Member Activities

Medical Volunteering

Other Volunteering and Activism

Other Fun Activities

Our members participate in a wide range of activities, both medical and non-medical, often as volunteers. Some we've highlighted in past issues of our newsletter as noted below. Members - we invite you to send in anything about one of your activities, as little as a single note or photo, or as much as a full story, and we'll be glad to include it. If nothing else, it's a great way to get some publicity for your organization.

Medical Volunteering

RPA members have volunteered locally and around the world: 

Featured
Debra Cohen
Debra Cohen

Debra Cohen has volunteered in multiple developing countries with several organizations. More recently she works with the MAVEN (Medical Alumni Volunteer Expert Network) Project which connects seasoned clinicians, through telemedicine, with doctors and nurse practitioners in Federal Qualified Health Clinics across the country. The volunteer clinicians offer advisory consults, education and mentoring. Volunteers work from home and work a minimum of four hours per month. Visit https://www.mavenproject.org/.

Gail Wagner
Gail Wagner

Gail Wagner has done volunteer work in Kenya with the Tiba Foundation, a comprehensive community health care system caring for about 250,000 people, which she helped build literally from scratch in partnership with the local people and the Kenyan government. Tiba Foundation is now looking for volunteers interested in helping teach clinicians in the clinics and nursing school in Kenya. See http://www.tibafoundation.org/.

Nina Schwartz
Nina Schwartz

Volunteer at Clinic by the Bay and San Francisco Free Clinic

Greg Shay has been on multiple missions overseas.
Greg Shay has been on multiple missions overseas.

He’s traveled at his own expense with medical teams — composed primarily of Christians and Muslims — to places such as Cameroon, Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, Bangladesh, and Turkey, He plans to serve in Vietnam, and hopes to continue this work as long as he is able.

Jan Herr volunteers at the Rotacare Richmond Women's Clinic - "I would be thrilled if more volunteers would sign on to work with me."
Jan Herr volunteers at the Rotacare Richmond Women's Clinic - "I would be thrilled if more volunteers would sign on to work with me."

She also teaches ob/gyn topics and skills to med students as part of the UCSF Volunteer Clinical Faculty AND serves with Health Volunteers Overseas. Jan is next scheduled for three weeks of clinical teaching at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Vietnam in 12/2018.


Michael Cooper has traveled to Israel twice a year for 15 years to provide pediatric cardiology service to Palestinian refugee children.
Michael Cooper has traveled to Israel twice a year for 15 years to provide pediatric cardiology service to Palestinian refugee children.

He's also published two historical novels and is working on his third, all centered in the Middle East, and founded a support group here for the families of children facing heart surgery..

<buildmyheart.org>

Helen O'Keeffe Vajk has been on multiple overseas missions with Rotaplast, here shown in Ethiopia.
Helen O'Keeffe Vajk has been on multiple overseas missions with Rotaplast, here shown in Ethiopia.

rotaplast.org

Jim Breivis (r) in Bhutan with Health Volunteers Overseas (Summer 2013). Jim has also written of his many other travels -
Jim Breivis (r) in Bhutan with Health Volunteers Overseas (Summer 2013). Jim has also written of his many other travels -

Malaysia, Romania, Great Britain to the continent, the Middle East (Spring 2011, Fall 2013, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016).

Richard Godfrey has performed surgery on 10 trips to Kenya (Winter 2014) and treated Ebola in Sierra Leone (Summer 2015). Here's an Ebola team in personal protective equipment.
Richard Godfrey has performed surgery on 10 trips to Kenya (Winter 2014) and treated Ebola in Sierra Leone (Summer 2015). Here's an Ebola team in personal protective equipment.

He recommends the Tiba Foundation for its good work. 

www.TibaFoundation.org

Jeff Dieden is with Contra Costa County Medical Reserve Corps. They attend training meetings; mentor students about health careers; teach CPR & earthquake preparedness; staff booths at fairs.
Jeff Dieden is with Contra Costa County Medical Reserve Corps. They attend training meetings; mentor students about health careers; teach CPR & earthquake preparedness; staff booths at fairs.

www.cchealth.org/mrc

Bob Hoffman with a young trauma victim in Jordan, while serving with Doctors Without Borders (Spring 2015).
Bob Hoffman with a young trauma victim in Jordan, while serving with Doctors Without Borders (Spring 2015).

http://www.msf.org/ 

Bob has also been the co-ordinator for Health Volunteers Overseas https://hvousa.org/ in Bhutan.

