NEWSAMRF

Assisting our less fortunate neighbors by donating medical equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics in developing nations.

American Medical Resources Foundation, Inc. Volume 23, No. 2, Fall, 2012

In 2012 the American Medical Resources Foundation continued its important mission in providing used but functional medical equipment and training

to hospitals serving the needy across the globe. We are proud to have helped to provide, through their hospitals, essential healthcare to millions of underserved people in Central America, Africa, and the Middle East. As you will read in this issue of the AMRF News, AMRF has also greatly increased its technical support and nursing services given to the hospitals and communities needing our help. We have been given a generous grant by the William Bingham Foundation to send technical teams to several hospitals to evaluate the results of our past services. The findings of these teams should help us to greatly improve our services. I am especially grateful for the outstanding commitment of the volunteers, staff, donors and sponsors of AMRF and their promise to do more in the upcoming year. We anticipate assisting hospitals in several new regions. However, the cost to AMRF to fulfill its humanitarian mission is increasing. Hospitals in the US are donating less used medical equipment and selling it instead. Although AMRF is receiving medical equipment

A Philips 5-bed intensive care unit (ICU) central monitoring system was assembled, tested and installed in the Santa Elena Hospital in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala by a volunteer team of AMRF professional biomedical engineers and nurses. In addition during the four-day visit, the team provided much needed engineering technical support, nursing support and training services at the ADENI Hospital in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Both hospitals receiving these services are recipients of medical equipment and hospital supplies donated previously by AMRF. The ICU central monitoring system was configured and tested at the AMRF facility in Brockton Massachusetts prior to shipment. The components

AMRF Installs ICU System in Guatemala

ICU System installedContinued on page 2

donations from many hospitals, we must now buy an increasing amount of equipment and accessories from used equipment dealers to fulfill the needs of our programs. Additionally, we have moved into a larger warehouse space to make our operations more efficient, and have engaged a part time warehouse manager to assist Victor, our president/operations manager. The cost of ocean shipping is also increasing. These increases are adding significantly to our operational expenses. We need your help now more than ever to cover the cost of providing our humanitarian services. Please help us assist the less fortunate around the globe with your continued generous donations as we move forward. Remember, all donations to AMRF are exempt from Federal Income Tax.

Warmest regards,Tom MagliocchettiChairman

From the Chairman

AMRF Needs Your Help Now!

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of the system were donated by the Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford Massachusetts. The configuration included selecting Spanish for the central station. The IntelliVue information center is a state of the art central monitoring system that provides sophisticated arrhythmia detection, full wave review, prioritized alarm detection and recording. The bedside monitors featured ECG, respiration, non-invasive blood pressure and invasive blood pressure monitoring pressure monitoring capabilities. Redundant components and supplies were included in the equipment donation to insure a high degree of success for the in-country installation. AMRF is grateful to the Milford Regional Medical Center for the donation of the system and to Peter Louzan of Philips Healthcare, who assisted the team in configuring the system in Brockton.The team consisted of Steve Cunningham, David Lavallee, Mikaela Johnson R.N. and Regina Cunningham R.N. The equipment donations were financed by the SABA Foundation. Agape in Action Inc. provides support for the Santa Elena hospital and facilitated the donation. The team was hosted by Jim Street M.D. of Agape in Action with lodging provided at the Agape mission facility.

School Children and Adults Screened by AMRF NursesIn addition to providing training to personnel at the Santa Elena Hospital, Regina Cunningham and Mikaela Johnson, RNs, were able to travel to nearby Hospital ADENI in Quetzaltenango to give two

days of free clinical screenings to approximately 120 patients, including 90 children and 30 adults. Organized by the director of the ADENI hospital, Dr.Álvaro Israel Hernández, examinations included blood pressure, diabetes and eye examinations. AMRF provided blood pressure kits, glucometers and assorted cables and accessories. Dr. Hernández reported subsequently to Victor that they had a great day, “with the blessing of God and the work of AMRF, I can tell you the clinic was a

AMRFThe American Medical Resources Foundation donates used, but totally functional medical equipment to hospitals serving the needy worldwide. AMRF also develops and provides training programs for medical equipment repair technicians and hospital managers responsible for the maintenance, repair, and calibration of medical equipment.

AMRF NEWSis published periodically by the American Medical Resources Foundation, Inc. AMRF is a tax exempt, nonprofit charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Mas-sachusetts. AMRF is registered by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Please address all correspondence to: AMRF, P. O. Box 3609, Brockton, MA 02304-3609. 508–580–3301. website:www.amrf.com. Email: amrf@amrf.com. This issue of the AMRF NEWS was written by Kay Barney, with reports from Steve Cunningham and Victor Sologaistoa. Designed and typeset by Bob Schecter for Bartleby Scriveners, “Newsletters and Content for All Media.”

