Biomed Volunteer Gives MedShare His Summer and Gets a Jump Start to His Senior Year

Robert at work on a vital signs monitor.

Robert Charkowicz, a 20 year old college student from Castro Valley, CA, volunteered for the summer at MedShare’s Western Region Distribution and Volunteer Center. Robert, who is studying Biomedical Engineering at UC Davis, spent 2-3 days a week this summer working in the Biomedical Lab.  Adept with the computer Robert assisted with the Biomedical Publications Library establishing a naming/organizational structure for operation and maintenance publications. He researched equipment publications on line to find repair information and resources increasing our library and maintenance capability. These publications will be sent out with the equipment to the recipients in developing countries so that they can operate and repair the equipment when needed.

Robert also assisted with daily work, conducting inventory of equipment and testing and repairing equipment.  The equipment included items such as: Vital Signs Monitors, ECG, NIBP and SPO2 equipment, CPAP machines and respirators/nebulizers, surgical tables, ultrasound equipment and an anesthesia machine.

Volunteer Robert Charkowicz and MedShare’s Biomedical Technician Rene Steinkellner in the lab.

He’s now returning back to UC Davis to start his Senior year.  We will miss his work and his presence here at MedShare, and wish him all the best in his future.  The work that he completed here at MedShare will continue to enhance the success of our mission providing medical equipment to those in need.

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Drops By MedShare’s Western Region

On Monday, August 20, employees of the nearby Dr. Pepper Snapple Group stopped by MedShare’s Western Region to present a grant of $1,000 dollars that was requested through their company’s employee volunteer program, ACTIONeer Program, in support of MedShare Western Region. Throughout the past year, Dr. Pepper Snapple has been regularly sending their employees to volunteer at MedShare to sort medical supplies.

Thank you Dr. Pepper Snapple Group for your generosity and your time!

MedShare’s Chuck Haupt (2nd from left) and Terry Monday (2nd from Right) join employees from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group for their generous check presentation!

The U.S. Zero W…

The U.S. Zero Waste Business Council hosted their first annual conference in Costa Mesa, CA on June 26 & 27 with attendees from all over the U.S. MedShare was pleased to be asked to speak about our innovative recycling program for hospitals.

Chuck Haupt, Executive Director, Western Region, was part of a panel of speakers that also included representatives from The Walt Disney Company and MillerCoors Brewing. Mr. Haupt shared the successes (and challenges) of operating California’s first large-scale recycling operation for healthcare providers.

Did you know that hospitals are the 4th largest producer of waste, out of 48 types of businesses, in CA? While hospitals may already be recycling paper, cardboard, and even food waste, without MedShare there are tons of usable surplus being thrown into landfills every day.

Special thanks to Stephanie Barger of Earth Resource Foundation and Gary Liss of Gary Liss & Associates for organizing such a wonderful event.

President Barack Obama learns of MedShare’s mission

President Barack Obama learns of MedShare’s mission from Elijah Levy. Elijah is a young man that has volunteered at MedShare’s Western Region 12 times since January. Elijah had an opportunity to present President Obama with a MedShare brochure and to discuss the work we do around the world. Thanks Elijah!

President Barack Obama meets Elijah Levy and his family