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Accomplishments -
The Friends of Rudy have been busy...
FEBRUARY
15 THROUGH FEBRUARY 23, 2008
CENTRO NACIONAL
DE OFTALMOLOGIA (CENAO), MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
OPHTHALMOLOGY
USE OF VITRECTOMY
MACHINE AND SUPPLIES WERE DONATED BY
ALCON MEDICAL
MISSION PROGRAM
RICHARD MINTON
FEIST, MD
TAREK O. PERSAUD,
MD
FRANCISCA RIVAS,
MD
ABRAHAM DELGADO,
MD
Drs. Feist and Persaud
screened 70 patients. They
performed 21 vitrectomies and had use of fifty (50) doses of Avastin.
CENTRO NACIONAL DE
CARDIOLOGI,
MANAGUA
NELSON SALAZAR,
MD.
DIRECTOR
ILANA KUTINSKY,
MD
DAVID PARR,
TECHNOLGIST
20 PACEMAKERS
WERE DONATED BY ST. JUDE
TWENTY TWO
SURGERIES WERE PERFORMED.
All twenty pacemakers were
placed in indigent patients. We
also did 1 ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) and one pacemaker/lead
revision.
I discovered several
children who needed rhythm restored.
We began a project called
Restore the Rhythm (Salvando
Corazones) Saving Hearts.
We have gotten preliminary OK from Beaumont Hospital in
Michigan to proceed with
Restore the Rhythm.
Beaumont wants to support bringing the kids to Michigan for the procedures,
as well as, establishing a lab in Nicaragua for future use.
HOSPITAL AMISTAD
JAPON- NICARAGUA, GRANADA, NICARAGUA
JUAN BARRIOS, MD, DIRECTOR
and YELBA BROWN, MD,
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
OPHTHALMOLOGY
MICHAEL ALSTON
CALLAHAN, MD.
JOHN STEVEN PARKER, MD.
AND
MARK DRABKIN, MD.
ANESTHESIA
JERALD CLANTON,
MD, JAMES RUDULPH, MD, JOE STOWELL, CRNA
BIOMETRY
LYNN GUZMAN,
KEITH HODGE
TRANSLATOR KOULA
CALLAHAN
VOLUNTEERS
ASSISTING:
JACK PARKER,
BONNIE PARKER
5 CORNEAL
TRANSPLANTS, 6 STRABISMUS, 38 CATARACTS, 11 YAG LASERS ,
1 DCR, AND 1 PTOSIS.
SUPPLIES AND
EQUIPMENT WERE DONATED BY
ALCON MEDICAL
MISSION PROGRAM
We arrived in Granada on
Friday, February 15, 2008, and began clinic early Saturday morning.
We were able to set clinic up and process approximately 74 patients.
In so doing, virtually filled the operating schedule for the entire week.
Mr. Jack Parker and Rosita helped manage the patients while Koula
Callahan translated. Dr. Mark
Drabkin’s bilingualism was and always is crucial to the success of the
mission. Saturday morning clinic
presented an unusual number of complex pediatric strabismus disorders, quite
time consuming. We also received
quite a number of consultations of patients with cataracts and other
disorders from Nicaraguan ophthalmologist.
As always, there was nearly a 100% pathology rate in terms of the
number of patients examined versus the number of patients scheduled for
surgery. A few patients had
undergone previously unsuccessful cataract procedures elsewhere, or had
terminal absolute glaucoma, for which we had nothing to recommend as they
were inoperably blind. The patients receive our prayers.
Saturday morning
Drs. Vargas and Drabkin designed an
orderly numbers system to screen the patients systematically. Drs. Parker
and Callahan examined them and scheduled the surgery.
Mr. Keith Hodge and Ms. Lynn Guzman were unable to perform biometry
on Saturday because the clinic was so busy. They prepared to do this on
Monday morning.
Clinic began at 8:00 AM and
began to wind down about 4:00 PM.
Monday we had one operating room.
The rest of the week we had two OR’s.
We had no surgical
complications the entire week due to the good anesthesia work of Dr. James
Rudolph and Dr. Jerry Clanton with Joe Stowell, CRNA helping to organize
surgical supplies and keep the line moving, a major help.
Dr. Johanna Ramirez, the
new, young ophthalmologist who trained in Leon, is also a new mother.
She is now our contact person.
Although she is not bilingual, she will be able to follow up on our
post-operative patients. We hope
her youthful love of ophthalmology, will enable her to take a more active
role in our mission and benefit from the teaching that we do as well.
She will need our support to “get up to speed” for our annual medical
mission.
