Author Archives: Children's Surgery International

The Ethiopia CSI team – 19 strong – has safely settled into Bahir Dar after hours of travel. Today the leadership team met with officials at Felege Hiwot Hospital to firm up plans for screening day tomorrow. We have noticed that the number of people waiting for services at the hospital has steadily increased over the years CSI has been coming to Bahir Dar, an indication of the significant needs here.

We were thrilled to learn that tomorrow is graduation day for approximately 150 medical students as well as the inauguration of the new hospital. Two important milestones which will help meet the growing needs in this region. Leaders from three neighboring countries are here to observe this happy occasion. The team capped off the day by dining together and forging new friendships and professional bonds. We have a strong team and are ready to get to work.

Suddenly, three days of life-changing surgeries and care have concluded, and we are finished. We are already planning for the next trip, exploring ways to collaborate to help more children and families. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a moment to celebrate this year’s work. We are deeply grateful for our partners at St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic and Hospital CIMA. 

We continue to be in awe of the passion, dedication and skill of our CSI team. Volunteers are the foundation of work – their skill, passion, flexibility and dedication are what makes this work possible.  We are so proud and grateful – Thank you team!

Kathy Clinch, MD
Jim Ducharme, CRNA
Markus Faeldonea, RN
Michael Fritz, MD
Jon Grischkan, MD
Karen Hick, MD
Cheryl Holihan, MD
Katie Houle, RN
Jamie Huffman, RN
Monisha Husom, NP
Corrina Kettner, CRNA
Charlee Kimmes, RN
Lora Koppel, RN
Paul Melchert, MD
Kaitlin Nelson – Medical Records
Megan Nolan, MD
Paul Peterson, DDS
Brianne Roby, MD
Maria Rubin, RN
Dan Sampson, DDS, MD
Megan Sparks – Logistics
Ana Vazquez Rojas, RN

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE MEXICO 2018 SURGICAL TRIP HERE – 

Today we finished our work. In total, 62 surgeries were completed. We are so proud to have a strong partnership with Hospital CIMA and St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic, providing free surgeries to some of the areas most needy families. Our colleagues here care deeply for the children and families of Sonora State and most especially those who have very limited access basic health care. We have a shared goal of providing basic and life-changing medical and surgical care to these children, and, together we work passionately to make it happen.

Each child and family has shown us courage, love, determination and hope. Their stories are powerful and moving, and sometimes there’s one that stands out. While on holiday, Ms. Diana, the office manager at St. Andrew’s Clinic, met 6-month-old Vicente’s mother. Vicente’s mother wasn’t exactly on holiday — she was on the street, begging for money. Ms. Diana noticed her carrying a sign and wanted to know more. As she approached, Diana realized the woman was begging for money to fund her son’s cleft lip surgery.  

Ms. Diana knew her organization could help this family, so she talked with the mom and wrote the phone number of St. Andrew’s on her sign, telling her she must call and come to the clinic for evaluation. Mom took a chance and called. The next month Vicente was prescreened for the upcoming fall CSI trip.  

When our team arrived in Hermosillo, Vicente and his mother were waiting. He had his surgery Monday and went home today, with a beautiful repair and new hope! Vincente’s mom told us how grateful she was. She said she didn’t really think Ms. Diana was for real when they met, but she was wrong. Ms. Diana, St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic, Hospital CIMA and CSI are very real  and very serious about helping families in need. 

It takes a village, and we are certainly proud to be a part of this one!

View more photos here!

Today was a long but good day that included 21 life-changing surgeries. The morning started with CSI surgeons reviewing surgical plans with parents, CIMA Hospital and CSI nurses preparing kids for surgery, and CSI anesthesiologists bringing the children to the operating room.

Little Angel, Kael and Santiago were our first cases — all getting cleft lip repairs. Their mothers were so nervous. When children go to surgery their parents have to wait. We wait, we worry, and we wait. It’s excruciating. We assured these young mothers that their children are in incredibly loving and skilled hands. “These are the same doctors and nurses who care for my babies. I have complete confidence in them to care for yours,” I reassured them. While the waiting was hard, before they knew it they were reunited with their children — a little sleepy but overall great. The transformation of the cleft lip after repair is incredible, and moms are so happy and grateful.

