Healing The Children, Santa Marta, Colombia

The Trip There

2007-10-20T14:20:00.001-07:00

"A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS"

...

Gathering at Vassar Brothers Medical Center to catch the bus to JFK at 3 AM - we have the care packs from New Century Medical, but where's Manoj's wallet?

Loading up the "big yellow bus" at Debbie's place - who knew there would be traffic on the GW at 5 AM.

Packed in like sardines (Byron provided medical care to a couple of passengers even before we got to Colombia!)

Looking for that elusive bag #14 - it reappeared miraculously in Santa Marta.

6 hour layover in Bogota, getting used to delicious new cusine - how many ways can you cook corn?

Boarding for Santa Marta - it's the next night already!

Welcomed by Cecilia and the increadibly gracious women of UNIMA in Santa Marta

The First Day, Screening Patients

2007-10-20T14:19:00.002-07:00

Arriving at the hospital - we were impressed with the modern facilities.

Patients waiting outside the hospital since early morning. We were expecting about a hundred patients, but ended up seeing close to two hundred!

Many had traveled great distances from outlying areas so their kids could be seen. They slept on mattresses on the floor of the hospital.

Say "ahhh"

Patiently waiting.

For me, the most gut wrenching part of this whole mission was turning away patients after our operating room schedule was completely booked.

Please refer to Annabel's post below on October 1 Screening Day 9/23/07 for more photos of screening day.

18 Hour Days

2007-10-20T14:19:00.001-07:00

Setting up

Who wouldn't want to wake up here? The rest of the team was amazed by how the recovery room was creatively transformed

Art setting up the microscope (a.k.a. "girlfriend" :), with local physician Alba Bettancourt looking on

Pat putting a child at ease

Hard at work.

Everyone chipping in - when was the last time you saw a CEO cleaning instruments?

Annabel with her wonderful photos .... and the internet connection

Can we add just one more...

Taking a knee

Dinner brought at 10 PM to the operating room

Comfort

Exhaustion...

Staying until the last patient was safely discharged from the recovery room.

What Makes It All Worthwhile

2007-10-20T14:18:00.003-07:00

Rounding on patients the morning after surgery.

Before...

and after ... a sleeping angel.

That Mona Lisa smile.

Please refer to Annabel's post below on October 18 Children are resilient for more photos of patients recovering.

Some R & R

2007-10-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Byron translating for the Governor - but we don't speak Spanish, Byron :)

Who knew Art could move like that (and Byron too!)

Dinner at the Mayor's Mansion - was he trying to outdo the Governor :) We were all deeply honored to be recognized for our work.

The local entertainment was extraordinary!

The team with ours hosts, the remarkable women of UNIMA.

Our ever present military escort, keeping us safe.

Our last day, a chance to unwind and appreciate the natural beauty of Colombia.

An appropriate metaphor for our mission - a line of carpenter ants carrying neatly cut leaves nearly ten times their size.

To be continued...

A Montage of Memories

2007-10-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

Veronica's breakfast tea
What are those double yellow lines for anyway?
Art dancing with the octogenarian (breaking the ice)
Byron dancing with everyone! The Mambo King!
Byron translating
Finding the one spot where the air conditioning worked
Taking cold showers. We learned to love them!
I couldn't eat another bite. Oh, there's dessert?
SUCK IT UP CRYBABY
No UNIMA, you cannot keep Anond.
Do you think we could do one more kid?
The colorful,okay gross, descriptions of Granadilla
Manoj finishing the rum
Veronica saying"I'll be OK, just dance around me."
The late night bus ride--Joel saying "This is just like a video game!"
No one leaves here without Bilateral Myringotomy Tubes!!
The horror on Pat's face when he thought he lost his wedding band.
The relief we all felt when he had it safely back on.
Cliff's gracious sharing of his lap-top. God bless the Internet.
Debbie always ready for anything! Her contagious laugh.
Chikila--our rock and our inspiration.
Nick-- Manoj called you the heart and soul of this mission and you were.
Maybe we could get an earlier start... did I just say that?!
The best room-mates possible
Annabel becoming a Godmother
The poor airport security dog who had to sniff my dirty laundry
My version of Spanish: speak loudly, use short English sentences but end most words in "o", smile and use alot of hand gestures... I'll work on my Spanish for next year. Hey, what do they speak in Madagaskar?
The beauty of the Columbian mountains and coasts.
The warm generosity of our hosts.
Learning something new every day from every one of you.
Looking forward to working with this exceptional team next year!