GASTROENTEROLOGY
TIMOTHY DENTON,
MD
GUILLERMO GOMEZ,
MD
BECKY COOK, RN
We scoped or
helped to scope 35 patients - the majority of those were upper endoscopy -
with significant finds of chronic gastritis. This became a big draw for the
staff as well as the patients. Many
had never seen first-hand what the physician was seeing.
We believe a clearer understanding
was achieved. The techs in the room were very receptive once they understood
that the equipment would now be theirs, very durable equipment but fragile
with mismanagement - Great
emphasis was placed on handling, cleaning and disinfection with each
procedure. Initially they felt it would slow them down but the Dr's became
patient and the desired outcome worked out well for all the physicians.
Dr. Denton bonded with ease when they
were able to place their training in actual visual finds with hard copy
pictures if desired.
Volunteers, pitched in to work on equipment that was out of order.
With skilled hands, these now work.
Other volunteers aided in cleaning
the area. We believe this has
given the other staff the courage and pride to keep it clean or at least
cleaner
Three scopes were identified in
poor condition and brought back for evaluation and hopefully repair.
These will be returned to the hospital in Granada ASAP. These scopes
at the moment are at IMS under the umbrella of Scopes of Mercy.
Two other scopes for Upper endoscopy are in process of donation for
them
The physicians discussed wants and
identified needs. Dr. Denton is
currently in the process of trying to make these needs a reality.
Dr. Denton
spent time with the Hospital Administrator discussing his belief that the
level of care had jumped 25 years with the arrival of the new equipment. Dr.
Denton will work to help Granada have perhaps the best Endoscopy Unit in the
country including Managua.
Dr. Denton extended an invitation to Dr. Gomez to come to Birmingham, as his
guest, to observe the practice of GI medicine and help identify what would
be of use in his area.
SOME EQUIPMENT REQUESTED -
Varic Banding
Endoscopic Atlas in Spanish
Guide wire Dilators
ESU with ground pads and appropriate active cords
TRI forceps
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OUR GRATITUDE:
AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL USA
VOLUNTEERS
FROM: ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, MASSACHUSETTS,
NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, MICHIGAN, AND NEW JERSEY.
TO
EACH OF YOU: WITHOUT YOU, OUR MISSION WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.
YOU
BRING YOUR SKILLS, PAY YOUR OWN EXPENSES AND WORK IN SOMETIMES, FRUSTRATING
SITUATIONS TO HELP THE POOR IN NICARAGUA.
TO
ABBOTT WILLIAMS, CHERYL WILLIAMS, PEGGY OTTO AND LORI FEIST WHO WORK WEEKS
IN ADVANCE OF OUR TRIP TO MAKE OUR
“MISSION POSSIBLE”.
SPECIAL
THANKS ALSO TO ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS, FOR YOUR DONATIONS
YOUR DONATIONS HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR ANNUAL
TRIPS TO BRING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR OF NICARAGUA.
YOU HAVE GIVEN US THE MEANS TO ACQUIRE, RESTORE
AND EQUIP THE ALABAMAGRANADA CLINIC WHERE
TWO NICARAGUAN DOCTORS, CESAR
SEQUEIRA AND RENE CASTILLO,
SEE PATIENTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
WE SUPPLY 400 DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH INSULIN AND
ORAL MEDICATION AFTER HAVING THEIR GLUCOSE AND HGB A 1C TEST.
TO
ST.
JUDE FOR THE DONATION OF 20 PACEMAKERS AND ACCESSORIES AND THE PARTICIPATION
OF THEIR TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE DAVID PARR WHO CAME TO ASSIST.
TO ALCON LABORATORIES WHO KINDLY DONATED INTRAOCULAR
LENSES, GOWN PACKS AND ACCOMPANYING SUPPLIES.
THEY ALSO LOANED A VITRECTOMY MACHINE.
ALCON HAS SUPPORTED US FOR 9 YEARS.
TO MAP INTERNATIONAL
FOR MUCH NEEDED MEDICINES AND SUPPLIES.
TO BROOKWOOD MEDICAL
CENTER AND CALLAHAN EYE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL FOR YOUR PRESENT AND PAST
SUPPORT.
TO ALABAMA EYE BANK
FOR DONATION OF 7 CORNEAS.