Ken Sanders has served with Mercy Ships, which sends a hospital ship to desperately underserved areas along the African coast.
Ken Sanders has served with Mercy Ships, which sends a hospital ship to desperately underserved areas along the African coast.

www.mercyships.org

Joe Mason volunteers with TheSecondOpinion, SF (Spring 2016).
Joe Mason volunteers with TheSecondOpinion, SF (Spring 2016).

www.thesecondopinion.org

Lew Nederberg has served in Guyana, Cambodia, Uganda, and Bhutan with Health Volunteers Overseas. This is a clinic in Nicaragua (Summer 2014).
Lew Nederberg has served in Guyana, Cambodia, Uganda, and Bhutan with Health Volunteers Overseas. This is a clinic in Nicaragua (Summer 2014).

He finds serving overseas very rewarding, despite the difficulties.

Chuck Clemons (2nd from left) with team fighting sexual abuse in Zambia (Spring 2013).
Chuck Clemons (2nd from left) with team fighting sexual abuse in Zambia (Spring 2013).
Richard Gaskill performs laser tattoo removal on gang members through the Clean Slate Program at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
Richard Gaskill performs laser tattoo removal on gang members through the Clean Slate Program at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

Dick also enjoys photography, takes classes at Santa Clara University, and writes poetry (Summer 2016).

David Lakes at RotaCare in San Rafael (Fall 2013).
David Lakes at RotaCare in San Rafael (Fall 2013).
Dave Williams volunteers at La Clinica in Vallejo.
Dave Williams volunteers at La Clinica in Vallejo.
George Monteverdi donates his time and expertise to improve health care in Napa County schools and encourages you to get involved in your area (Summer 2013).
George Monteverdi donates his time and expertise to improve health care in Napa County schools and encourages you to get involved in your area (Summer 2013).
Greg Denari offers medical opinions via CrowdMed - an online site where patients with difficult diagnoses seek new ideas.
Greg Denari offers medical opinions via CrowdMed - an online site where patients with difficult diagnoses seek new ideas.

He offers his suggestions without expecting compensation, but does own a very small share in the company as their medical advisor. 

www.crowdmed.com

He also recommends Watsi as a nonprofit that provides medical services in the Third World. https://watsi.org

Richard Fleming is active in the struggle against domestic violence.
Richard Fleming is active in the struggle against domestic violence.

www.thehotline.org

Gordon Manashil wrote about volunteering at RotaCare at San Rafael or 10 other Bay Area locations (Fall 2013).
Gordon Manashil wrote about volunteering at RotaCare at San Rafael or 10 other Bay Area locations (Fall 2013).

He hopes you'll consider volunteering with them  www.rotacarebayarea.org/  or another local organization of any type.

Jane Hewitt volunteers at RotaCare in Pittsburg, and says they can always use more help.
Jane Hewitt volunteers at RotaCare in Pittsburg, and says they can always use more help.

www.rotacarebayarea.org

Tom Gourley offers his time at the RotaCare Richmond free clinic.
Tom Gourley offers his time at the RotaCare Richmond free clinic.

 

Other Volunteering and Activism

Featured
Harvey Cain has bicycled thousands of miles to raise money to fight AIDS or support his college.
Harvey Cain has bicycled thousands of miles to raise money to fight AIDS or support his college.
Peter Sherris is president-elect of the Rotary Club of Oakland. He's also a prime mover of KinderPrep, a club project that supports transitional kindergartens throughout Oakland.
Peter Sherris is president-elect of the Rotary Club of Oakland. He's also a prime mover of KinderPrep, a club project that supports transitional kindergartens throughout Oakland.

https://www.oakland-rotary.org/

http://www.oaklandliteracycoalition.org/

July 30, 2018

Lee Ballance has participated in multiple long-distance bicycle rides to raise money and awareness to fight climate change.
Lee Ballance has participated in multiple long-distance bicycle rides to raise money and awareness to fight climate change.
Preston Maring has devoted much time and energy to helping bring better food and nutrition to underserved local areas.
Preston Maring has devoted much time and energy to helping bring better food and nutrition to underserved local areas.

He reported on this in the SF Medical Society Journal in 2013 - 

issuu.com/sfmedsociety/docs/2013_july-august/19?e=3533752/4147075

and he blogs with recipes at kp.org/farmersmarketrecipes

Eric Engelman is active in MedShare, where volunteers collect unneeded medical materials and help ship them to underserved areas around the world (Fall 2014).
Eric Engelman is active in MedShare, where volunteers collect unneeded medical materials and help ship them to underserved areas around the world (Fall 2014).

