patients Share Their Experiences with You Neighborhood Healthcare ~ Pauma Valley John Dunnicliff John Dunnicliff of Valley Center will celebrate his 70th birthday in November and he is looking forward to celebrating his birthday doing his favorite thing: hiking in the mountains. That wouldn't have been possible five years ago. After coming to the United States from England, John worked in Los Angeles for 20 years, as an agent for directors and photographers at Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers. He grew up hiking and climbing around his home in the hilly part of England.  “As far back as I can remember,” John says, “there were always ropes and hiking boots around the house.” His work involved visiting advertising agencies to find commercial work for directors and photographers and during his off time he would spend every possible weekend at Joshua Tree National Park or other wilderness areas rock climbing. Once John decided to go freelance, he lost his corporate health insurance and retirement benefits and was on a tight budget. When he was diagnosed with the onset of arthritis at the age of 60, he had to stop rock climbing.  “It was a real shock to suddenly not be able to do what I’d been doing for 40 years. The arthritis got so bad that at one point I couldn’t even turn the ignition in my car, because my wrist hurt so bad,” John said.  “When I came over from England,” he continued, “and discovered that I had to pay for basic medical care, I thought, what? I have to pay to see a doctor? People are making a profit off my illness? Why should you have to make a profit off of poor people who are ill? That’s outrageous! But on the other hand, gasoline only costs $2 or $3 a gallon here, when it’s twice that in England. So I guess you just have to get used to different things.” However, John couldn’t get used to medical costs. His physician in Los Angeles prescribed an experimental regimen of two injections a week for three months, for a total cost of $14,000. Not being able to afford that, he relied on cortisone to keep the arthritis in check. Five years ago when John retired and moved to a rural home near Valley Center he learned about Neighborhood Healthcare ~ Pauma Valley from a friend. His first physician was Dr. Rodriguez, who told him his condition was sufficiently severe that he should see an arthritis specialist. “I told him I couldn’t afford the visits, which would cost $150.00,”  John explained. So, Dr. Rodriguez referred him to the Arthritis Foundation, which sees patients at reduced or no charge. A physician there brought his arthritis under control – so much so that, for the past 18 months, John has been rock climbing again.  “I am so grateful this health center exists. It meant a lot to me when I need care and some answers,” John said. Neighborhood Healthcare ~ Escondido Lourdes Dureza Provider: Margaret Chen Sixty-seven year old Lourdes Dureza of Escondido has been a patient of Neighborhood Healthcare for six years. “I owe my health to Neighborhood Healthcare -- I feel better now than when I first came,” Dureza said.“The people at Neighborhood Healthcare are more compassionate, more helpful and that kind of care is priceless. They’re always trying to be a help to you in any form. They really want to meet your needs.” Lourdes realized she was a diabetic in 1989, when she lived in the Philippines. Her treatment consisted of regular medications. After coming to Escondido in 2003, she realized she needed more help. She wasn’t working, so she came to Neighborhood Healthcare and her medical expenses were covered by County Medical Services. “Before I came to Neighborhood Healthcare, I was always tired, always sleeping a lot. Now I have more energy, I’m enjoying life, and seeing a lot of pleasant people. Dr. Chen is a very compassionate, understanding lady. She takes time for me. And she tells me when I need to do more, like walk farther. When you go to her, you feel important. I don’t feel any discrimination in regard to language or financial disadvantage. And, I feel confident in her diagnosis. If there’s no cure for something, she says so, then tells me: burn more calories. Walk more. When I have special medical needs, such as a sore knee, she refers me to other specialists such as a sports medicine doctor.” Dr. Chen prescribed insulin, other medications, and referred Lourdes to Project Dulce, a program that educates patients about managing their diabetes and provides medical visits and medication for a cost of approximately $900 year.  “Their approach is very good. In Project Dulce, you interact with real people with diabetes. You can ask questions about what is happening, and you can integrate your experience with that of others. When you ask a question, the nurse educator explains what is happening in a way that you can remember. The answers are very complete. All you have to do is follow the procedures. I’m one of the successful ones,” she says and smiles. Lourdes is no longer on insulin, and her other medications are being reduced. “I manage how much I eat, and I exercise, so the medications are being reduced. But it takes a certain discipline to do it, and it takes a team to pound it into your head. They are saying the truth, and you have to accept that they’re telling you the truth.” BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Dear Neighborhood Healthcare, I wanted to take a moment and thank you for the wonderful care that I have received the past 5 years. I came to you at a very crucial and stressful time in my life, and between my therapist and my psychiatrist, I have been able to manage my bi-polar disorder. I continue to see my doctors and my medications are working just right. I owe so much to you there at Neighborhood Healthcare. I also want to thank the staff there who treat patients with such care, respect and dignity. In closing, I hope to be able to continue my care here at Neighborhood Healthcare for many years to come Thanks for all you do, Sincerely, (patient’s name was omitted to ensure privacy.) NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTHCARE’S DIABETES PROGRAM: PROJECT DULCE Gerald has a small business operating heavy equipment. For him, work has been sporadic over the years. He learned about Neighborhood Healthcare through County Medical Services, when he went to their offices for treatment of pneumonia. The county directed him to Neighborhood Healthcare.  “I went in three times. The first time they gave me one shot of penicillin. The second time, two shots. The third time, three shots, and I finally recovered. If I hadn’t had treatment there, I likely would have ended up in the hospital, said Gerald.” About five years ago he began having vision problems, and suffered from exhaustion. Returning to Neighborhood Healthcare, Gerald was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He was referred to Project Dulce, and regularly attends meetings.  “I have always gotten good care at Neighborhood Healthcare. I’m very impressed by their devotion – I’m sure they’re not making huge amounts of money. By being here for people with little money, they prevent the escalation of issues. If the taxpayer has a choice between covering these people at Neighborhood Healthcare for $100, or covering them in the hospital for $10,000 it doesn’t take an accountant to figure out the best value available when needed. If I have a blood sugar issue, I call, they get me in, and get me squared away.”

John Ruzich, D.D.S.

Dr. John Ruzich of Escondido, 64, was an important part of Neighborhood Healthcare’s family for three decades.

He passed away January 8, 2009 and we will deeply miss not only his presence but his passion for helping those less fortunate.

Dr. Ruzich was an inspiration to us as he quietly remained devoted to charitable causes and volunteer outreach most of his adult life.

An Escondido resident and dentist, Dr. Ruzich served on Neighborhood Healthcare’s Board from 1968 to 2008 and served as the Board President from 2001 to 2006.

He was instrumental in creating Neighborhood Healthcare’s dental program in 1979. At that time, adding dental services was something that many community health centers were unable to provide but Dr. Ruzich’s leadership helped to ensure that low-income residents in Escondido would have access to dental care.

Dr. Ruzich was honored as Neighborhood Healthcare’s “PaceSetter Awardee for Exceptional Volunteer Services” in 2004.

He also volunteered his services to The 1,000 Smiles Foundation for decades. He traveled to Mexico to provide dental care for less fortunate children who suffer from lack of dental care.

Dr. Ruzich served as a proud Rotarian helping many nonprofits in Escondido.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.