TO NATIONAL CENTER OF
OPHTHALMOLOGY (CENAO) DIRECTOR DR. FRANCISCA RIVAS AND DR. ABRAHAM DELGADO
TO NATIONAL CENTER OF
CARDIOLOGY, DIRECTOR, DR. NELSON SALAZAR
TO HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON-NICARAGUA
DIRECTOR,
DR. JUAN BARRIOS AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DR. YELBA BROWN
CERTAINLY OUR THANKS
ALWAYS TO:
SRA, FÁTIMA LACAYO de SÁENZ, our COORDINATOR,
CECILIA BURGOS, OUR MANAGER, GUSTAVO
GUITIERREZ
AND MARIA ANTONIO LACAYO WHO KEEP THE CLINIC FUNCTIONING ALL DURING THE
YEAR.
THANKS
TO THE NICARAGUAN VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY DURING THE YEAR WHEN WE ARE
NOT PRESENT.
_________________
(2006) BECAUSE NICARAGUAN DOCTORS WERE ON STRIKE, ALL
OPHTHALMOLOGY SCREENINGS WERE DONE AT DR. TERESA BALDIZON’S OFFICE IN
GRANADA. SHE GRACIOUSLY FACILITATED HER OFFICE AND EQUIPMENT.
ALL OPHTHALMOLOGY SURGERIES WERE DONE AT THE NATIONAL CENTER OF PHTHALMOLOGY
IN MANAGUA, NICARAGUA.
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Official Reports from the Center |
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DR. RICHARD FEIST |
28 VITRECTOMIES |
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DR. PETER NIXON |
12 VITRECTOMIES |
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DR. MICHAEL CALLAHAN |
14 CATARACTS |
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DR. MARK DRABKIN |
25 CATARACTS |
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TOTAL SURGERIES |
79 |
ALL CARDIOLOGY WAS DONE AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CARDIOLOGY IN MANAGUA,
NICARAGUA.
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DR. ILANA KUTINSKY |
7
PACEMAKERS
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1
IMPLANTABLE
DEFIBRILLATOR
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1 BIVENTRICULAR PACEMAKER
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1
REMOVAL OF VERY INFECTED DEVICE |
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TOTAL SURGERIES
10
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12 PACEMAKERS WERE LEFT WITH PACEMAKER (BANK) FOUNDATION OF FOR NICARAGUAN
HEALTH. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CARDIOLOGY SCREENS INDIGENT PATIENTS AND EKG
REPORTS ARE SENT TO DR. KUTINSKY AND DR. VARGAS FOR RECOMMENDATION.
THE POOR DO NOT PAY. THE CARDIAC SURGEON COMES TO SELECT THE PROPER IMPLANT.
FOR NICARAGUAN HEALTH KEEPS A FILE OF THE PACEMAKERS THAT ARE IMPLANTED
WITH A PICTURE OF THE PATIENT. A SIGNED RECEIPT INDICATING THE PATIENT WILL
RECEIVE THE PACEMAKER FREE OF CHARGE IS OBTAINED BEFORE THE PACEMAKER IS
PROVIDED.
ALL ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY WAS DONE AT THE MILITARY HOSPITAL IN MANAGUA.
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DR. MICHAEL
BRAGER
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2 ACL RECONSTRUCTIONS
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1 KNEE SCOPE
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1 FEMURFRACTURE
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1 CONGENITAL TRIGGER
FINGER |
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TOTAL SURGERIES 5
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(1) ONE HYSTERECTOMY WAS DONE BY DR. JOHN WIDEMAN AT
THE MILITARY HOSPITAL IN MANAGUA.
ANESTHESIOLOGISTS:
DR. JERALD CLANTON
DR. HUBERT RODRIGUEZ
JOE STOWELL, CRNA
ASSISTED IN ANESTHESIA AND BROUGHT LARGE QUANTITIES OF ANESTHESIA AND
SURGICAL SUPPLIES.
OBSTETRIC/GYNECOLOGY CLINIC WAS RELOCATED FROM GRANADA HOSPITAL TO CENTRO de
SALUD “SINFOROSO BRAVO” IN GRANADA
120 PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED AND TREATED
DR. JOHN WIDEMAN
DR. DANIELLE PATTERSON
DR. GILDER WIDEMAN
PEDIATRIC CLINIC WAS ALSO RELOCATED TO CENTRO de SALUD
294 CHILDREN WERE EXAMINED AND TREATED
DR. HERNAN MORENO
DR. BONNIE MATTHEWS
GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC WAS LOCATED AT ALABAMA GRANADA CLINICA.
