Optometry Giving Back

This past weekend I had the privilege of accompanying the Flying Samaritans from CSU Fullerton and UC Riverside down to Mexico to serve at a free health clinic.

It was an incredible experience and above all, a great reminder of why we chose to be healthcare providers in the first place.  The root reason that each of us chose a profession in healthcare is this:  to serve people.  On this trip, I was surrounded by 40 pre-health students and doctors that were committed to that very mission- to give up their

The root reason that each of us chose a profession in healthcare is this:  to serve people.  On this trip, I was surrounded by 40 pre-health students and doctors that were committed to that very mission- to give up their Saturday, their comfort, their sleep, and offer their expertise in order to serve the surrounding community of El Hongo, Mexico.

From the outside, the building appears as just a local community center- kids playing outside on the see-saw, a kitchen to serve food for local gatherings, a donation center where families can receive food or toys.  However, every 3rd Saturday of the month this community center is transformed into a multi-disciplinary, professional health clinic.

Nurses, EMTs and premed students first triage the patients, taking their vitals, blood pressure, and recording their medical history.

Depending on their needs, patients are then sent to visit with the physician for health counseling, to the pharmacy for medications or vitamins, to optometry for eye care, and to dentistry for dental care. Blood glucose testing and blood pressure screenings are especially important since diabetes and high blood pressure are among the most prevalent conditions found in this population.

As for the optometry sector of this month’s clinic, we were able to check the health of 25 patients’ eyes and dispense glasses to 20 of them.  Many of them were happy to go home with a free pair of glasses and better vision than when they came to us.

I want to commend all of the doctors and students who so faithfully serve at this clinic every month and especially those who have been doing it tirelessly for the past 10 years.  It was truly a testament of selflessness and I was humbled to see the capacity at which these doctors and students were willing to serve.

As healthcare professionals, we have a duty to use our skills and knowledge for good.  Our motivation for going through 8+ years of schooling, grueling exams, sleepless nights, and endless hours of practice- is not for the glory or for the paycheck.  It is for the driving purpose to serve others.

I was reminded of that during this trip and was humbled to see how many doctors and students still hold on to that purpose.

If you would like to learn more about the Flying Samaritans or would like to get involved with the club, please visit their website.

I also want to commend our staff member Jaime for his dedication and leadership in keeping the optometry sector running at this clinic.  Thanks Jaime for inviting me to join alongside this incredible group of people!

I highly encourage everyone to get involved with a mission organization such as the Flying Samaritans.  We need to stay committed to serving others and bring healthcare to those who don’t have the luxuries that we have here in Costa Mesa.

Dr. Lam