Some more complex cases were on our schedule today as well, including a four-hour rhinoplasty surgery led by CSI volunteer surgeon Dr. Michael Fritz. After all patients are out of the post-anesthesia care, the team of surgeons, pediatricians and nurses do their final rounds for the day. The last team members departed the hospital at 8 p.m., and 21 patients were resting comfortably in the capable hands of our nursing colleagues at Hospital CIMA. 

Nos vemos mañana dulces niños! (See you tomorrow, sweet children!)

— Megan Sparks, CSI Executive Director

click to view more photos!

On our first day of surgery, the team completed 20 life-changing surgeries for patients age 2 months to 17 years. The surgeries that were required, the children’s overall health and their family situations may vary, but some things remain constant — like the love, the worry and the hope for a successful outcome.

Today we had a special visit from a former CSI patient, Daniella, who “graduated” from the cleft program after her palate repair in 2016. Daniella arrived with a big smile and a gift for longtime nurse anesthetist volunteer Jim Ducharme. Jim and Daniella hugged and exchanged handmade gifts. Daniella has decided to become a doctor when she grows up, in part because of the wonderful care she received from CSI volunteers, and she wanted to say thank you to Jim, CSI, CIMA Hermosillo and St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic. She and her parents are grateful that she can move forward and pursue her dreams, The sky’s the limit, Daniella! 

Eight-year-old Estrella and her family heard about CSI and traveled one hour through unseasonably wet and cold weather by motorcycle with hopes that they could get help for her cleft palate. Estrella and her family were so tired and scared today. The family lives in a tent in rural Sonora state, and we learned that they have had their fair share of health problems and family tragedy. The CSI cleft team evaluated her and was able to add her to our already busy schedule. We can offer a surgery that we hope will bring joy and happiness, replacing at least some of their fear and anxiety. They are brave to risk so much and to entrust us with Estrella’s care. We won’t let them them down.

For more photos click here.

What an amazing screening day. Our partners at St. Andrews and CIMA Hospital have been working hard all year to prepare for today. They pre-screened hundreds of children to determine which were candidates for surgeries with our team. And today the CSI team, in collaboration with our CIMA Hospital colleagues, screened 110 children for surgery this week. Many were told to return in the future for re-evaluation and checkup; that is one of the unique and special things about this site. For this week, we plan to do 62 surgeries on 57 children in three surgery days.  

One of those children is 21-month-old Yoel. Yoel will have a palate repair on Saturday; his needs are more complex as he has a tracheostomy and a feeding tube. His mother is beyond grateful that he will be having surgery this week. She was told when Yoel was born that he’d likely not live past 4 months, and here he is at 21 months. He will continue to surprise everyone after his palate repair and more progress.

Midway through screening the rest of the CSI team arrived. We were welcomed to the hospital with a wonderful celebration – complete with a band, balloons, songs and many hugs! We are thrilled to be a part of this great community and cannot wait to get to work.

It’s hard to leave. There’s something captivating about the patients we met in Tanzania, and our CSI team will never be the same.

While changing the lives of 37 individual patients is amazing, our biggest impact is definitely teaching the Tanzanian medical and nursing staff.

Before and after cleft surgery.

We held lectures facilitated by our three surgeons and taught numerous nursing classes. Surgical residents observed and assisted in the OR, prompting one Tanzanian resident to make a decision to become a urologist. Even when the surgery schedule was completed, Dr. Siva Chinnadurai was still teaching an Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC) surgical resident.

My gratitude is pouring out to the families here at ALMC who entrusted us with their children. Respect for the people of Arusha will forever be with me. We feel an immense sense of satisfaction right now, tinged with a little sadness that it’s time to leave. Now there is a bit more hope. The medical staff has more knowledge and skills than last week. And as one mother said to me, “Karibu Tena” – welcome again.

See photos here.

Susan McMullan, CSI Medical Records volunteer

And just like that, we’re done…until next time, Arusha! After months of planning and preparation,we did it. In all, we screened 70 children and completed 37 surgeries and 2 procedures. Our surgeons delivered two lectures, our nurses provided classes daily, and we did hands-on collaboration and training every step of the way.

The OR team ended the week with an amazing lunch together. It was a wonderful opportunity to sit and reflect on the week with the staff. And the ALMC team even sang us a farewell song!

Today after the surgeries were complete, the team visited the Plaster House. The Plaster House is a home in Arusha that enables children from all over Tanzania to recover after they have had corrective surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery or neurosurgery for a disability. We loved touring the pretty space and learning how they too are changing lives.