Another Voice Heard From

2007-10-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Hello my Santa Marta mission amigos. I go to this spot often to see if anyone has added anything new and I am so appreciative of those of you who have written such beautiful and heartfelt entries. Its been three weeks and I can't seem to let go of this experience. Nor do I want to.

I will add a few of the entries from my personal journal in the hopes that you'll be encouraged to share your feelings and stories as well...

We are screening patients for surgery. He is 15 years old. He looks about 10. He smiles shyly,
giving me a sidelong glance. He says something in Spanish to his Aunt. She translates, "He thinks you are beautiful." I am flattered and respond, "Ooooh, how sweeet." She continues...
"He thinks everyone who doesn't have a cleft lip is beautiful." I am humbled. My heart is aching. I see a beautiful human being in front of me. I am thrilled that, with our help, this 15 year old young man will look in a mirror and finally see himself as beautiful too.

Treasured Memories & Rewards

2007-10-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

While we are all back to work and the rituals of life, the experience of caring for the children in Santa Marta is also a permanent part of my life. I was able to actually take part of changes made for the families physically and emotionally in South America, which in return will make us a more everlasting element to the self-esteems of each person we touched. No words and perhaps pictures could transpire the pleasures experienced in the responses of the children, families, and members of this medical and professional team! I have lived more and grown by working with various customs in a foreign country. What a growing process of life... I became part of different situations and functions. The environment, mannerism, styles of living and coping are only a few of my insights gained as I opened up my heart to how people are living and managing differently than what I was aware of. Our own roles and culture may leave us stagnant, but to give of our own privileges, skills, and hearts will provide for the children and families, and to the team too an award that I gracefully welcome.
With my continued faith, support of family and friends, I look forward to making a difference in lives from my direct touch through similar missions again... most definitely 'to be continued.'

Mission recap

2007-10-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

Almost three weeks after returning from Colombia, I am finally getting a chance to process the experience - since getting back, I have been overwhelmed trying to catch up with work at my practice, while at the same time teaching at a Facial Plastic Surgery conference in NYC.

In many ways, it has been difficult adjusting back to "real life." The incredible emotions of the trip, the exhaustion of traveling so far and working so hard, still lingers ... not to say anything of the residual effects of having stayed in a third world foreign country (my stomach hasn't been the same!). By any estimation, this was a tremendously busy trip. Over the course of a week, we screened close to 200 children, and performed well over a hundred surgical procedures on 65 patients.

I want to once again express my heartfelt gratitude to all of the team members. Everyone absolutely worked their butts off, and despite 18 hour days, provided the highest level of care. The selfless nature of team members and the camaraderie during this mission was beyond anything I could have expected - and, I truly hope I earned my title as the "nicest slave driver"! The volunteer organizers of UNIMA who provided for us while we were in Santa Marta also deserve a tremendous amount of credit.

In the end, this effort was all about the children. Words can not describe how wonderful it is to make a difference in these kids lives, to inspire hope that there are people in the world who care. For that, I am indebted to all who made this mission possible, especially those in our local community. I will be leaving on a mission to Guatemala shortly, and I am planning a fundraiser to benefit Healing the Children this Spring, to support another mission from our area. To be continued ...

My experience

2007-10-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

My experience in Colombia was profound. It was a rewarding Mission for myself, and I sense it is beyond that for all those for whom we cared. Although I have been a pediatric nurse for 19 years, it was my first participation in a Mission. During this time, I nurtured children as they recovered from surgical repair of facial and oral deformities. Our six long days of care resulted in expressions of admiration, respect, and gratitude. The volunteers of UNIMA made our stay comfortable and assisted the team through the long hours of work. The conscious benefits were heartfelt - smiles, hugs, prayers in Spanish and tears too from the children and adults during the first day of screening and after recovery from the surgical procedures. Thanks to contributions through schools (Lourdes H.S. and class of 2007), work (Vassar Brothers Medical Center), physicians and medical groups, and never to be forgotten the guidance of God and support of family and friends, I was able to participate in this wonderful Mission to Santa Marta, Colombia!

Tamara Faublas-Joseph, RN, MSN

Children are resilient

2007-10-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

I think what will stick with me the most from this trip is the resilience of the children. At home, we have a tendency to see images of children in developing countries and think "How sad. Poor children." The amazing thing about kids is that they are so adaptable to whatever situation they are in. They do not have a basis for comparison, when it comes to their economic or social standing. I bet some kids go to the hospital thinking this is a normal part of growing up. The hospital experience was probably harder for the parents who know that this is not normal and are scared. While this trip was not without some upsetting moments (i.e. having to turn families away, children waking up from surgery in tears), overall I was uplifted by their spirits. I only wish I could spend more time with them.