364 PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED AND TREATED OF
THIS NUMBER 199 WERE NEW TO OUR CLINIC
DR. JON VACIK (PERFORMED 1 PARACENTHESIS)
DR. MIRIAM CHUNG
DR. ELQUIS CASTILLO
DR. MAGALI CASTILLO (OUR LOCAL DOCTOR)
FOR THIS TRIP WE HAD DR. NICK LOON AND HIS WIFE JUDY LOON, RN. UNFORTUNATELY
AN EMERGENCY AROSE AND THEY RETURNED TO USA.
EYE SCANS WERE DONE AT DR TERESA BALDIZON’S OFFICE BY:
LYNN GUZMAN
SCOTT CHRAMER
LARRY OTTO
OUR GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS WORKED FLEXIBLY WHERE EVER THEY WERE NEEDED,
SOMETIMES AT ONE CLINIC AND THEN AT ANOTHER AS THE WORK REQUIRED:
BROCK COCHRAN, Translator
BLANCA MORENO, Pediatric assistant and Translator
LA VERNE RAMSEY
CAROLINE G. SATTERFIELD
LOWELL SMITH, RN, Translator
MICHAEL POKORSKI, Guidant representative
JUSTIN QUIGLEY
FRANCES OWENS
CHERYL WILLIAMS
ABBOTT WILLIAMS
PEGGY OTTO (Clinic Director)
LORI FEIST, RN.
CLINIC LEADERS:
MEDICINE: DR. JON VACIK
PEDIATRICS: DR. HERNAN MORENO
OB/GYN: DR. JOHN WIDEMAN
OPHTHALMOLOGY: DRS. MICHAEL CALLAHAN AND RICHARD FEIST
CARDIOLOGY: DR. ILANA KUTINSKY
ORTHOPEDICS: DR. MICHAEL BRAGER.
IN SUMMARY 95 SURGICAL PROCEDURES WERE DONE AND 863 PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED
AT THE CLINICS DURING OUR MISSION WORK IN NICARAGUA.
OUR GRATITUDE TO:
ALCON LABORATORIES WHO KINDLY DONATED 40 INTRAOCULAR LENSES, 40 VITRECTOMY
PACKS AND BUCKLES, ALL SUTURES AND OTHER SURGICAL MATERIAL NEEDED FOR THESE
SURGERIES, ALCON HAS SUPPORTED OUR MISSION WORK FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
TO ALLERGAN LABORATORIES FOR THE DONATION OF 100 POST-OPERATIVES HOME CARE
PACKS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
TO GUIDANT, Inc. FOR THE DONATION OF 20 PACEMAKERS AND ACCESSORIES AND
THE PARTICIPATION OF THEIR TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL POKORSKI
TO PHILLIPS MEDICAL SYSTEMS FOR ONE NEW EKG MACHINE AND CART
TO INTEGRATED MEDICAL SYSTEMS FOR THE DONATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR
LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY TO BE DONATED TO THE WOMEN’S HOSPITAL “BERTA CALDERON”
IN MANAGUA.
TO IMS FOR THE DONATION OF THREE GASTROSCOPES AND THREE COLONOSCOPES TO BE
DONATED TO TEACHING HOSPITALS CARING FOR THE INDIGENT POPULATION
TO BROOKWOOD MEDICAL CENTER, CALLAHAN EYE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL AND
HEALTHSOUTH MEDICAL CENTER, ALL OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA FOR THEIR PRESENT AND
PAST SUPPORT.
OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS, FOR YOUR
DONATIONS. YOU HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR ANNUAL TRIPS TO BRING RELIEF
TO THE PAIN OF THE POOR OF NICARAGUA. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE GIVEN US THE
MEANS TO ACQUIRE, RESTORE, AND EQUIP THE ALABAMA GRANADA CLINIC WHERE WE NOW
SEE SIXTY PATIENTS DAILY. WE GIVE THEIR MEDICINES FREE. ON FRIDAYS
PATIENTS ARE GIVEN VISUAL EXAMS AND EYE GLASSES, WE ALSO HAVE 350 REGISTERED
PATIENTS WITH DIABETES WHO ARE SEEN MONTHLY, HAVE THEIR GLUCOSE AND HGB A 1C
TEST, THEY ALSO RECEIVE THEIR INSULINS AND ORAL TREATMENTS.
AGAIN OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS. IN ADDITION TO LEAVING
THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES, THEIR JOBS, THEIR FAMILIES, (SOME VOLUNTEERS
ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR SPOUSES AND/OR CHILDREN), THEY PAY ALL THEIR
EXPENSES.
