The Garden City Telegram
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Program enables all to get immunizations
Published 10/24/2007 in News : Area coverage By Rachel Davis
Everardo Balderrama of Garden City wants the best for his son, Jesus -- it's just affording the best that causes the problem.
When it comes to health care, Balderrama has few choices.
He said his employer, Garden Grove Properties, doesn't offer health benefits but his son needs his shots to stay healthy.
Trudy Ortman had never worked in public health until she took the job as immunizations coordinator for United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries. Her first day was Monday.
Ortman had worked as a registered nurse for the Community Hospital in St. John, Ind., for 19 years before moving to Garden City to be closer to family.
But on Oct. 22, Balderrama and Ortman met for the first time.
She was there to administer a flu shot, but to Balderrama her service was much more than that.
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Immunization Coordinator Trudy Ortman. left and Immunization Clerk Maricella Baltazar sit in the United Methodist Mexican-American Ministires immunization office on Monday.
"This program is important because I don't want Jesus to get sick," Balderrama said through an intrepreter. "If it is possible for me to bring him here for care, I will."
Through the UMMAM Immunizations Program, children like Jesus are able to receive their immunizations for $1 a shot.
Penny Schwab, executive director for UMMAM, said the program is funded through the Finney County United Way.
This year, the program received $23,000 from United Way.
The United Way is a nonprofit organization that provides funding for local agencies.
Schwab said the program also received $4,000 as part of a community match through Smart Start of Southwest Kansas.
She said the United Way funding helps cover the expenses of salary of the immunization nurse, providing outreach services and record keeping.
"The United Way funding is critical for this program," Schwab said. "I am extremely grateful for it."
The program immunized more than 4,000 children in 2006.
Schwab said the program has clinics in Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal and Ulysses but also has a part-time setup in Satanta and Johnson City.
Other outreach areas include USD 457 and USD 363 and Victor Ornelas Elementary School every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m.
Ortman said she plans on staying in Garden City and said she is looking forward to meeting and keeping her patients.
"I'm impressed with the programs they have here for children and the city is very family-oriented," she said. "And maybe I'll get to know my patients especially if they keep coming back."
The United Way's annual fundraising drive, with a goal of $550,000, ends Nov. 1.
In addition to UMMAM, the United Way assists the following agencies: Finney County Retired & Volunteer Program Inc.; Garden City Family YMCA; Russell Child Development Center; Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association; United Methodist Mexican American Ministries Clinic; United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney County; Community Day Care; Girl Scouts of Tumbleweed Council; Kansas Children's Service League Head Start; Santa Fe Trail Council Boy Scouts; Smart Start; Youthscape; American Red Cross; Catholic Social Service; Emmaus House; Family Crisis Services Inc.; Spirit of the Plains, CASA Inc.; The Salvation Army; and Meals on Wheels.
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