Edwin (above) was born with one leg.
But that didn't stop him from starting a game of chase with me.
I was not only out of breath, but I never did catch him!

Jerson 1 day post-op

Jerson 2 days post-op

Fari before surgery. Kids like him came into the operating room more curious than scared.

Fari leaving the hospital 1 day post-op and carrying his own suitcase.

Luis Gabriel putting Veronica's stethoscope on his own heart before surgery.

Luis Gabriel less than 24 hours after bilateral cleft lip surgery.
And no, this picture is not photoshopped...

All photos ©Annabel Clark 2007

Santa Marta, Colombia September 2007

2007-10-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

As much as I like to express in words what I feel is really very hard to do, I wish I have the ability as I've read some of you have, but in very simple words I will try to share what I experienced while in Colombia.I was very amazed to see the effort of each and everyone of the team members to accomplish the task assign. The cooperation between all of us, always trying to help each other and how the team blended from day one. Even with all the negative things happening daily in our jobs and lifes is incredible to see a group of people so optimistic and enthusiastic that would deliver regardless of the circumstances. Thank you so very much for letting me be part of this faboulous team.I truly enjoyed spending all this time with you.Going to Colombia was like going back to my roots, going back to my people and I really felt like a fish in the ocean. I wasn't expecting although to be such a rewarding experience as it was.The trip to Santa Marta showed me what life is really all about: Help and understand people. Love and care for the people and to live life at its full potential. Every little patient and case was a reason enough to be there and everybody had his or her special patient. Like someone described in one of the postings you could basically see their soul throug their eyes.This was my first mission and wish to have many more missions to come because by doing this I beleive we get closer to become better persons and a better world. I will try to post more at another time.

From BYRON FERNANDEZ,M.D.

The Greatest Reward

2007-10-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

It has been two weeks since we left Colombia but the memories of the place, patients, and activities remain fresh as if they were still happening today. There seems to be some truth to the commonly-held notion that when one sense is impaired, the others gain sensitivity to compensate for the loss. In Santa Marta, my hearing was impaired in the sense that I could not fully understand the language of the people we had come to help. There was an unexpected blessing in this, as it opened my eyes to look more completely, to truly see both the patients and the team as partners in our work of changing lives.

It is wisely said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. We all revealed such a broad palette of emotions! The hope and anticipation in the families as their children were evaluated. The joy upon acceptance; the pain of those who unfortunately had to be turned away. I saw fire in the eyes of the team members as we struggled with the workload, resilient strength combating fatigue, compassion and respect as we stretched our boundaries to accommodate “just one more child”. The relief and outlet in the comedy of our short moments of downtime. The reflexive sense of gratitude was especially striking. The patients and their families for this gift of hope for their futures that we gave; and the gifts we received in even greater measure as their eyes spoke volumes that made words unnecessary. The elation of comprehending all that we had accomplished; the yearning to do even more. I saw and felt this and so much more in this place of amazing natural beauty and rich culture, a place filled with people of great heart and spirit.

Most of the time, a parent would see his or her child for the first time after surgery in the recovery room. We couldn’t help but shed tears with them – tears of joy, for seeing the almost magical transformation. There was a 24-year-old lady who had a huge growth on her lip. I never saw her smile even once on the screening day. I can only imagine her self-esteem growing up as a teenager having to deal with this physical deformity. When she arrived in the recovery room, I looked at her and her pre-surgical picture for the longest time. I felt pure joy for her. The smile in her face when she looked at the mirror for the first time was priceless.

Selflessness came so naturally from every member of the team, and it was an honor to have served with all of you. My gratitude to you for this experience is without boundary, and I look forward to the opportunities that await us; to improve the lives of our sisters and brothers across the world is truly the greatest reward.

Healing Children in Santa Marta

2007-10-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

What has transpired over our week in Santa Marta, Columbia still seems surreal. Emotionally draining, physically exhausting and spiritually lifting. I continue to have episodes of spontaneous blubbering while visions and memories overwhelm me that will continue to be processed long after our plane has landed back in New York. This experience brings me into alignment once again, what is really important in all our lives, being of service to those in need and loving those that are closest to us well enough that there is no doubt about how grateful we are to be in their presence.

