One weekend late last summer, the University of Arizona Undergraduate Biology Research Program Director, Carol Bender, organized a tree-planting trip to Mount Lemmon. That Saturday, our job was to plant 400-plus ponderosa pine seedlings in areas that were burned in the 2003 Aspen fire.

As I was planting trees in a small valley, Carol had started talking with the owner of a (rebuilt) cabin that bordered the area that we were reforesting. Carol called out to me from across the valley, "Laura, meet Dr. Kartchner. You two should talk." So we did, planting trees as we went. Dr. Kartchner shared his experiences as a physician, and I talked about my interest in studying to become one. He also talked about volunteer work that he does as a surgeon, in South America and in Mexico. He told me that the group working in Mexico was called the Flying Samaritans (Flying Sams).

Despite my limited medical experience and even more limited Spanish, Dr. Kartchner thought that I might be able to contribute something to the clinics held in Mexico by the Flying Sams. In December, I accompanied the group to El Rosario, where they hold a monthly free clinic.

The town of El Rosario does have physicians, however, access to their services is limited by ability to pay or employment. There is no dentist in the town or access nearby. The Flying Samaritans constructed their own clinic building in the town, and each month two dentists, a physician (or two), nurses, dental hygienists, and interpreters conduct the clinic. Occasionally, chiropractors and even acupuncturists volunteer their services. There are always enough patients to fill a full day of medical and dental work plus a half-day of dental work.

Leaving the Tucson airport at first light in a 6-seater plane, we arrived in Puerto Peñasco mid-morning for the customs inspection. We were at the clinic by noon, where we met dentists and translators who had arrived the previous day. At the clinic, I helped here and there, counting pills in the pharmacy, handing out Christmas presents, and even assisting the dentist as he filled in a cavity. Hopefully, as my Spanish improves, I'll be able to do more.

Near the end of the day, I rode with my pilot Wally Austin and his wife Judy down to meet Mama Espinoza, the local legend and inspiration, the founding member of Flying Samaritans. She recalls crank starting the Studebaker to drive up to the plateau and rescue the American pilots who were to be the first Flying Samaritans. The very first medical visit by an American doctor in El Rosario was conducted on her kitchen table. A true matriarch, Mama Espinoza is vibrant and full of warmth, not to mention, at 99, the oldest person that I have ever met. Meeting her and hearing about her life and accomplishments was inspiring.

In February, I conducted a survey of patients and families at the clinic to determine their interests and needs in the area of health education. It seems that there is a great need for basic information about good nutrition, first aid, and what constitutes an emergency. The community also overwhelmingly said that they preferred to learn though watching videos, which presents some logistical problems. Most education materials in the near future will be verbal presentations and written materials, with more video coming at a later time.

Also in February, we asked the patients what they thought of a mural for the clinic waiting area. The support for the project was unanimous. The designing artist for the mural will be my husband, Marc Parenteau. We are going to El Rosario in May to sketch it out, and then in August, community members and Flying Sams will help to paint the mural. The mural design will incorporate some health ideas, so that it can aid in education for people coming to the clinic.

Flying Samaritans can always use the help of physicians, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, translators, and others. The Tucson chapter holds monthly clinics in El Rosario and Laguna San Ignacio, Mexico. There may even be a University of Arizona chapter getting off the ground soon, though this group will probably more aptly be called the "Driving Samaritans." To get more information, visit: http://www.flyingsamaritans.org/arizona/web/index.html.

Laura Goodman, UBRPer in Dr. Iman Hakim's laboratory, Public Health