THIS YEAR WE HAD VOLUNTEERS FROM EIGHT STATES: ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA,
CONNECTICUT, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, OHIO, MICHIGAN AND NEW YORK. WITHOUT
THEIR GENEROUS HEARTS OUR MISSION IN NICARAGUA WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR THANKS TO Sra. Fátima Lacayo de Sáenze AND THE
NICARAGUAN VOLUNTEERS.
WE WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING APPLICATIONS WHEN THE DATES ARE
CONFIRMED FOR 2007. WE TENTATIVELY SET FEBRUARY 16 TO THE 25 OF 2007. TO
MAKE IT MANAGEABLE WE WILL KEEP THE NUMBER AT NO MORE THAN FORTY, AS SOON AS
THE DATES ARE CONFIRMED APPLICATIONS WILL BE E-MAILED.
___________________
(2005)
The Alabama Medical team
returned to Granada, Nicaragua
February 11 to February 20, 2005, for the 6th annual medical mission.
A total of 1821 (+678=2499) patients were seen and a total of 71 surgeries
performed. Work was at three places: The Alabama-Granada Clinica, Hospital
Amistad Japon-Nicaragua in Granada and the National Center of Ophthalmology
in Managua.We are exceedingly
happy and proud that our clinic, Alabama-Granada Clinica, celebrated its
first anniversary on March 16, 2005. At the clinic we have a permanent
doctor and a group of volunteers who are headed by our tireless clinic
administrator/director, Fatima Lacayo de Saenz.
At our clinic we are seeing up to 50 patients daily from Monday through
Friday. All patients receive their medicines free of charge. They make a
contribution if able. We now have 350 registered patients with diabetes who
receive their oral agents or insulin. We are also seeing the gamut of
general medicine, chronic diseases and many pediatric cases. Records on
patients are carefully kept.
We have equipped the clinic with modern instruments: a new EKG machine,
monitor and defibrillator and a YAG laser machine for treatment of eye
problems. We are looking for an ophthalmology chair with a slit lamp so our
ophthalmologists can see patients at our clinic.
ANESTHESIOLOGY
Hubert Rodriguez, MD, Birmingham, AL
CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETISTS
Celeste Neeley, CRNA, Birmingham, AL
Brooke Reeves, CRNA, Birmingham, AL
Joe Stowell, CRNA, Newton, NC
ENDOCRINOLOGY
Nick Loon, MD, Hilton Head, SC (Nephrology)
Rodolfo Vargas, MD, Birmingham, AL
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Weily Soong, MD, New Haven, CT, Director
Stephen Oehlers, MD, Springfield, OH
Jon Vacik, MD, New Haven, CT
TRIAGE-INTERNAL MEDICINE
Judy Loon, RN, Hilton Head, SC, Director
Myrna Horn, Hilton Head, SC, Translator
Tiffany Loon, Hilton Head, SC
Laurie Soong, Hamden, CT
Justin Quigley, Hamden, CT
PHARMACY/INTERNAL MED. CLINIC
Peggy Otto, Birmingham, AL, Director
Christine Todd, Hilton Head, SC
GYNECOLOGY/OBSTETRICS
David Hackney, MD, Columbus, OH
Judy Ganster, RN, Joliet, Illinois
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Michael Callahan, MD, Birmingham, AL
Wade Joiner, MD, Birmingham, AL
Ben Roberts, MD, Birmingham, AL
David Skier, MD, Birmingham, AL
ASSISTING IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
Scott Chramer, Measured eyes for Cataract Surgery, Birmingham, AL
Will Cambardella, Birmingham, AL
Larry Otto, Measured eyes for Cataract Surgery, Birmingham, AL
Nan Skier, Birmingham, AL
Billie Armstrong, RN, Birmingham, AL
Beth Sandefur, RN, Birmingham. AL
PEDIATRICS
Lisa Lustberg, MD, Columbus, OH
Bonnie Matthews, MD, New Haven, CT
Hernan Moreno, MD, Birmingham, AL
TRIAGE-PEDIATRICS
Ashley Hunt, Birmingham, AL
LaVerne Ramsey, Birmingham, AL
TRANSLATORS
Christine Edgerton, Durham, NC
Edward Kissell, Birmingham, AL
Myrna Horn, Hilton Head, SC
Sarah Vroom, Laguna Neguel, CA
VIDEOGRAPHY
Scott Chramer, Birmingham, AL
Terri Jones, Birmingham, AL
OPTOMETRY & LOW VISION SERVICE
Patti Fuhr, OD, PhD, Birmingham, AL
Dunia Mendoza, OD, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Max Bruss, Mission Coordinator, VOSH Florida
Kim Zebehazy, MS, Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Pittsburg, PA
Lester Orellano, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Sergio Romero, Managua, Nicaragua
Lowell Smith, RN, NC
Abbott Williams, FOR Representative, Birmingham, AL
Cheryl Williams, FOR Representative, Birmingham, AL
Claudia Cajina Mora, MD. Alabama-Granada- Clinica,
Fatima Lacayo de Saenz, Alabama-Granada Clinica, Director
Numerous & Wonderful
Alabama-Granada Clinica Volunteers
HOSPITAL REPORTS
NATIONAL CENTER OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, MANAGUA
Ben Roberts, Retinologist, saw a total of 50 patients during the week and
did 3 retina surgeries a day for a total of 12 during the week. More
indigent people needed surgery. The local retina doctor was to perform the
remaining surgeries free of charge using the supplies Dr. Roberts left at
the hospital.
HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON-NICARAGUA
GRANADA, NICARAGUA
HOSPITAL RECORDS REPORT ON PATIENTS SEEN IN CLINICS:
Internal Medicine Clinic 600 patients
Pediatric Clinic 530 children
Gynecology Clinic 339 women
Ophthalmology 290 patients
HOSPITAL RECORDS REPORT ON SURGERIES PERFORMED:
OPHTHALMOLOGY GYNECOLOGY
38 Cataracts 4 Hysterectomies
2 Suture removal 2 Marshall-Marchetti
12 Strabismus
3 Cornea transplants
3 Glaucoma Filters
ALABAMA GRANADA CLINIC RECORDS REPORT ON PATIENTS SEEN BY OPTOMETRY AND
LOW VISIONS TEAM
678 Eye examinations
980 Glasses Dispensed
10 Low vision evaluations with dispensing of magnifers and Special reading
glasses
10 Special high power eyeglasses prescribed, frames chosen for patients and
lenses cut to specification, paid for by VOSH
18 Pediatric eye examinations
3 Blind persons trained with white cane for safer travel, significant other
also trained in sighted-guide
Referrals to Ophthalmology for glaucoma surgery, diabetic laser surgery,
cataract surgery, strabismus surgery
See www.voshalabama.org
and
www.vosh-florida.org for full report.
ACCOMPANYING PARENT FOR MISSION EXPERIENCE
Michael A. Callahan, Jr.
Alexandra Ganster
Andres Vargas ____________(2004) February, Twenty
physicians and eighteen support personnel including three Registered nurses,
one CRNA and one Surgical Assistant volunteered in Granada and Managua. Over
$2,000,000 in medicines, supplies and equipment were shipped.
HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON-NICARAGUA,
GRANADA
GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC was attended by Drs. Gus Dubois, Nick Loon, Weily
Soong and Stephen Oehlers. They were assisted by Peggy Otto, LPN and
Adrienne Oehlers.
573 PATIENTS WERE SEEN.
TRIAGE UNIT FOR GENERAL MED CLINIC
was directed by Judy Loon, RN and ably assisted by Tiffany Loon, Deirdre
Loon, Lauri Soong, Justin Quigley, Lindsey Comas and Scott Comas.
PEDIATRIC CLINIC was conducted by
Drs. Hernan Moreno, Kenneth Zouhary, and Marshall Pitts. Blanca Moreno
assisted.
321 PATIENTS WERE SEEN.
OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC was conducted by Drs. Michael Callahan, Wade Joiner,
Wade Brock and Mark Drabkin. Ultra sound equipment for measuring eyes was
operated by Larry Otto and Scott Chramer.
210 PATIENTS WERE SEEN
SURGERIES PERFORMED WERE:
27 CATARACTS
5 CORNEA TRANSPLANTS
7 ESTRABISMS
1 RECONSTRUCTION OF AN EYELID
1 GLAUCOMA FILTER
GENERAL SURGERY WAS PERFORMED BY Drs. Lee Chapman and William Viar. They
were assisted in clinic by their wives, Karen Chapman and Barbara Viar.
GENERAL SURGERY CONSULTS WERE 125
8 CHOLECYSTECTOMIES
4 HERNIA REPAIRS (ADULT)
1THYROIDECTOMY
1 BREAST BIOPSY
3 HERNIA REPAIRS (PEDIATRIC) DONE BY DR. MARSHALL PITTS.
MANAGUA HOSPITALS
40 VITRECTOMIES DONE BY DRS. RICHARD FEIST AND JOHN MASON
75 patients seen in Ophthalmology clinic
CARDIOLOGY:15 PACEMAKERS inserted by Dr. Ilana Kutinski assisted by Kiersten
Taber
Two additional pacemakers were presented to La Primera Dama, Doña Lila de
Bolaños at our Grand Opening of Alabama-Granada Clinica .