Thank you to the women of UNIMA who treated us as though we were their children by keeping us safe, entertained and our bellies full, we were left without any worries or concerns for our well being. I am so very grateful and proud to have been part of this mission and for the opportunity to work in the company of truly wonderful humanitarians brilliant, hardworking, focused, and undaunted. Always with our one goal clearly in sight, the children. The children one after another, we cared for them as if they were our own.

Thank you to Riverside Medical Staff of Dr M. Sarabu Cardiothoracic Surgery for putting up with me during my constant conversation pre and post mission and for the donations made by our team members, for all the hugs, well wishes and prayers that came our way. Most of all thank you to my family for their constant support in my desire to take part in this my first mission. I have been blessed, this much I know, and I choose to do this work because of all of you.

Saying goodbye to Mom at 3 AM!

Together we have accomplished so very much, but to see the smiles of the children and family member’s faces is our greatest reward. For all that, I have said and will continue to speak about, I hope to inspire just one person to join a mission, there is so much, yet to be done, consider me signed up!!!

Chikela Cody thank you for inspiring me.

To be continued…

Leonora C. Gerspach RN CNOR CTOR

last case, last day, last minute!

From Cliff

2007-10-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

Let me add my thanks as well to everyone involved in this endeavor. Although I'm still trying to catch up on my work and sleep, the memories ofeverything we did and all that we were able to accomplish makes whatever discomfort we may have very worhwhile. Thanks again for having me along and at times for having to put up with me. Cliff

Cliff Mihail, M.D.

Screening Day 9/23/07

2007-10-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

First patients arrive at the hospital for screening

A 1 year old cleft lip patient accompanied by his grandmother

The crowded waiting area

Passing the time counting bottle caps

A local priest of Santa Marta performs a service for families in the waiting area of the hospital

Patiently waiting to be screened

Dr. Abraham examines 1 year old Luis Gabriel, while UNIMA volunteer Lina watches in the background

8 year old Jailenne having a benign tumor examined by Dr. Abraham

Pat plays around with a 1 year old cleft palate patient

7 year old Jerson having his blood pressure checked by Tamara and Byron

Finishing the day on a high note with 8 year old Jeison

All photos ©Annabel Clark 2007

Healing the Children

2007-09-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Our first day began bright and early at 7am. We arrived at the hospital, again by military escort, and came to see the entire courtyard filled with families, children, grandparents, anyone and everyone that could come to see the 'American Doctors'. By the end of the day, we had evaluated over 150 patients and selected 65 to perform restorative cleft palate procedures on. UNIMA had spread the word of our arrival to outlying villages through radio, flyers, and word of mouth. Each family spent great time, effort, and monies to reach us. One particular child, Anibal Jose, and his family were so desperate to seek our medical services, that they walked over two hours from their remote village to the nearest town, then travelled 7 hours by bus, only to manage making it to the hospital a whole day after all of the prospective surgical candidates had already been selected. Not only did his story warm our hearts, but also his cleft defect was very significant, so we had to add him onto our OR schedule.

The operative days have been long and gruelling--7am to 10 pm but very rewarding. Danilo is a high school student who has a severe cleft defect that has affected his speech. He is a very bright student, which has earned him high honors. However, his applications to local universities have been met with disdain--his speech impairment is viewed as a cognitive defect--admission deans see him as mentally slow and he is denied admission to every college in his town. Yet his ambition prevails. He vows that he will pursue his dream of higher education--and comes to us for surgical correction of his physically limiting cleft palate--to show the world that he will be able to speak normally, communicate effectively, and gain entrance into a premier university. Yesterday, on post-op rounds, the team is elated to see Danilo doing well and able to speak like he has never spoken before--he, his mother, and the surgeons exchange tears and hugs and hope for his future.

Santa Marta

2007-09-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

The mountain ranges and the ocean--sheer beauty. The weather is a hot humid 90. Daily there have been brief mid-day tropical showers. And the people--wonderful, genuine, hospitable, and grateful.

Our hosts, UNIMA (United today for a healthier future) is a grassroots nonprofit organization that has spent months coordinating the local efforts in recruiting patients, getting the hospital and supplies ready, and funding our lodging and meals. UNIMA dates back to 12 years ago when a Floridian Heal the Children representative moved back to her local Santa Marta. She wanted to create an organization that would help sponsor foreign medical teams to provide care to her own people, and deliver care that was not accessible to local residents. Twelve years later, we are the sixth team that they have sponsored. We have not seen such a group of dedicated, hospitable, and altruistic women before.