He was instrumental in the effort to salvage items from the then newly decommissioned Oakland Medical Center, recovering material filling 42 pallets and 20 larger cardboard containers in less than two days.   medshare.org

Bruce Burdick is an activist for protecting the environment and fighting climate change, among his many areas of concern (Summer 2014, Fall 2015).
Bruce Burdick is an activist for protecting the environment and fighting climate change, among his many areas of concern (Summer 2014, Fall 2015).
Bill Barnaby counts and studies raptors during fall migration at the annual hawk watch in Marin.
Bill Barnaby counts and studies raptors during fall migration at the annual hawk watch in Marin.

Bill's also traveled widely for bird watching. Golden Gate Raptor Observatory ggro.org for hawk watch info. 

Jeffrey Dieden helps out at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Jeffrey Dieden helps out at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.
Steve Henry is an avid photographer who donates some of his pictures for use by worthy organizations, and also volunteers at TheSecondOpinion.
Steve Henry is an avid photographer who donates some of his pictures for use by worthy organizations, and also volunteers at TheSecondOpinion.

His pictures have appeared in numerous publications including this newsletter. See more at http://www.flickr.com/photos/henryimages/  http://www.henryimages.net/contacts-and-links.html and  https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-henry-88b48312

Ken Berniker helps distribute food to needy recipients at the Richmond Emergency Food Pantry.
Ken Berniker helps distribute food to needy recipients at the Richmond Emergency Food Pantry.

He's also volunteering with Safe Time, a non-profit initiative to address homelessness in Contra Costa County. <safetimehost.org>

Other Fun Activities

Featured
Elizabeth Kass, MD, President, The Society of Medical Friends of Wine
Elizabeth Kass, MD, President, The Society of Medical Friends of Wine

The Society of Medical Friends of Wine (SMFW) was founded in 1939 by Leon D. Adams, a noted authority on the Wines of America. His vision for the society was to bring doctors from the Northern California area together in order to stimulate scientific research on wine, to develop an understanding of wine’s beneficial effects, and to foster the good fellowship associated with the proper use of wine.

Gerry Bourne is part of a pilot project supported by KP aimed at improving paid staffing at community health centers.
Gerry Bourne is part of a pilot project supported by KP aimed at improving paid staffing at community health centers.

He does outreach to retiring and already retired physicians, matches the physicians with the right clinics, and assures successful placements. The program is modeled on the successful Encore Fellowship program aimed at business people. Contact him at <ghwbourne55@gmail.com> if you or any of your colleagues are interested in the Encore Physician Program.

Dr. Bourne hopes to work with the Retired Physicians Association to enhance the Opportunities Overview page of our website so that it can be a robust repository for clinical and non clinical volunteer opportunities. Ultimately, he hopes these opportunities will be provided to late career TPMG Physicians to enhance retirement planning. The current Opportunities Overview page can be found at https://www.retiredphysiciansassn.org/overviewopportunities.

Art Bakal
Art Bakal

Art Bakal participates in the Encore Physicians Program, an organization that matches retired physicians to rewarding clinical roles in community health centers in Alameda, Contra Costa and the North Bay counties. The physicians are paid a stipend to provide direct patient care as well as mentoring younger physicians. Check out https://encore.org/encore-physicians-program/.

Bonnie Hamilton completed a training course and plans to run for elected office.
Bonnie Hamilton completed a training course and plans to run for elected office.
Diane Barnes writes and performs for the theater. Her one-woman show, "My Stroke of Luck" had an extended run in SF and hopefully will return in 2019.
Diane Barnes writes and performs for the theater. Her one-woman show, "My Stroke of Luck" had an extended run in SF and hopefully will return in 2019.

Check the Notices page for news of coming performances.

Barbara Livermore sings with the SF Bach choir.
Barbara Livermore sings with the SF Bach choir.

www.sfbach.org

David King is a bamboo enthusiast.
David King is a bamboo enthusiast.
Jim Lawrence grows walnuts and cherries, and also drives race cars.
Jim Lawrence grows walnuts and cherries, and also drives race cars.
Susan Lambert sings with a small group locally.
Susan Lambert sings with a small group locally.
Kris Steensma has collected vintage pottery for 25 years. Many of her pieces were on display at SFO's International Terminal in 2017.
Kris Steensma has collected vintage pottery for 25 years. Many of her pieces were on display at SFO's International Terminal in 2017.
Tom Snyder enjoys history, particularly of TPMG and naval medicine. His excerpts from John Smillie's history of the organization have appeared in numerous issues here.
Tom Snyder enjoys history, particularly of TPMG and naval medicine. His excerpts from John Smillie's history of the organization have appeared in numerous issues here.
Art Levit, keyboard, and Tom Gourley, bass, playing jazz in Albany
Art Levit, keyboard, and Tom Gourley, bass, playing jazz in Albany
Miller Wise plays guitar, mandolin, kazoo, and occasionally sings in the Jailhouse String Band.
Miller Wise plays guitar, mandolin, kazoo, and occasionally sings in the Jailhouse String Band.

