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.