From left - Sue Nelson F.N.P. medical advisor; His Eminence Jonah, Archbishop and Metropolitan of All Uganda; Fr. Joseph Ciarciaglino, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church Tampa, Florida, advisor to the clinic and director of fund raising; Fr. George Lokony, pastor of St. Basil Orthodox Church, Gulu and of Akonyibedo Village Mission Parish and overseer of the medical clinic.
When Fr. Joseph traveled to Uganda at the beginning of December, one of the purposes of the trip was to interview applicants for the position of clinic nurse. The nurse will actually be the main care provider and will also be charged with the day to day running of the clinic. We had been following the studies of a particular Orthodox Christian Ugandan young woman who was studying at the largest hospital in Gulu. She is a member of Fr. George's parish in Gulu. Her name is Concy Acca and finished with her clinicals in March. She is what is titled in Uganda as a Comprehensive Nurse. This means that she is both a registered nurse and a certified mid-wife. She is 24 years old and unmarried. Fr. Joseph was very impressed with her intelligence, willing attitude and desire to do this job. She will start at the clinic as soon as it opens.
Simon Peter Okello, a certified laboratory technician has been hired for the clinic. He will be able to perform a number of routine tests on-site at the clinic. Arrangements have been made to send specimens to Gulu for more complex analysis. Simon Peter is working part time as a laboratory technician in Gulu until the clinic opens in Akonyibedo. He spends the rest of his time as a volunteer at an orphanage. He too is a member of Fr. George's parish.