One was later inserted in an 83 year old indigent man, another in an older
woman. Surgery was done by Dr. Daniel Menses (Local Cardiologist)
We have hired local Physicians for Alabama-Granada Clinica, our year round
health service for indigent adults and children
Director:
Señora Fatima Lacayo de Saenz, with help from volunteers in Granada.
Attending Physicians:
Dr. Silvio Cuadra
Dr. Claudia Cajina
A year round clinic will enable us to send doctors, frequently rather than
one time a year. Problems with eyes are extremely prevalent in Nicaragua.
NEEDS
For Alabama-Granada Clinica: 12 Lead EKG Machine, Portable Ultra
Sound machine, Portable Doppler, a Pulse Oxymeter, Ophthalmology exam chair
with slit lamp
ALL TRIPS ARE BY INVITATION AND
SANCTIONED BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH OF NICARAGUA. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
HOSPITALS ARE CAREFULLY DOCUMENTED. PHYSICIANS HAVE CURRENT LICENSES.
VOLUNTEERS PHYSICIANS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL, PAY THEIR OWN EXPENSES.
A RETROSPECTIVE
We have had the excitement of discovering a building in the old section of
Granada for our clinic. We have experienced raising the money to buy it, to
renovate it, to staff it. Although most of the volunteers are not from Latin
America, we have adopted the poor in Nicaragua as our medical mission. We
share the ownership of the clinic with the volunteers in Nicaragua. We
accomplished much in a short time. Our prayers are that this will be a
mission that grows and excites many who wish to be volunteer servants. We
pray that there are those who cannot be volunteers who will make monetary
contributions to keep this mission growing in importance in Granada. We wish
to be a beacon to the poor and those who wish to help. All contributions are
100% tax deductible under not for profit 501 (c) (3).
_______
(2003)
February, We took 34 physicians and support personnel to Hospital Amistad
Japon-Nicaragua in Granada and Cardiology and Ophthalmology hospitals in
Managua.
Ophthalmologists: Drs. David Skier, Michael Callahan, and Richard Feist
41 cataract surgeries in Granada–17 Vitrectomies in Managua
Pediatric Surgeon: Dr. Marshall Pitts–13 Surgical procedures
Maxillofacial:
Drs. James Koehler, Craig Fairburne, and Dr. Kenneth Zouhary
20 surgical procedures
General Surgeon:
Dr. Lee Chapman --11 Surgical procedures
Nephrologist:
Dr. Nick Loon
Internists:
Drs. Weily Soong, Stephen Oehlers, Jorge Pino
Anesthesiologists:
Drs. Deloy Oberlin and Jerald Clanton
CRNA:
Joe Stowell
Gastroenterologist:
Dr. John Meier --Endoscope 11 colonoscope
RNS:
Valorie Wilson, assisted Dr. Skier. Judy Loon (conducted diabetes
classes) , Janet Radford, assisted Dr. Meier
LPN Peggy Otto with Dr. Soong over saw general med clinic
Scott Chramer, Larry Otto (measured for lenses) Lauri Soong, Laurie Feist
worked triage, screening and registering patients for clinic
Pediatrician:
Dr. Hernan Moreno (assistant, LaVerne Ramsey).
_______________
(2002)
We also visited Asociacion Pro-Ninos Quemados De Nicaragua (a hospital for
burned children) in Managua. We delivered equipment necessary to their work
with the children: a dermatome, two cauteries, bayonet forceps, Padget
dermatome blades, Patient Electrodes and Esu pens, Dermacarriers3.1 and 9.1,
for graft mesher and Visera retainers (All Sterile) to be used in surgery.
Specialties in:
Ob/Gyn-- Drs. O. Thomas Bolding, John Wideman and Gilder Wideman,
12 Gyn surgeries
Ophthalmology–Drs David Skier, Richard Feist,
44 cataracts, 10 corneas
General Surgery–Dr. Jaime Bitran, 15 surgical procedures.
Anesthesiology–Dr. Jerald Clanton
Orthopedics –Dr. Brice Brackin 12 orthopedic procedures
Endocrinology–Dr. J. Rodolfo Vargas
General Medicine-- Dr. Chivers Woodruff, Weily Soong and Vargas
Ob/Gyn Doctors conducted breast self-exam seminars. These were well
attended.