The Journey

2007-09-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

So, we've made it to Santa Marta, Colombia safe and sound. The Journey was not without its exciting moments: between Manoj leaving his wallet behind, delays at the George Washington Bridge, making it to the gate just before the doors were being closed, 2 medical emergencies on the plane (although one ended up just being a female passenger experiencing menstrual cramps), careful scrutiny of our belongings at customs in Bogota (after realizing our purpose for bringing a curious variety of items such as tongue blade depressors, clorox wipes, and anesthesia equipment, the airport personnel were very thankful that we came to help their people), 6 very loooonnnnggg hours there waiting for our connecting flight, and a military escort to our military barracks (well equipped with highly visible rifles), it was certainly a memorable trip here.

Angels along the way

2007-09-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

Coming from a country where medical access is limited, this surgical mission means a lot to me. In very poor areas of the Philippines, children born with deformities are assumed to just live life the way they were born. There are no second chances. They are isolated and made fun of. I have always dreamed of doing something for kids like these. When asked to be a part of this mission, I said yes without hesitation. I knew that this would be my chance to give back to the world.

There have been some ups and downs getting us to this day but we made it. I would like to especially thank our nurse manager in Vassar Pediatrics, Sue Albertson, for her total support. Thanks Sue for your flexibility with our requests. I also would like to thank Apria Healthcare Inc. through Katie Rapp for donating nebulizers, Bill Brown for more nebulizers and some respiratory supplies, Ramona Trever for other supplies. For all the staff in Pediatrics who have helped us in so many ways. Our sincerest gratitude to our donors who have generously given financial support. Last but not the least, our families, for their love and sacrifice (taking care of the kids while we are gone). You are all instrumental in making this trip possible. From our hearts, thank you.

Little helpers

2007-09-16T16:26:00.001-07:00

Meds courtesy of Priti Shah at the Kingston Hospital Pharmacy.

The boxes were large enough to fit Minali (left) and Kiran (right)!

An overflowing bounty of supplies from New Century Medical Associates and some from TLC.

Kiran helping mom, Kavita, remove packaging from medications to get everything to fit into the suitcase.

Minali helping count :)

Packing Party

2007-09-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

Those who could, gathered for a "packing party" at Debbie Fritz's house and also at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Given the sheer volume of equipment, supplies and medications that we had gathered, and now needed to be carefully itemized and packed into individual suitcases, the task seemed daunting. Once again, I was impressed by the hard work, dedication and coordination of team members, as it all came together. Not only did we get the work done, but it was a great bonding experience - laughter and good conversation abounded as we looked forward to the upcoming trip.

There was barely any floor showing in Debbie's living room! It was a rainy Saturday evening, the perfect time for a packing party. Pictured above from left to right are Terri, Byron, Nick and Debbie.

Tamara (in the back) and Elaine meticulously inventorying medications.

Terri (at left) and Amy (Steve Nargiso's wife) sorting through sutures. Elaine is in the background.

Paul Fritz (Debbie's husband) did a fantastic job itemizing our master packing list, precisely noting where each item was packed.

Nick organizing anesthesia supplies - his help has been crucial.

The satisfaction of a late night, but a job well done! Kneeling in front, me and Debbie. Back row from left to right, Terri, Steve, Elaine, Tamara, Paul and Nick.

Debbie, Paul and their two lovely dogs, behind a sea of packed suitcases. Thanks again for hosting the event and letting us take over your house!

Late evening, packing after hours - team members have given up their weekends and stayed until late at night to make this happen. Bibi (back to wall), Mary (in the back), and Chicky (pointing) organizing supplies for the trip in the hallway outside of the Operating Room at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Chicky has led the effort at Vassar.

Lee and Mary sorting through boxes stacked up high in the ladies locker room (anywhere space could be found to store supplies needed for the mission!)

Thank you for your generosity

2007-09-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed by the generosity in peoples' hearts. From the moment I took on the responsibility of putting together this team, nearly everyone and anyone I have asked to help has responded without hesitation. There have been tons of obstacles, and times when it appeared there was no chance this mission was going to come together. But with everyone pitching in, perseverance, and faith, here we are! It is for this reason, I am grateful to have the opportunity to recognize those who have contributed to making this mission happen.

First, and foremost, the team members, who are donating their expertise, their time (both for the mission and the endless preparation), supplies, and paying their way. For many on the team, this is their first mission - I know the gratitude on the faces of the kids we help will be more then ample reward. Thanks for putting up with me and the never ending e-mails, phone calls and tasks! Please refer to my last post for the list of team members and a partial team photo - there will be lots more photos of the team during the mission.

