The Numbers Do Not Tell The Whole Story

Today is our last day. The numbers are important, but they do not convey the teamwork and coordinated effort that is necessary to achieve such a successful Interplast trip. Our two weeks in Loja achieved the following: 139 initial clinic evaluations; 65 registered patients; and 57 operations that totaled 97 procedures. There were 20 clefts; 32 burns; and 45 other procedures (mostly ear and hand cases).

You have seen many photos of the patients whose lives where changed during this trip. They all touched me so much. I am very proud of Ronald McDonald House Charities for sponsoring this trip, and extremely grateful for my own volunteer experience. I have lived and breathed the whole picture of what it takes to deliver the medical care for the people served here, and I have felt apart of something very special, unique, and compassionate.

This is one of my last entries on this blog, and I wanted to finish with a tribute to the Interplast team themselves. If I have absorbed and retained just a portion of their humanitarian selflessness, I will be a fortunate recipient of their generous spirit.

The Anesthesiologist: From Invisibility to Transparency

Drs. Richard Gillerman, Jim Mahoney, and Steve Parker
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Beforehand, I never knew the important role of the anesthesiologist. Now I realize the skills and importance of their work. And they were flawless during the trip. From left to right: Dr. Richard Gillerman was not only a tireless team leader, but a wonderful roommate. Dr. Jim Mahoney was a great jokester (the wrench in the picture did have a purpose!--to close off the oxygen take behind him). Dr. Steve Parker made an impression upon me the very first day when he told me I would be surprised about the vital nature of the anesthesiologist's work. And I was.

The Surgeons: Tremendously Skilled and Generous

Doctors Nadia Afridi, Tom Moore, and Lisa Gould
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Any preconceived notions I had of surgeons were immediately eliminated as Doctors Nadia Afridi, Tom Moore (Chief of Surgery), and Lisa Gould generously included me in on their work and thoughts. I not only gained even more respect for the technical nature of what they do, but most of all I saw how they interacted with their patients and cared for them so much.

The Operating Room Nurses: Always on the Move

Dawn Yost and Pam St. Louis
Originally uploaded by interplast.

It was hard to pin down Dawn Yost and Pam St. Louis because they hardly relaxed. They were the first to arrive because they set everything up and they were the last to leave. In the operating room, they helped and assisted the surgeons seamlessly.

The Recovery Room Nurses: Bringing Comfort

Barb Cummins, Eva, and Katherine Griffin
Originally uploaded by interplast.

I wrote in an earlier blog about the recovery room. Besides comfort, the recovery room nurses also bring a sense of joy and fun to the patients who need a boost when they wake up after surgery. Here is Barb Cummins and Katherine Griffin, flanking hospital nurse, Eva, enjoying some Ecuadorian music.

The Pediatrician: Care Personified

Dr. Ken Bloome and Two Pediatric Nurses
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Dr. Ken Bloome is here with a pair of pediatric nurses, including the hospital chief of pediatrics on his left. I spent a lot of time with Ken, and I hope that I, by osmosis, have taken in some of his compassion, humor and engaging personality.

The Support Team

Helena and Bob
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Helena Hellberg and I rounded up the team. Helena kept the records and continuously translated for the team. Helena has a great future ahead of her. For me, I tried to fulfill my "gofer" job responsibilities, and through this blog, I hope that I have captured the essence of an Interplast team.