Dr. James and Terri Coats didn't waste any time getting involved with our community when they moved here 9 years ago to open their Chiropractic practice on Goblin Drive.

 

One of the best things they ever did was to join the Harrison Rotary Club.

 

Because of their affiliation with Rotary, it enabled them to serve the citizens of Piedgras Negras, Mexico for the past five years. 

 

Although, the main focus of their mission trips has been working in the hospital providing Chiropractic care to hundreds of individuals, they have also been able to reach out and provide support to the Piedgras Negras Rotary Club's varies projects within their community such as shoes for school children that had none, clothing for the families living in the cardboard cities, food and financial support to Paulino's orphanage for the handicapped, clothing to the handicapped school to raise money at an auction to raise funds to restore the school after a devastating flood, provided computers to the school, money to sponsor a child at the handicapped school that would provide their lunches, and money to support another orphanage in the building of a medical facility.

 

In addition, the Coats along with James and Eletta Block transported the dental equipment
to the Piedgras Negras Club last year.

 

In the beginning, Dr. James and Dr. Terri were able to serve 150 patients on their first visit. 

They had only one portable table and worked in cramped and cold conditions.  Dr. James adjusted all the patients while Dr. Terri took  the notes.

 

The second year,  a stationary table was donated by Drs. James and Laura VanWagoner of Davenport, Iowa.  They now had two tables and both could adjust patients.  That year they served appx 300 patients.

 

The third year another stationary table was donated and the Rotary Club of Piedgras Negras was given an "official" room at the hospital just for Chiropractic care.  They served appx 800 patients recruiting three more doctors.  These doctors were from  Louisiana, Wisconsin and Indiana.

 

By the fourth year they realized this  project was exploding beyond their imagination so they began recruiting doctors from all over the world.  They had 9 doctors, one massage therapist and several assistants to help.  They served appx 1100 patients and turned away many more.

 

2007 was their 5th anniversary and the largest turn out yet.  They had a team of 17 this time.  9 doctors, 3 massage therapist, and 5 assistants.

 

This team was comprised of folks from AR, CA, LA,NV,PA,and FL

 

The team was able to serve approximately 1,600 people.