The hardworking staff of Healing the Children all deserve recognition http://www.htcne.org/Web%20Pages/staff_board/ourstaff.htm. We could not have done without their contacts and organizing help. Specifically, I'd like to personally thank executive director Dana Buffin for negotiating through the changing dates and locations, and board member Steve Nargiso who graciously adjusted his schedule and volunteered to join our team at the last minute. I'd also like to thank Missy Law, Lisa Cohen, Phyllis Amdurer, and travel agent Ann St Hilaire for making arrangements and putting up with all the last minute changes.

In advance, I'd like to thank our hosts in Santa Marta, UNIMA under the direction of Cecilia Santos de Cely, and the Hospital Fernando Troconis. Our hosts are arranging local transportation, accommodations, and space in the hospital to screen, operate and recover patients. They have sent out word of our mission to the surrounding areas, and we are expecting more then a hundred patients.

Locally, I am indebted to those at the Vassar Brothers Medical Center http://www.vassarbrothers.org/ and the Fishkill Ambulatory Surgery Center http://www.vassarbrothers.org/medmall.asp?urh=medmall_ambulatory who have gone out of their way to facilitate this mission.

Dr. Daniel Aronzon, CEO of the Medical Center (pictured above with me at a recent fund raising event), has made an effort to champion humanitarian efforts, and this mission was no exception. Bill Silta, head of pharmacy (seen below with Gail Kennedy) has supported our effort to gather needed medications.

Greg Bishop, Paul Corish, and Joanne Ritschdorff of the Surgical Services at Vassar, and Nancy Fitzgibbons at the Fishkill Surgery Center, have been more then giving in allowing us to borrow needed surgical instruments, donating excess supplies and equipment, and adjusting staff schedules so that they can participate in the mission (Joanne and Paul are shown below). The same is true of the nurses on the Pediatric Floor.
Dr. Tim Dowd, head of North American Partners in Anesthesia, and Dr. Richard Goldmann, based at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, have been supportive of anesthetist Nick Schewtschenko's participation and efforts to gather much needed anesthesia supplies. Nick is pictured below, flanked on the left by Dr. Dowd and on the right by Dr. Goldmann.

Priti Shah, director of the pharmacy at Kingston Hospital, and inventory coordinator Deb Reed, came through again with much needed medications for another of my humanitarian missions. The physicians and staff in the Fishkill offices of New Century Medical Associates http://newcenturymedicalassociates.com/ and TLC pediatrics also opened their hearts (see Kavita's post below). I would be remiss if I omitted the contribution of the staff at my office, especially Judy Fallon and Kathryn Alexander, who are true as ever http://www.nyfacemd.com/.

A few other notes:
-- Team member anesthesiologist Dr. Pat Escandon, originally from South America and a seasoned veteran of Healing the Children missions, has helped immeasurably by coordinating communication with our hosts in Colombia. In addition, team member nurse Terri Daly's good friend Alma Santana (who teaches Spanish) has helped me with translation of e-mails to and from Colombia.
-- My wife and team member, Dr. Kavita Aggarwal has arranged for a bus (I'm told its a big yellow school bus :) to transport us to the airport (we have to leave at 3:45AM), and bring us back (flight gets in to JFK just past midnight, and lots of us are working the next day!).
-- Roberta Green and Bess Rodgers at the Dutchess County Medical Society http://www.dcms.org/ offered ready support by reaching out to all our local physician members for needed supplies and medications.
-- Anesthesiologist Dr. Basil Abeysekera of St. Francis Hospital was initially scheduled to go on this mission and provided me great assistance formulating the list of anesthesia supplies. However, with the change of dates for the mission, he is not able to go. Anesthesiologist Drs. Mike Simon and Matt Klein at Vassar and Kalpana Modi at St. Francis were likewise very interested in participating, but had scheduling conflicts. I am sure they will all join us on future missions.
-- Ray Norat of the Arlington Rotary Club http://skyelogic.com/~ed/arlingtonrotary/ made a sincere effort to arrange shipment of our medical supplies. However, given the late date, advance shipment was not possible, and the team will hand carry everything. Thanks for trying, Ray, and I would appreciate your help in the future.
-- I also have to thank my resident, Dr. Anand Patel, without whose help we would not have been able to locate the anesthesiologists needed for this trip http://www.nyee.edu/current-residents-in-otolaryngology-ent.html.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Minas Constantinides and Ann Holton of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for sanctioning this trip as a Face to Face medical mission http://www.facetofacesurgery.org/. Through them, I was introduced to Dr. Carlos Pedroza of the International Federation of Facial Plastic Surgery Societies, and have been in touch with Dr. Alba Betancort, a physician based in Santa Marta, who has graciously offered to provide her assistance and any necessary post operative care.