The band includes a Wall 'o' Ukes (4 players), a fiddler, a mandolinist, and the Warden plays lap steel guitar with slide, washtub, or washboard. They won 3rd prize this year at the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention, String Band Contest! 

Miller has taken classes for several years with Suzy Thompson, who plays fiddle and sings like Ma Rainey. He calls her a treasure. She teaches fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and ukulele.

 

John Kaufmann recommends Rotary Club for the friendships he's made and the valuable work the club does worldwide.
John Kaufmann recommends Rotary Club for the friendships he's made and the valuable work the club does worldwide.

He's been on multiple overseas missions with them assisting in plastic surgery procedures.

Helen O'Keeffe Vajk loves the way barbell training increases her strength and endurance.
Helen O'Keeffe Vajk loves the way barbell training increases her strength and endurance.
Jerry Wagger has been collecting KP RWC history with Jay Whaley, Ted Cooper, Ed Sprague, Art Traum, Paul Feder and Peter Economus.
Jerry Wagger has been collecting KP RWC history with Jay Whaley, Ted Cooper, Ed Sprague, Art Traum, Paul Feder and Peter Economus.
Stephen Weiss is a serious photographer (Spring 2014). His work is at www.stephenweissphotography.com
Stephen Weiss is a serious photographer (Spring 2014). His work is at www.stephenweissphotography.com
Narayan Nayak is a stamp enthusiast as well as a photographer and painter (Winter 2015).
Narayan Nayak is a stamp enthusiast as well as a photographer and painter (Winter 2015).
Bob LaPerriere studies the history of California medicine and is the curator of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Med Society's Museum of Medical History.
Bob LaPerriere studies the history of California medicine and is the curator of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Med Society's Museum of Medical History.

http://www.ssvms.org/

Joe Rosenthal described his long fascination with maps (Summer 2013).
Joe Rosenthal described his long fascination with maps (Summer 2013).

Joe continues to donate and sell maps from his extensive collection. jhrantiquemaps@Yahoo.com

Mark Cohen has been on over 35 trips with Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel). Here, kayaking in the Salish Sea, Washington State (Fall 2013).
Mark Cohen has been on over 35 trips with Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel). Here, kayaking in the Salish Sea, Washington State (Fall 2013).

He's also been to New Zealand, Peru, Canada, and many parts of the US, among them.

Sally Cullen and her husband rented this RV and drove to Alaska. (Spring 2013)
Sally Cullen and her husband rented this RV and drove to Alaska. (Spring 2013)
RPA as a group, and members individually, contributed to the life-size sculpture of a nurse, commissioned by the alumni of the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing.
RPA as a group, and members individually, contributed to the life-size sculpture of a nurse, commissioned by the alumni of the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing.

The sculpture now stands at the entrance to the new Oakland Medical Center.

Jan Murota and Joan King-Angel sing in the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra.
Jan Murota and Joan King-Angel sing in the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra.

They perform major choral works with a full professional orchestra and soloists. Their gifted musical director is Ming Luke, see photo, Concerts are free. bcco.org

 

 

Robbie Pearl is now a best-selling author with his book,
Robbie Pearl is now a best-selling author with his book,

 Mistreated: Why We Think We’re Getting Good Healthcare – And Why We’re Usually Wrong

Sharon Levine has served on the Medical Board of California and many other advisory panels.
Sharon Levine has served on the Medical Board of California and many other advisory panels.
Bruce Blumberg is helping establish KP's new School of Medicine.
Bruce Blumberg is helping establish KP's new School of Medicine.

Bird watching: Ken Berniker enjoys bird watching by bicycle around the Bay Area, and has also traveled in the US and abroad for birding. Once, Ken unexpectedly found himself in the same birding group as Pansy Kwong, being driven across Texas from El Paso to San Antonio. Golden Gate Audubon Society goldengateaudubon.org is an excellent resource for classes and field trips.

Bridge: Ken Berniker is an avid player. You might find him playing online at <bridgebase.com> as kenbbb. 

Music: Mike Meehan has played in groups with other Vallejo area physicians for years. Jerome Nehemiah is in a saxophone quartet and a jazz septet.