Last night was our First Annual Gala Open House. Well over 100 people were in attendance including May Paul Miller and his wife Connie. There was great food provided by Finery Catering and music provided by New Motif. Then event, which was open to the public, featured tours of the Clinic programs and services and an opportunity to financially support the Clinic by sponsoring a room in either of our two sites or sponsor supplies the clinic purchases. The weather was perfect and the attendees and corporate sponsors generously demonstrated their support which led to a very successful first time event.
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Much going on around the Free Clinic recently. In September we received a donation of panaflex x-ray machine for our Dental Clinic. This devise allows the dentist to x-ray all the teeth at once to better determine there relationship to one another. This is especially helpful when extrcting wisdom teeth. Also in September the Clinic received a $15,000 grant from Alcoa Fastening Systems. Alcoa is very committed to supporting the charities in their community.
Today we celebrated Olga's Birthday at El Patio restaurant just one block away from the Free Clinic. Olga is our marvelous Dental Program Administrator and even though her birthday is actually tomorrow we celebrated her birthday today because tomorrow she has volunteers scheduled to provide dental services. Is that dedication? YES! And that is why we appreciate her. Happy Birthday Olga!
Today the dental clinic opened at 9:00 a.m. with Dr Joise Dovidio and Dr Joe Cheng. They along with volunteers from Oxnard College Dental Assistant Program treated patients until 3:00 when Dr Ean Kleiger arrived to see even more patient up to 6:00 tonight. These are some photographs from the activities this morning. Note the DVD player showing a movie while a patient waits for Dr Dovidio.
Dr. Tantraphol treated medical patients at our Medical Clinic from 9 a.m. to Noon today as well.
Nicolas Blume has completed his Boy Scout Eagle Project which was to convert one of the operatories at our Dental Clinic into a pediatric operatory. Nic and his team removed everything from the walls and painted them light blue. Then they painted clouds and balloons and kites on the walls and installed a flat screen TV with a DVD player. Now the children, having dental work done, can watch their favorite movies and imagine kites and clouds floating by. Thanks Nic!
Brian Schlesinger first volunteered at the Free Clinic about 17 years ago. Brian was interested in medicine so he mentored with Dr Kurohara. Brian later applied to and was accepted into a physician assistant school in
Dictionary.com defines the word orthodonture
noun the branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention or correction of irregularities of the teeth [syn: orthodontics]. The Free Clinic of Simi Valley is proud to add this service to the list of services now offered at our full service Dental Program. Yes, we now are offering braces to our list of dental services making our Dental Program unparalleled in
His parents brought him to the Free Clinic of Simi Valley Family Counseling Program because he needed help. For over a year he worked in play therapy with one of our dedicated volunteer professionals. Today he came in with his father and brother to say goodbye for his final session. He walked into the room and gave his therapist a big hug. "Since you helped me so much, I want my spot to go to someone else who could use your help," he said. "You taught me a lot, and now I have the tools to deal with my anxiety." His therapist told him that she had learned from him, too.
This client is only eleven years old.
Andrea Wilson, who volunteers in both the Medical and Dental Programs, is a wonderful person and a MVV, Most Valuable Volunteer. Today she brought her young daughter to the Dental Program. Isabel, who has recently turned two, looks right at home at what looks like a child sized laptop computer and is actually a small DVD player.
Our friends at Allied Insurance offered to volunteer to paint our three exam rooms and we were happy to accept. Six staff members painted the three rooms and also cleaned our carpeting. Thanks!
Dr. Raza from the 1,000 Oaks Children’s Dental Group volunteers at our Dental Clinic one Saturday each month. Dr. Raza has a calm manner which is well received by the children he provides care for. Yesterday morning he treated six children for a variety of dental concerns and the kids and their families appreciated his care. Here is a picture of Dr Raza being assisted by our Dental Clinic Administrator Olga Laflitto.