Manoj T. Abraham, M.D.

Behind the Scenes Team Support - by Debbie Fritz, R.N.

The planning and preparation stage for our mission involved months of effort and support from a large number of volunteers and recruits. When I originally asked Dr Abraham if he would be interested in doing a medical mission with HTNCE, I had no idea that he would take this idea and run with it- I was thinking as a team member, not a team leader! Organizing and leading a mission can be extremely fulfilling, but it is impossible to know the effort that goes into making this a reality. Helping Dr. Abraham to make this mission successful has been a long process of collecting, organizing and then begging for more supplies. We started actively collecting supplies and garnering support from our friends, coworkers and contacts many months in advance of our trip.

We began by contacting our supply representatives and asking if their companies donated to humanitarian missions and when we found these generous companies; we began asking for donations, and when required we went through the process of writing grant letters and proposals to these companies. Companies like Ethicon and their Medical Mission Program, who donated almost all of the suture we needed; and Schering-Plough Physician Asst. Program (Map International) who generously donated two large boxes of medications appropriate for our trip. Other companies like Cardinal Health who donated packs and drapes; Medtronic who donated surgical supplies for the heath care of patients; our 3M representative who gave us a book of supplies to look through and then provided everything we asked for.

Of course none of this would have been possible without the endless help and support of my coworkers, but most of all friends, at Fishkill Ambulatory Surgical Center. Many thanks to Ann Conboy, PACU Coordinator and Nancy Fitzgibbons, OR Coordinator for their flexibility and thoughtful help with my work schedule, helping to attain supplies, and allowing us to borrow surgical instruments. Ann is shown on the left below, and Nancy on the right.
Maureen Merchant, Head of CSP and Purchasing (seen on the right below) who would always make sure to ask the reps if they could donate any supplies towards our mission. Because of her efforts we procured many of the supplies needed for surgery. Debbie Vasquez (on the left), Anesthesia Tech, was instrumental for many of the anesthesia supplies attained through her contacts. And, Daisy Gotay of CSP (on the right above) and Dawn Marie Pries-Ogden, Perioperative Tech, (on the left) for all their time spent taping all instruments and sterilizing supplies. The children who’s lives that will be touched by our mission will only be meeting half of the team because the other half will still be at home, behind the scene. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Debbie Fritz, R,N.

Thank you for the prep work!

2007-09-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

To Manoj, the team, and other contributors,
I'd like to say a giant Thank You for all that you have done thus far. Having been on such trips (to Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Panama) for plastic and cardiac surgery, I know how much time (and sweat!) goes into getting everything ready. The coordination factor is not minor. Thanks to those who donated funds. Thanks to those that packed. Thanks to those that got things together to pack. I'm sorry that I cannot be there with you to help with the preparations. I so look forward to meeting those of you that will be traveling to Santa Marta.
Be well!
Veronica

New Century Medical Associates-Fishkill group comes together to help a good cause!

2007-09-12T20:46:00.000-07:00

I want to thank the staff, nurses and my partners at New Century Medical Associates, Fishkill office for coming together not only as a team, but also as a family to help out with our upcoming mission to Colombia. I didn't even have to ask, and everyone lent a helping hand for such a good cause. Notably, Lisa Patterson, office manager, coordinated providing vaccinations at no charge to several of the volunteers. Thanks also to my partners including Dr. Jose Fontanez and Dr. Patricia Shannon for providing the funds for this donation! and nurses June Brown and Melania Fontanez for staying after-hours to administer these vaccines.

Melania and June also did a lot of leg work to collect medications and supplies from our office and pharmaceutical representatives. The front reception staff: Joanne Thyne, Janet Bernabe, and Amy Litcofsky, helped to get the word out to the pharmaceutical reps of our need of medications. The reps that donated medications included: Ellen Carr-Fenner of Schering-Plough, Lisa Marsella-Joyce of Sanofi-Aventis, Christine Honig of Glasko Smith Klein, Mare Falker-Corwin and Alan Allard of Astra Zeneca, Beth Toth of Tap Pharmaceuticals. Several nurses have even loaned or donated their own personal suitcases to pack ALL of the supplies in, including June, Melania, and Wendy Gerbes. Let's not forget our Physician's Assistant Dave Haldeman, nurses Wendy & June, and Dr. Shannon who purchased several 'must need' items, and PA Lorry Martin for the bags of suture sets. Melania's spanish translation services were really appreciated when corresponding back and forth with the Hospital Fernando Troconis.

