By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Palisades Charter High School student Chase McSorley will speak about his experience in Panama with Floating Doctors at the Palisades Optimist Club’s weekly meeting the morning of Tuesday, January 14, at 7:30 a.m.
McSorley helped deliver medical assistance to the people in the area surrounding Bocas del Toro, club member Don Scott explained ahead of the meeting.
“Floating Doctors has been operating in this area with the cooperation of the Panamanian government for over 10 years,” Scott added. “Traveling in groups of 20 or more medical volunteers from around the world, they visit hard-to-reach remote villages, carrying medical supplies, records and even a portable dental drill as they go. Natives often walk for days to reach these scheduled visits.”
The Optimist Club’s not-for-profit affiliate, The Palisades Optimist Foundation, is working to bring the Floating Doctors program to Pali in order to “augment the school’s career-oriented programs,” which the school uses to introduce students to promising professions.
Scott shared that McSorley is the first student from Pali High to take this summer trip and has a lot to tell. On November 19, McSorley was awarded the Optimist Student of the Month for his dedication and service to others.
“We hope to expand this opportunity to more students next summer and are reaching out to the local community for their support,” Scott said.
The community is invited to attend a buffet-style breakfast, hear the talk and learn more about the club at the meeting, which takes place at Palisades Presbyterian Church.
