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Volunteer
Profile
Name: Gina Amalfitano
Occupation: Physician- Internal Medicine
Favorite Activities: Traveling, hanging out
with my family, figure skating, being outdoors, listening to
music, visiting Grace Care Center/Mercy Home
Favorite Color: Cobalt blue
Favorite Quote: “Injustice anywhere
is a threat to justice everywhere” – Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr
Biggest Bummer(s): Two terms of Dick Cheney
and George W. Bush; their inexcusable abandonment of New Orleans
(and other ruins) in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita;
the collapse of the cease fire and peace process in Sri Lanka
Number of Grace Visits: Three. February 2005,
August 2005, February 2006.
Compare the realization of Mercy Home with the original
concept: Rev. Jeyanesan provided the conceptual blueprint
for Mercy Home: as I understood it, this was to be a hospice
for orphaned, impoverished elders of all backgrounds and faiths,
facing the end of their lives. I envisioned something more
hospital-like, filled with frail and very sick elders who would
need complete personal care. Initially, when Cheryl Huckins
and I partnered to take on this project, we made decisions
and procured resources based on that conceptual model.
As it turned out, the home for elders is mostly populated with
people who, although they have chronic conditions and need medical
attention, aren’t bedridden. Some of the elders are very
spry, and some of them aren’t all that old. Hence the character
of the place is more home-like than hospice-like. With the dormitory
set-up, the communal dining, and all the various activities it
almost feels like a really nice camp for grown-ups who get to
stay forever. It’s a very nice place to be (a bed is on
hold for me for when my time comes). The (generally) peaceful
coexistence of residents and staff from different ethnic and
faith backgrounds is amazing given that the place is filled with
folks who are lively and opinionated.
Elders’ engaging withthe Grace girls and day care kids
was an aspect of the “original concept” that was
slow to develop but has, over time, blossomed into something
wonderful.
The directors, Hiram and Angela, and the staff have appropriately
assumed “ownership” of Mercy Home and Clinic. Dr.
Huckins has done and continues to do a fantastic job as long-distance
medical director. Our first attending physician, Dr. Satharan,
contributed so much to the professional development of the staff
and cared so compassionately for the elders; he is sorely missed.
Diane McLaughlin’s leadership has encouraged both stability
and progress. I am grateful and I hope for continued success
and for peace.
Favorite memories of Grace/Mercy Home: Working
on-site with Cheryl in February ’05 when the building wasn’t even finished...
August ’05 with Tara Rondy and Karrie Sutton- making training sessions
fun, smashing roaches in the exam rooms, seeing those two figure out what they
should be doing- and then watching them do it! Meeting, walking and talking
with Mr. Gandhi... Getting the Grace girls and the elders together for their
first impromptu meeting... Working with Dr. “Satha”... Hanging
out with Hiram- and Angela... “Sari night” with Angela and the
staff... February ’06 tea in the activities room with the elders and
the girls...training sessions with the staff... first beach adventure with
elders... watching the elders and day care kids visit
Oddest Experience(s): 1. February 2005- six weeks after the
tsunami- the barnacle encrusted, unpaired flip flops washed up on the beach.
2. A scene at Trincomalee General Hospital: Army officer seated on bench outside
Admitting with AK 47 lying across his lap. On the wall behind him a sign was
posted declaring “no weapons allowed” 3. Every encounter with monkeys.
4. Several Tuk Tuk rides. 5. Clothed in sari and heels and having to run.
Hope
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Review | Volunteer Profile