I wanted to also give special mention to Michelle Stevens, Joanne Thyne, June Brown, and Lisa Patterson for getting the whole staff involved in getting together care packages for each and every team member--what a special, thoughtful, and beautiful gift! Each package had wooden bead bracelets from Bethlehem, symbolizing healing and spirituality, hand made earrings (made by Lisa's mother), bath and body works lotions, and loads of other necessities. Every NCMA staff member that contributed should know that your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated--the team loves them!!

Special note of thanks also to TLC Pediatrics physicians Dr. Parveh Borojeni and Dr. Christian Hietanan for their generous donation of medical supplies as well!!!

The Colombian children and their families will be very thankful for everyone's time, generosity, and caring. Thank you!

--Kavita Aggarwal, M.D.

http://newcenturymedicalassociates.com/

List of Team Members, Team Meeting

2007-09-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Pictured at the team meeting on Monday (starting with back row):

Dr. Manoj Abraham - Facial Plastic Surgeon/Team Leader

Terri Daly - Nurse at St. Francis Hospital

Dr. Byron Fernandez - Pediatrician, Poughkeepsie Medical Group

Dr. Cliff Mihail - ENT Surgeon with the Mid-Hudson Medical Group

Debbie Fritz - Nurse, Fishkill Ambulatory Surgery Center/

Operating Room Supervisor

Steve Nargiso - Healing The Children Board Member/Administrator

Lee Gerspach - CT Nurse at Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Elaine Suderio-Tirone - Peds Nurse, Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Dr. Arthur Menken - ENT/Otolaryngologist

Dr. Kavita Aggarwal - Internist, New Century Medical Associates

Kiran Abraham-Aggarwal - Honorary Team Member
Mary Hayden - Recovery Nurse at Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Not Pictured

Nick Schewtschenko, RN - North American Partners in Anesthesia

Patricio Escandon, MD - Anesthesiologist from Yale

Veronica Swanson, MD - Pediatric Anesthesiologist from Oregon

Chikela Cody - OR Technician, Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Bibi Yasim - OR Nurse at Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Tamara Faublas-Joseph - Peds Nurse, Vassar Brothers Med Ctr

Joel Seligman - CEO N Westchester Hospital/Admin Training

Annabel Clark - Healing The Children Photographer

How This Began

2007-09-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

Growing up in Sri Lanka and Nigeria, I have witnessed the worst in humanity. I became a Facial Plastic Surgeon to help heal. With my training and experience, I can restore function, enhance appearance, and turn back the clock. There is no greater sense of satisfaction then making people feel better about themselves. http://www.nyfacemd.com/

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/VIDEO/70921037/1042/MULTIMEDIA

Because of my experiences, I have been driven to give back and have been involved in several humanitarian efforts, including with the CRISP foundation led by Dr. Ronald Strahan at UCLA. http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2006/02/communitynotebook/index.php

Earlier this year, Debbie Fritz, a nurse at the Fishkill Ambulatory Surgery Center asked me if I wanted to go on a mission with Healing The Children, a humanitarian organization run by her good friend Dana Buffin. http://www.htcne.org/

I jumped at the opportunity. Since so many of those in the local area had generously donated supplies and expressed interest in my previous trips, I offered to put together a team. We decided this would be an ENT/Facial Plastic Surgery mission, and picked the Hospital Fernando Troconis in Santa Marta, Colombia since a team has not visited in several years. Santa Marta is a large port city located on the coast of Colombia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Marta It serves a large indigenous population, many of them with scant access to health care. On my previous trips, parents would often trek for days to reach us, hoping their children would get care.

Six months, three date and location changes, several hundred phone calls and e-mails later, we are finally on the verge of departing. Trying to juggle 20 team members with their own schedules and obligations, and who are voluntarily donating their time and paying their way is certainly no picnic (similar to herding cats, I've been told :) Soliciting all of the equipment, medications, and supplies needed for this type of surgical mission has also been a challenge (though I am once again overwhelmed by the generosity of those in our community - more on this later). Debbie and I are planing on popping a bottle of champagne when we get back from Santa Marta!

The best part will be providing care for hundreds of patients, mostly kids, who would otherwise go untreated. We will perform 50-60 surgical procedures, many of these cleft lip and palate repair - this congenital deformity makes it difficult to eat and to speak, and is terribly disfiguring leaving those afflicted ostracized from their community. A photograph of a child before and after surgical correction is shown below.

Santa Marta, here we come!

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/VIDEO/70921037/1042/MULTIMEDIA