Pre-6G Board Meeting

6G Officers! From left to right: Albert, Natalie, Andrew, Tuan Nguyen, Long, Au-Co, Tuan Ngo, and me!

Today was an important meeting day for MEMO board members going on the 6G trip. We had decided earlier this week to meet over breakfast at Brodard Restaurant in Garden Grove to go over our plans for the mission trip. As the mission trip date draws nearer, there were a lot of details about logistics and organization that we needed to smooth out before MEMO 6G heads to Vietnam. Today was the day that we finalize everything.

 I rushed from my home in LA to OC but still arrived a bit late. I walked into the restaurant and found everyone at the table already in an excited discussion about goals and ideas for 6G. I have to admit that I have been fairly anxious about this trip. Though 6G will be my third MEMO mission, I was still nervous about what to expect. As the meeting went on however, I felt more and more at ease and then excited about our plans. We talked about everything that happens in the twelve days between our arrival in Vietnam to our departure, including the delivery of the supplies for the hospital, visiting the orphanages and school, as well as setting up our clinics. Everyone had really good input about how to make the trip even more successful than those of years past. We also made plans to implement new ideas (ie. GEMO!) to improve MEMObers' experiences on the mission trip. After the meeting ended, Andrew, Tuan, and I ran some errands around town and picked up a few surprise gifts on the way.

A trip to US Tours with Andrew and Tuan

A sneak peek at one of the new 6G surprises!

As the day of 6G meetings and errands came to an end, I couldn't help but feel excited. It has really been an honor to work alongside such a hardworking and dedicated group. I find myself continually inspired by my fellow board members and their passion for MEMO. Especially after today, I am confident that 6G will be a success, and I cannot wait to see the product of all the hard work MEMO and its board members have put in all year come into play in Vietnam!

Cecilia

Inventory Day and Training Day Raised MEMObers' Excitement for the Upcoming Medical Mission Trip

Written by Tuan Nguyen

June 17. Inventory Day.

School is out and summer has arrived once again. On the first few days of summer, MEMObers from three chapters UCLA, UCI, and UCSD gathered together to sort medical supplies to bring back to Vietnam on the upcoming medical mission trip.  Each year, medical supplies were donated to a hospital in Vietnam, toys were given to orphanages, and school supplies awarded to elementary school students. To carry all of this to Vietnam, every MEMObers going on the medical mission sacrificed one of their two luggages to carry a box of supply. To prepare these boxes ready for the trip, we set out a day called Inventory Day to supply

            I stepped into the Nguyen family’s house that morning, trying to avoid stacks and stacks of catheters and laparoscopic materials lying on the ground. Though it was only 9 AM, a time where many of us would be sleeping in to celebrate the start of summer, many MEMObers were already present at the house and working diligently on different projects.

            In one corner, Ken, William and Theresa were sorting school supplies and placed them into backpacks for the scholarship students. Outside in the backyard, Stephanie, Alex, and Bryant focused on cutting new boxes to fit catheters. In another corner, Natalie and Catie were busy with inputting all the supply counts into their laptops.

MEMObers working hard. Back: Ken, Co Kim, Theresa, William, and Jonathan. Front: Catie, David, Catherine. Photo Courtesy of Steven Pham.

            Though the house was packed with supplies, it was even more packed with the amazing drive and enthusiasm that this group of students put in just to help out the unfortunate in Vietnam. These medical supplies will be used to help the University Hospital in Saigon, Vietnam be able to help more people efficiently. We finished packing about 40 boxes by around 2:30 PM. Thank you to everyone that came and help out. I cannot wait to see what else this amazing group can accomplish within the next few weeks.

June  24. Training Day.

            With the 6^th medical mission (referred to as 6G by MEMObers) approaching in less than two weeks, MEMObers gathered again for a training day, where various presentations were given by doctors on a variety of medical procedures to help students acquainted with them. In Vietnam, where temporary clinics will be set up in rural areas to help villagers, MEMObers will be assisting these medical professionals with these procedures, and therefore understanding them is essential for the upcoming trip. The students paid close attention as the doctors went over the basic concepts of EKG, Ultrasound, and measuring blood pressure. In addition, Dr. Timothy Bui, also offered additional training for students who will be assisting him in the dental service that he will bring to Vietnam this year.

            Next, the MEMO board quickly went over a few survival tips, which included but not limited to dress codes, what to pack, and the schedule of the trip. Looking at the MEMObers, everyone seemed extremely excited for the upcoming trip. Finally, the team was divided into 4 teams, where they will be working closely together in Vietnam. This year, the team was modeled after the TV Show Avatar: The Last Airbender, and team were split into team Water, Fire, Earth, and Air. The group was extremely ecstatic to be with their new team. They may be working as teams for now, but I cannot wait for this group to grow into a family in the next few weeks in Vietnam.

Listening to presentations by the doctors: From Left to Right: Natalie, Catie, Long, me, Andrew, Dr. Duy Nguyen and his colleague. Photo Courtesy of Steven Pham.

Such intense concentration from MEMObers. Photo Courtesy of Steven Pham.