Board of DirectorsChairman Thomas MagliocchettiPresident & CEO Victor Sologaistoa

Directors K. H. Barney • Steve CunninghamMyra Edens • Mason (Skip) IrvingThomas Magliocchetti • Richard (Pete) Plank Natasha Ryback, MD • Victor Sologaistoa

ICU System in Guatemalan Hospital Continued from page 1

Continued on page 3

Regina (left) and Mikaela assist in

screening

Steve Cunningham demonstrates ICU system to hospital

personnel

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Letter received from the mayor of Santa Catarina Mita, Guatemala5/25/12To Victor SologaistoaMy friend, Victor, you will be pleased to get this good news. We are truly enthusiastic with our hospital and we have finished the last installation of the equipment which you have sent us last year. We have been installing it little by little. In the next few days we will be making a list of the needs of our hospital and will be sending it to you to coordinate your help. Thanks for the interest and help to us. God bless you and protect you.Lic. René Vicente Osorio Bolaños, MayorMunicipality of Santa Catarina Mita

We’ve Moved!Not far, just upstairs, but we now have over 10,000 square feet of warehouse space, a welcome increase of 2000 square feet, a much more professional office, conference room, equipment repair and technical library than we’ve had. The second floor of the warehouse building in which we are currently located (46 N. Montello, Brockton) became available this summer, and thanks to a generous monthly pledge of $1000 to cover the additional rent for 24 months by AMRF Board member, Pete Plank, we were able to take advantage of this great improvement in our office and working areas. Also, at long last we will no longer have to contend with a small freight elevator to transport medical equipment and supplies to the loading dock. Our warehouse space is at the same level as the loading dock, a great improvement in material handling, both incoming and outgoing. The move was accomplished in 2 months under the direction of Scott Sologaistoa, our new Warehouse Manager, assisted by Eliot Assombmo, Codi Tremoulians and our volunteers. Come on down and visit us. Call first to let us know you are coming: 508 580 3301.

ICU System in Guatemalan Hospital Continued from page 1

Computer Center, Dave Hamblen

Packaged Hospital Supplies

Codi, Scott, Eliot

Ted Bergey andequipment ready to be shipped

great success.” Sixteen children and 12 were found with various levels of myopia and eye problems, other patients with diabetes, hypertension, and symptoms of glaucoma.

Children and Adults Screened Continued from page 2

Children awaiting screening

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New Program Possibilities in El Salvadorand Guatemala

Foundation Awards Grant to AMRFThe William Bingham Foundation has awarded AMRF a grant of $25,000 to fund an evaluation of the effect AMRF donated medical equipment and hospital supplies has had in several of its recipient hospitals. AMRF Chairman, Tom Magliocchetti, assisted by several members of the AMRF Board of Directors will organize trips by AMRF teams to at least three hospitals that have received equipment and supplies from AMRF. It is anticipated that each team will consist of a professional biomedical engineer, a doctor and a nurse. Each will evaluate, from the standpoint of their expertise, the current state of the equipment, and its help in improving healthcare delivery provided by each hospital.

At the invitation of the Hearts of Life Charity Victor Sologaistoa, President and CEO of AMRF along with officials of Hearts of Life, visited in August 2012 Yucuaiquin, southeastern and Metapán, northwestern El Salvador to survey hospitals to determine medical equipment needs. Hearts of Life seeks to provide children living in poverty in El

Salvador with food, water, education, spiritual help, primary and preventive health care. Along with Hearts of Life representative, Pedro Garcia, Victor met with the Mayor of Yucuaiquin, Lic. Ernesto Guitiérrez, to discuss the potential of equipping a clinic in an empty building which is available there. In Metapán they met with the mayor, Lic. Juan Samayoa, to request his assistance in getting AMRF containers of medical equipment and hospital supplies for the local hospital through customs and for any monetary assistance that might be available for the project. They also toured the local hospital, and Victor, with the assistance of Hearts of Life and the Hospital’s Director, Dr. Katia Josefina Enriquez Rosales, performed an assessment of the

hospital. It is obvious that there is a great need of equipment replacement and supplies. A list was developed which will be presented by Hearts of Life to different institutions that will participate in the project, including a branch of the worlds largest producer of cement, Holcim, a Swiss Company. They completed their visit by visiting other local clinics and children with health needs. On the same trip Victor met with officials of the Children’s Hospital in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala regarding the potential of equipment donation and hospital supplies to that hospital. Subsequently, he toured an unfinished hospital in San Martin Jilotepeque, Guatemala. The People for Guatemala Foundation has requested AMRF’s assistance to equip this hospital when finished. There appears to be great interest in this project by government officials, the mayor and others in the community for this project.

