DIGITAL EDITION No. 308 March 13, 2019  EDITOR: Layne Bowen PHOTOGRAPHER: Elizabeth Karbousky & Nicole Le PUBLISHER: Richard Lazovick

Our Program For Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Achon Uganda Children’s Fund

Mike Fee

Mike Fee is a President of the Board of Directors of Achon Uganda Children’s Fund, a small non-profit organization co-founded by Mike’s father Jim, and by Julius Achon, an Olympic runner from Uganda. 

As a boy, Julius was abducted by Joseph Kony’s army and forced to fight as a boy soldier. He escaped — literally ran away — and went on to become Uganda’s best runner in a generation, captaining two Olympic teams, and setting the NCAA record in the 800, having received a track scholarship to James Mason University. Today Julius serves as a member of Parliament in Uganda, representing his  impoverished and war-torn home region. 

Mike will speak about his experience with AUCF, starting with his father’s friendship with Julius, the organization’s growth — thanks largely to support from different Rotary chapters — and the impact that it is having today, through its rural health clinic and microfinance program.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Wednesday March 27, 2019: Transcendence Theater – Stephan Stubbins

UPCOMING SOCIALS

Aug. 19-26, 2019 – Rotary Rhine River Cruise
The cruise is sold out. Those still interested may place their names on a waiting list.
                 Click here  for pricing, itinerary, etc.
                 Click here for flyer.
                 For more information contact Eva Atkin.

USEFUL LINKS

Visit our district at: http://www.rotary5130.org
Check out Rotary International at: http://www.rotary.org
Come see us at: http://rotarymeansbusiness

Opening Ceremonies

Pledge: Lena Humber
Reflection: Carolyn Fassi shared an Irish Blessing.

Guests

Former SR Rotarian Mark Tate, Laurentus Martano, Tamira Gullium. Karen Ball brought her grandson and Nicole Le brought her son, Michael. 

Visiting Rotarians

None present today

Sunshine

Dick Jenkin’s wife has passed away. 
Bob Sorenson is moving to the East Bay.

Raffle

Dan Balfe presided over today’s raffle. Chuck Bartley had the right ticket but drew the wrong marble.

  

Announcements

  • Ann Gospe warned that she will be hitting you up to volunteer at Giro Bello.
  • Ray Giampaoli asked for Rotarians to get sponsorships and do business with those sponsors.
  • Get those flyers out to the bike shops and gyms!
  • Pete Lescure needs fellowship volunteers.

Paul Harris Presentations

Kim Graves and Dan Balfe presented PH Awards to the following Rotarians: Nicole Le, Craig Meltzner, Julia Parranto, Kris Anderson, Cathy Vicini and Karen Ball.

New Member Craft Talk

Mary Graves gave a craft talk in her return to our club. She was a member of our club over a decade, went off to start a club in Rohnert Park. Now, she returns to our club. Mary was the child of an active Rotarian in Ohio. Mary married a Rotarian and became a “Rotary Ann” in southern CA, then moved to Sebastopol. After her divorce, she became a real Rotarian, joining our club. At this point Ryan RE presented a student recognition award to Mary’s daughter Brooke who lost her original 1993 award to the fire in Fountaingrove. 

Program

Former Rotary Club of Santa Rosa member, Dr. Barry Silberg was introduced by Kathleen Archer. Dr. Silberg came to Santa Rosa in 1979 after starting the Plastic Surgery residency program at UC Davis as the first Chief Resident.  He does both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and is an active member of the trauma team at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.  Dr. Silberg has travelled with Rotaplast to repair cleft lips and cleft palates, has published papers and written chapters in plastic surgery, lectured and been a guest surgeon at major meetings in Europe, Asia, and South America.  Dr. Silberg holds patents on new surgical devices and techniques.  He is CEO of Sonescence, Inc.

Dr. Silberg noted that diabetes is the most common cause of leg amputation and shared some rather unappetizing photos of foot and leg wounds frequently suffered by diabetics.  90% of amputations in diabetics are instigated by an infection.  Decreased circulation means antibiotics can not get where they are needed and giving an antibiotic intravenously means it is diluted by the entire body.  Millions of people with circulation problems suffer from painful chronic wounds that do not heal because are colonized by bacteria. Ultrasonic Drug Dispersion delivers an antibiotic independent of blood supply in a concentration high enough to be able to treat even the most antibiotic resistant bacteria.  Cefazolin, a very commonly used antibiotic is now effective against the most resistant strains of MRSA with the concentration delivered by this new method.  

Dr. Silberg said that after treating over 175 patients and a successful F.D.A. clinical trial on patients who had failed all standard treatments, his company is about to begin a phase 2 clinical trial at USC. If the before/after photos are any indication, he has come up with a revolutionary new treatment that is apparently very successful in healing these diabetic infections. A very interesting and informative program.

Governor, District 5130

Barb Spangler, Valley of the Moon Rotary Club

 

 

 

 

Attendance Secretary

Debi Zaft P.O. Box 505 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Board of Directors

Club Service I, Membership, Ryan Thomas
Club Service II, Club Meetings, Jeff Kolin
Club Service III, Fundraising, Steve Baime
Club Service IV, Member Activities, Anne Gospe
Club Service V, Information Technology and Records, Brandon Urich
Community Service I, Member Involvement, Andrea Geary
Community Service II, Youth, Laura Held
Vocational Service, Carolyn Fassi
International Service, Peter Holewinski