Now it’s time to rest and reflect. Many team members are heading off for safari and other adventures. Some are coming home to return to our everyday lives. But maybe with just a little different perspective.

A special shout out to this incredible CSI team – you are outstanding! Dr. David Vandersteen says it best: “You were amazing, compassionate, hardworking and flexible!”
Mary Bye, RN
Stacey Brown, RN
Siva Chinnadurai, MD
Nancy Corcoran, RN
Amy Erlandson, RN
John Erlandson, CRNA
Bruce Ferrara, MD
Zipporah Gathuya, MDA
Jan Gauger, NP
Michael Gotzsche, CRNA
Tammy Lester, RN
Susan McMullan – Medical Records
Conrad Nguyen – Logistics
Jodi Pelkey, RN
Theresa Philbin, RN
Fran Schneck, MD
Craig Smith, MDA
David Vandersteen, MD
Victoria Vandersteen, RN
Norie Wilson, RN
Tim Wood, MD

Go team!

See more photos from Tanzania here.

A magical moment unfolded at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC) today. With the help of a translator, I was chatting with a patient’s mom. She was anxiously waiting for answers about her daughter’s surgery, when in walked the nurse to share the big news, “Cici’s surgery was a success!” At that moment the English-speaking people broke into spontaneous cheers. No translator was needed to tell the mom the surgery results.

This life-changing event for sweet little Cici was made possible by the partnership forged this week between Children’s Surgery International and ALMC. Cici’s mom said to me, “I am thankful and grateful for the help. Cici’s life will forever be different. I am praying God will allow you to change many other children’s lives.”

And to top off an amazing day at the hospital, more accolades were spoken at our collaborative dinner this evening between CSI and ALMC. ALMC surgeon and surgical educator Dr. Wendy Willmore, with open arms, stated, “You guys are the best teachers we’ve ever had visit. Thank you, thank you, thank you again.” And professor Mark Jacobson, ALMC founder and executive director concurred, “Teaching is the profound gift that CSI brought.”

Gratitude is the No. 1 feeling making my heart thump a little harder today. Our sincere thanks to the donors who believe in CSI’s vision of partnering with local medical staff to build their capacity to care for their people long after we are gone. Your support fueled our trip and gave us the opportunity to come and make a lasting difference. And then there’s Cici. This precious child won over the hearts of the CSI team with her vibrant personality and remarkable smile. Behind her beautiful eyes is a precious child whose life is now forever changed.  Ours too.

Susan McMullan, CSI Medical Records Volunteer

For more photos click here

In the OR we frequently worry about time: How long will a case take? How long until you are ready for the next case? Can we go faster? As we travel around the world teaching our various disciplines, we have the opportunity to learn many lessons.

So far, Tanzania has taught us that it is OK to slow down – at the right times. We had a wonderful session with our host, Dr. Jacobson, this week discussing Tanzanian culture. He explained the meaning of the word mzungu. This is what travelers of European descent are called. It also refers to someone who is constantly on the move. I laughed on the inside as I created a picture of all our CSI team members running around like mad men.

When I am on a mission, I find myself wanting to fit as many procedures in as possible during our visit. Our Tanzanian partners remind us to take a step back. Please do not misunderstand; our CSI team witnessed a team of Tanzanian healthcare workers move expeditiously to jump to the aid of a young child who was seriously ill. They asked us to assist in this child’s care by providing support. These moments become the ones we cherish most and help to build collaborative bridges. We had the opportunity to watch our Tanzanian partners shine.

Upon our arrival this morning at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC), we walked into an extremely busy OR and quickly realized that our ability to do cases would be delayed. When we first met with our Tanzanian partners, they graciously offered us the use of three operating rooms. This provides us an amazing opportunity. One of the senior medical staff apologized profusely for today’s delay and inconvenience. We assured our partners that caring for those in their community is never an inconvenience.

I am happy to report that we had a great day in the OR, completed all scheduled cases, and even added a case. While our time was bumped back today, we accomplished everything we set out to do. While our departure from the OR may have been later than intended, together with our Tanzanian colleagues we did great things and can fall asleep with a sense of accomplishment. 

~ Jodi Pelkey, RN – CSI Volunteer Operating Room Nurse

For more trip photos click here.