Victor meeting with Matepan and Hearts of Life staff.

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AMRF Medical Equipment & Hospital Supplies Donated in 2012

(partial listing of equipment and supplies)

Containers Shipped in 2012

Mt. Selinda Hospital, Zimbabwe 4 pieces of equipment Anesthesia equipment, monitors,isolette Health Centers and Hospitals in San Pedro Necta, San Juan Ixcoy, Huehuetenango and Santa Ana Huista, Guatemala 1–40 ft.Monitors, nebulizers, patient lifts, surgical instruments, exam tables, physical therapy equipment, patient supplies, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, stretchers, hospital beds, exam lights

Hospital Santa Elena, Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala 2 – 40 ft.Mammogram, anesthesia machines, blood gas analyzer, monitors colonoscope, defibrillators, dialysis machines, ECG & EKG machines, fetal monitors, electrosurgical units, infant incubators, warmers, multiparameter monitor system, ophthalmology units, vital signs monitors, ventilators, ultrasound diagnostic unit, surgical table, surgical lamp, stretchers, beds, misc. hospital supplies

Hospital ADENI, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala 1 – 40 ft.X-ray, ultrasound units, EKG, Monitors, beds stretchers, patient hoists, dental chairs, dental x-ray, dental accessories, vital sign monitors, other general hospital equipment and supplies.

Shipments in Preparation

Hospitals in Nigeria, World Medical Relief Foundation distributor 1 – 40ft.

Technical Services

Mt. Selinda Hospital, ZimbabweJanuary: Technical assistance by Steve Cunningham and associates to install anesthesia and monitor equipment

Hospitals in Guatemala

April: Victor Sologaistoa conferred with various organizations in Guatemala concerning the possibility of providing equipment for Hospitals Mazatenango, Retalhueu, and San Martin Jilotepeque

Hospital Santa Elena, Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala August: Steve Cunningham and AMRF professional volunteers (two engineers and two RNs): 7 days, technical and nursing services to install monitoring network system in ICU, assist in installation of other equipment donated, RNs to assist in hospital.

ADENI Hospital in Quetzaltenango, GuatemalaAugust: Screening of school children by AMRF nurses at ADENI hospital.

Hearts of Charity Hospitals, Yucuaiquin and Metapán, El SalvadorAugust: Victor Sologaistoa, President and CEO of AMRF along with officials of the Hearts of Life charity, visited Yucuaiquin and Metapán El Salvador to survey hospitals there to determine medical equipment needs. He also met with officials of Holcim, a Swiss cement producer to discuss possible financial support for providing medical equipment to hospitals there.

Syrian Refugees in Turkey Need Medical Help

The medical equipment needs of clinics serving Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan are being assessed by AMRF in cooperation with Red Crescent Society.

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AMRFAmerican Medical Resources Foundation, Inc.P.O. Box 360946 North Montello St.Brockton, MA 02304-3609

Tel. : (508) 580-3301Fax: (781) 275-4244Internet: www.amrf.come-mail: amrf@amrf.com

Return Services Requested

Non–Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 55817

Lexington, MA 02420

As a person who desires to relieve suffering and assist hospitals and clinics serving the poor in devel-oping nations, please enroll me as a contributor to the American Medical Resources Foundation. Enclosed is my contribution of:

$10,000 ( ) $5,000 ( ) $2,500 ( )

$1,000 ( ) $500 ( ) $100 ( ) Other ( )

Name ______________________________________

Address ____________________________________

City _______________________________________

State __________ Zip ________________________

Please do not send cash

PLEASE DONATE TO AMRF

I would like to make a multi-year pledge of:

$_____________________

with the following dona-tion schedule:

Date Amount___________ ____________________ ____________________ _________

I would like to discuss a Planned Giving Program.

Please contact me at:

Tel.

Email

Can You Help Us With Equipment or Supplies From Your Hospital or Company?Donations of used, functioning or repairable medical equipment or supplies are urgently needed for shipment to hospitals and clinics serving the poor in developing countries around the world. We will arrange pickup and/or shipping from anywhere in the U.S. Equipment donations from for-profit orga-nizations are exempt from Federal Income Tax. Donors should check with their tax advisors to

establish the value of the charitable deduction. We are in need of any equipment and supplies used in patient care. All the equipment is checked and repaired as needed in our own facility before being donated to hospitals overseas. All donations will be greatly appreciated by the re-cipient. Please call 508. 580.3301 or fax 781.275.4244 with a list of equipment to donate. Or you may contact us by e-mail: amrf@amrf.com

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