Health Center Report
July 1, 1976-1977
This is a continuation of our project to reprint the content of KKV’s early annual reports and to document the history of our organization.
Interior of the original KKV Dental trailer.
In the 1976-77 Annual Report, KKV introduced a new section reporting on the Health Center activities. This is a reprint of the content for the first report.
“Never before in our history have we been able to exert as concerted an effort in delivering services as in FY ’76-’77. However, as the year ended program continuity became a vital concern with the uncertainty of continued SCET funding for our dental hygienist, dental assistant, lab technician and lab assistant.
The visible increase of patients and staff added another concern about the adequacy of our physical facilities. We provided services to members of 338 families: 123 Filipino; 27 Korean; 117 Samoan; 20 Indo-Chinese; 51 Other. Members of 200 families received medical services; 182 dental services; 67 women for Women's Health Clinic; 108 Parasite Identification & Treatment Program. Also a mid-year count revealed a total of 1,500 medical and 950 dental records.
Dental Clinic. Dental services were maximized in March, 1977 with the hiring of a full-time dentist, Arne Koch, and SCET-funded dental hygienist, Cindy Cook. Prior to this dental treatment services were only available three times a week, and since September ‘76 there were no dental hygiene services available with the departure of our former full-time hygienist.
In the meantime, the Plaque Control Program in the three local elementary schools continued through the effort of Motusaga Samoa, our dental assistant who saw over 1,000 students.
Medical Clinic. In September, 1976 Women's Health Education (including pap smears and breast exams) was begun by the Women's Health Center and our community aides, Yolanda Padua and Violeta Ancheta, who uncovered a need voiced by the Filipino women of this community. As an added boost, Jane Fyrberg, M.D. began volunteering for general medical services two Fridays per month in November. In February, 1977 a foundation-funded, joint-program with the Women's Health Center and Waikiki Health Center began. Peggy Barrett, Physician’s Assistant-Women's Health Care Specialist, initiated day time services -- Thursday A.M. and all day Friday.
The Parasite Identification & Treatment Program achieved the following during this fiscal year:
Total no. of Participating Families 108
Total no. of Specimen Collected 623
Positive Findings (12-mo. avg.) 38%
The implementation of the program involves many staff members: (1) Community Aides to inform families of this service, issue specimen containers, and pick-up of specimen from families lacking transportation. (2) SCET-funded Lab Tech. and Lab Assistant, Kyong Yang and Yolanda Padua, to process the specimen, record findings, report positive findings to the physician, and maintain recall lists. (3) The medical clinic staff to provide treatment, explain medications, provide any additional education, and possibly request special follow-up by the Community Aide. Obviously this is a project requiring much cooperation among staff and the family involved.
In addition, the Public Health Nurses referred residents who have been found positive by the State Health Laboratory, but lack a regular physician and/or the financial ability for treatment.
The most frequent findings are Trichuris Trichiuria and Ascaris Lumbricoides best treated by a medication, which is cost prohibitive to a large, financially-needy family. Dr. Tom Leland, volunteer M.D. took on the responsibility of writing to Ortho Pharmaceutical Co., and was able to obtain donated medication.
The medical clinic continues to provide ENT, Pediatric, General Medical, and Mental Health Services by appointment; EPSDT and other physical exams; routine lab work; and continues to work closely with the Lanakila Public Health Nursing Branch and School Health Aides in the community.
A special acknowledgement is made to medical student, Steve Fujiwara, who arranged his class schedule to gain the optimum exposure to the medical clinic during the past year, and the assistance of his fellow students Paul Hino, Wesley Hirano, and James Tom.
