Summer 2024 Newsletter
Summer time is a great time for ice cream, and we'll be hanging out with our friends at Chapel of the Valley August 25th at our annual Ice Cream Social. Generously sponsored by Chapel of the Valley United Methodist Church - who also host our little free clinic - we'll have a variety of ways to cool off, so save the date and join us!
Focus On Outreach
Even with expanded coverage from Medi-Cal, there are still many people in East County who need our services, but don't know that we're available. This year, VIM San Diego is focused on outreach opportunities that will strengthen the connection to our local community. If you follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn, you'll have seen our posts from the various health fairs, and events like World Refugee Day and Project Homeless Connect.
And it works! We've had new patients signing up and coming in to see us every month so far this year. That means people who need us are getting vital health care that they might otherwise go without.
Kevin Roscoe (VIM volunteer) took 33 blood pressure readings during the Project Homeless Connect event in El Cajon, sponsored by Grossmont Healthcare District
Welcome David!
Last month we welcomed David Lopez to the VIM San Diego team. David is at the front desk of our clinic on Mondays to help patients make appointments, get signed in, and book follow-up appointments as needed. He's also fluent in Spanish & is working hard to translate our patient and donor materials into Spanish, as well as helping us make our website more accessible to Spanish speakers.
David is a barber and an aspiring medical student who's getting ready to open his own barber shop this summer after graduating from UCSD in June of this year.
We're thrilled to have him on the team!
We love our volunteers!
We couldn't do what we do without the tireless support of our volunteers, so we wanted to take a moment and recognize a few who've been helping us this summer.
Donna O'Brien, a current board member, has been helping at our outreach events, along with working on getting our garden space at the clinic whipped into shape and creating information cards that will help us reach more people.
Stuart Harvey, also a board member, has also been helping out with the garden clean up and making sure our clinic is in good working order.
The rest of the board is hard at work behind the scenes, from keeping us connected via social media and networking, fundraising, and planning ahead for the future of VIM San Diego.
We also have volunteers like Mika and Kevin who represent VIM SD at outreach events, and of course all our volunteer physicians who treat our patients with compassion and skill.
Thank you everyone - we love and appreciate you and all you do!
Board Member & Volunteer, Donna, helping out at our World Refugee Day table alongside Mika (another wonderful VIM volunteer).
Logan, our operations & volunteer manager (left) and Sonya, our executive director (right) at the East County Chamber of Commerce Health Fair in La Mesa
Sylvie's Tips For Good Nutrition
We all know how important (and how hard it can be) to eat a balanced diet. And what even is a balanced diet these days?
The answer is - it depends. Every body is different, and different people can have different dietary needs. Add in allergies and sensitivities, available time for shopping and cooking, and preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc), and the right diet for one person doesn't necessarily work for the next.
But one thing we all need is...fiber. Adding fiber to your diet can help keep your blood sugar stable, improve the health of your gut bacteria (which helps digestion), and reduce inflammation.
Fortunately for all of us, fiber comes in many forms. Fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds will help you get the fiber you need. Black beans, raspberries, whole grains, and avocado are all tasty sources that are easy to add to your meal plan. Find more information and ideas here, along with a list of fiber-rich foods.
Summer Health Tips
July is UV Safety month, and August is National Eye Exam month, two things that go together well when it comes to health tips.
We know about protecting our skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, but your eyes need protection as well. The simplest way to protect your eyes is sunglasses with UV-rated lenses. If you wear prescription glasses, never fear - you're not stuck with those clunky, uncomfortable, over-the-glasses sunglasses any more (does anyone remember those? are they still a thing?). These days, UV protection is an option for most prescription lenses, giving you built-in protection along with the ability to see clearly.
This year for National Eye Exam month, the National Eye Institute is focusing on vision loss and its effects on mental health, and the resources available to people with impaired vision. Find out more here, and don't forget to book an eye exam if you haven't had one in the last year or two!
Let's Get Social!
Follow our Volunteers in Medicine San Diego's Facebook page for current events, clinic updates, volunteer opportunities, health-related news, and much more.
You can also find us on LinkedIn as Volunteers In Medicine San Diego, and now on Instagram as well as vimsandiego.
Thanks to the Grossmont Health District and the California Association of Free & Charitable Clinics for their ongoing support!
