On March 17th our speaker: Dr. Mike Mallahan, audiologist par excellence, is wholly committed to an endeavor that brings the prospect of a better life for many.

It concerns hearing loss and its prevention. It involves screening of infants for deafness. It is known that, if the defect extends beyond two years, a child will never catch up and will face a disadvantaged lifetime. Dr. Mallahan has taken his skills, along with those of a corps of associates, to Guatemala. Allied with him are local Rotary clubs and fueling the process are Rotary grants.

In rural areas, where medical facilities and personnel are sparse, he has held screenings of newborns where, indeed, absence of hearing can be detected. At as early a stage as possible, they are fitted with hearing aids. Audiology technicians volunteer to fly in and aid in the screenings. They, in turn, train local personnel in the techniques. He gave three case histories in which children were rescued from deafness and its consequences. These represent a microcosm of the successes that are occurring. It is hoped that ophthalmologists will join the project. For the future, he envisions:

• A Global Grant to fund more newborn screenings
• More partner Rotary clubs to aid in funding
• More audiology training and equipment to be financed
• Ongoing surgical and medical supply needs to be met
• Expansion to other Spanish-speaking countries.

Comment: As we often observe, to do a little bit at a time helps make the world a better place. Dedication and its results have a way of expanding. We have witnessed this phenomenon in a number of previous addresses to our club.

Jim Lambright was installed as a new  member of the University Sunrise Rotary Club. He is a former member of the Marysville Rotary Club.

Jim had an illustrious career at the University of Washington where he lettered in football his last two playing years, was named  All Conference , All Coast, and Most Inspirational player, voted on by his peers.  Jim coached and taught school in Fife before returning to the University of Washington football program as a coach where he remained for 34 years.  He coached in  394 games; 8 Rose bowls along with 20 other bowl games; participated in two national championships, one as a player and one as a coach, winning 67% of those games.

Jim has two adult  children , Eric and Christine both of whom live in the area.  He has six grandchildren. Dr Hal Ellner will be Jim’s Rotary sponsor. Welcome Coach Lambright!

It is the beginning of the school year in Guatemala and three new elementary schools are starting this school year (school years go from January to November in Guatemala) full of excitement, with new equipment and the potential that this collaboration with TINFA and with its network of schools and teachers will bring.

These new partners are elementary schools in the Retalhuleu region of Guatemala. They are in the same region the existing ones in their 2nd and 3rd year program, strengthening the collaboration among teachers.

We are exited about closing the loop on this 3 year model, with school partners in year 1, year 2 and year 3. It is going to be a busy year for TINFA and the teachers. It is going to be some fun and deep learning for the students!

On January 28th, University Sunrise Rotary presented TINFA presented with a generous check of $16,500 for the project in Guatemala.

This was a team effort lead by the University Sunrise (kudos to Mike, Lee, Tim, Ricky and all the members), in partnership with the University Rotaract, the Mill Creek Rotary, the Guatemala Rotary del Este, as well as a generous matching from the District. What an impressive piece of work, and what an impact by the Rotary!  This grant will provide all the equipment, the training and the support for one new school entering in collaboration with TINFA this year, as well as the training and the support for one school on their second year of collaboration.

Our speaker February 4th was Dr. Stanley Stamm, pioneer in cardiology at Children’s Hospital. He gave a concise history of the specialty at that institution. He participated in its growth to its present state, a mecca for sick children from points near and distant. There is now a large staff of pediatric cardiologists in place, as well as three fulltime cardiac surgeons. They are steadily at work. Their success record in heart surgery, particularly transplants, is exemplary.

He also mentioned the summer camp that bears his name, which he originated years ago. Located near Mr. Rainier, it provides a week of recreation for sick children, inclusive of the seriously ill. They enjoy swimming, horseback transport, games, and do their own skits. Dr. Stamm mentions that, even in cases of children on respirators, horseback rides are provided. Special needs such as diabetes are carefully planned in advance. The endeavor requires volunteers who must do strenuous work. The children are monitored on at least a 3-1 ratio. Some 200 volunteers regularly attend.

Dr. Stamm, although retired, remains active at Children’s, attending a few meetings a week. Quite obviously, his voice is heard and respected. Residencies and fellowships are integral parts of the teaching program.

Comment: Many of those at Children’s as well as numerous teachers and practitioners locally and around the country are Dr. Stamm’s trainees. This confers on him an immortality in his own time and beyond. His residents not only experienced his teaching, but accompanied him in runs, swimming, skiing, and probably more. Anecdotes in numbers resulted from this. Finally, could there be a better place to consider allocating some funds than Dr. Stamm’s camp?