A four month old baby with Retinopathy of Prematurity was brought to Alabama
for eye surgery. Dr. Richard Feist did the surgery. The baby stayed with his
mother at Dr. Vargas’ home. Dr. Crayton Fargason arranged for the surgery at
Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, AL.
Although hopes for complete recovery of his eye sight are bleak, he responds
to light and stimulus that indicate hopefully he has had some improvement.
The chances of complete recovery of eyesight are 40%.
(2002), February 15, we made a return medical trip to Hospital
Amistad Japon-Nicaragua in Granada. Twenty one medical personnel from
Alabama made the trip. In the five days we were in Granada, we saw over 300
indigent cases a day in the four clinics, Ophthalmology, Pediatric, General
Medicine, Pulmonary and Orthopedic.*
Orthopedists–Drs. Brice Brackin and Dewey Jones 10 total knee replacements,
were accompanied by two nurses and one tech assistant.
Ophthalmologist–Dr. David Skier 10 cornea transplants,50 cataract surgeries
Maxillofacial–Dr. James Koehler, 12 complicated facial surgeries
Pediatric Surgeon–Dr. Marshall Pitts, 17 surgeries
Pediatrician–Dr. Hernan Moreno
Internist/Pulmonary–Dr. Gus Dubois
Endocrinologist–Dr. J. Rodolfo Vargas
Internist–Dr. Weily Soong __________
(2001) In
February we took 22 medical personnel to Hospital Amistad, Japon-Nicaragua.
We were accompanied by four Operating room assistants, a videographer and
three people to handle supplies. We solicited over $1,000,000 in equipment
and medicines which were donated to the ill-equipped hospitals in Granada
and Managua. Complete operating equipment for Cataracts, retinas,
laparoscopic, and arthroscopic surgeries were included with medication and
neonatal supplies. _________
(2000)
February. Our Medical personnel arrived in Granada for our first mission. We
worked in the Hospital Amistad Japon-Nicaragua. Clinics were held for Ob-Gyn,
Ophthalmology, and General Medicine. We took medical supplies and medical
equipment. Equipment was donated to the hospital and medications were given
to the poor who came to the clinics. The estimated cost of the medical
equipment, medical supplies and medicines was about $500,000.
2 Ophthalmologists–Drs. David Skier and Richard Feist 50 Cataracts and 6
cornea transplants
1 General and Neck Surgeon–Dr. Jaime Bitran Surgeries 8
1 Urologist–Dr. Salvador Marin Urology 8 surgeries
1 Endocrinologist–Dr. J. Rodolfo Vargas
1 Anesthesiologist–Dr. Jerald Clanton
2 General Medicine-- Drs. Chivers Woodruff and Weily Soong
1 Neurologist–Dr. Lacayo
1 Maxilofacial–Dr. Fernandez Maxillofacial 12 surgeries
3 Obstetricians/Gynecologists-- Drs. O. Thomas Bolding, Gilder Wideman and
Dr. Lugo6 surgical procedures
1 ENT Dr. Bolaños
We also took school supplies to be distributed to schools where the poor
attended in the afternoons when paying students had gone home. With a work
team from Highland UMC, we renovated three rooms and paid for building of a
new bathroom in the same area in Asylum La Providencia. The rooms are
currently being used for isolation cases of indigent.
_________
(1998)
After Hurricane Mitch flooded much of Nicaragua, we took medical supplies to
treat displaced poor in the countryside. $35,000 was collected from members
of Highlands United Methodist Church and outside contributors. The money was
presented to the Nicaraguan Red Cross for buying food to donate to the
victims. We went into the fields where displaced Nicaraguans were existing
in hot, black plastic huts. They had open sewage and one water hydrant for
hundreds of people. Dr. Vargas treated and dispensed medicines to the poor
in the fields. _____________
(1995) We brought an 11
year old boy to Birmingham, AL for surgery. At 18 months a garbage truck
backed over him and severed his leg at the hip. He was fitted in Birmingham
with a special prosthesis not available in Nicaragua. In 2002, he graduated
from high school. He plays baseball now. __________
(1993) We placed (3 complete
units) commercial washers, dryers and an institutional stove in Granada,
Nicaragua. Of these: one (1) washer, one (1) dryer and the stove were placed
in Asylum La Providencia, a nursing home for indigent elderly.
Two (2) washers and two (2) dryers
were placed in the ancient hospital. Previously hospital linens were washed
by hand and laid to dry on stones. When the old hospital closed, washers and
dryers were removed to the new hospital built by the Japanese.
( Hospital Amistad Japon-Nicaragua). |
