tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68319899992353759802024-03-14T14:22:31.336-04:00Healing the Children NortheastFollow our volunteer surgical and dental medical professionals as they embark on 7-10 day long journies. Team members provide free services to children in need. www.htcne.orgHTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-64003588246780884612010-04-26T10:07:00.002-04:002010-04-26T10:29:58.036-04:00The Final Stretch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWjeqBkcug0XVIhqXXekuf63sM9GB-2lGkmhzp7VXatxXYLLTBXa7ra05VHxBAlvzBuBglWCkBltBD9WNs8pT_t4ceUtCCd3SBUAAKnAae6gOgkiXV2Kz9rUZDLn44ukdQpyGJJlHl08/s1600/DSC04422.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWjeqBkcug0XVIhqXXekuf63sM9GB-2lGkmhzp7VXatxXYLLTBXa7ra05VHxBAlvzBuBglWCkBltBD9WNs8pT_t4ceUtCCd3SBUAAKnAae6gOgkiXV2Kz9rUZDLn44ukdQpyGJJlHl08/s200/DSC04422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464449473613700178" border="0" /></a>After four days of procedures, 69 patients had been treated by the time the last team members boarded the bus back to the hotel Thursday night. <p class="MsoNormal"> Operating room recovery nurse Ann Critelli was on last year’s mission to Santa Marta as well, and says that’s about the number of patients they saw over five days in 2009. This mission is more intense, with team members working for 16-18 hours, instead of the 12-hour days of the last trip, she said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> “These cases, we’re doing more intense cases that are doing more in the OR and more in the recovery,” she said.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> One such intense case Thursday involved one pre-teen girl with what doctors thought would be a simple removal of a large growth above her lip.<span style=""> </span>But once the operation began, they discovered that it was pure bone, and had to spend four hours operating and drilling to grind it down.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Critelli’s most memorable case this year, she said, involved a 12-year-old boy with a cleft palate. His mother had died when he was three, and his father left him and his two brothers. The boys are being raised by their grandmother, who said the one thing their mother had wanted was to have her son’s palate fixed.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><br /><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><br /><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-YKFK-ZUVMtB8bXrmUwCTGvUKB1q7hyphenhyphenuUJBv2UYtF6yMqhPqOnBhxiVxnlZAf0UHrus1WmcyKHvcLV7Na4A4mfqg6db8A0l4vbAd67SUoHQ4VdX-L3fYAB4lfKMgwwhhhHzOa2tDsnI/s1600/DSC04179.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-YKFK-ZUVMtB8bXrmUwCTGvUKB1q7hyphenhyphenuUJBv2UYtF6yMqhPqOnBhxiVxnlZAf0UHrus1WmcyKHvcLV7Na4A4mfqg6db8A0l4vbAd67SUoHQ4VdX-L3fYAB4lfKMgwwhhhHzOa2tDsnI/s200/DSC04179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464449457824524466" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF2MSVCjn3iycnAzEO9a9wPrcRIJJUDgDHTwAP6pcs8lfKGH0RL8o1Kg4PdasCgXVQtkjn6HxJhmzH9jmJLj0BRXxsQldDkMPMSL4b46n0aqkCHA8rmYXJ1jydTKK-w9Ie3iUbExvtzs/s1600/DSC04407.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF2MSVCjn3iycnAzEO9a9wPrcRIJJUDgDHTwAP6pcs8lfKGH0RL8o1Kg4PdasCgXVQtkjn6HxJhmzH9jmJLj0BRXxsQldDkMPMSL4b46n0aqkCHA8rmYXJ1jydTKK-w9Ie3iUbExvtzs/s200/DSC04407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464449468451603362" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY2yP2dxIt7JRny1bKsICTqvnnUzdF6M-50aC_MbOThhNIgN0fWGYQoYejB2k3Z3cEgC6GeViNUBdvKJwZDFSXxuKoaWHQX31ghLh58JN1PGrhzsmE7BLHL2mf1dueXlKyEm4uuOKEv0/s1600/DSC04161.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY2yP2dxIt7JRny1bKsICTqvnnUzdF6M-50aC_MbOThhNIgN0fWGYQoYejB2k3Z3cEgC6GeViNUBdvKJwZDFSXxuKoaWHQX31ghLh58JN1PGrhzsmE7BLHL2mf1dueXlKyEm4uuOKEv0/s200/DSC04161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464449451299115714" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-56192564922279334092010-04-21T22:39:00.003-04:002010-04-21T22:40:33.596-04:00A Tiny One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMOoc7o2R3AsmNsQfr8hHwPO-TvqoapdgClFL6tbG_YF63IzH6-9OaKsPL8h7HDJyFTs_xkXTZJtx_bMwkiLGCkGzf3uWZT14bsjayahlMJyYJxQv653U8Do-j184Qaav0reJJWK-jBw/s1600/DSC03804.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMOoc7o2R3AsmNsQfr8hHwPO-TvqoapdgClFL6tbG_YF63IzH6-9OaKsPL8h7HDJyFTs_xkXTZJtx_bMwkiLGCkGzf3uWZT14bsjayahlMJyYJxQv653U8Do-j184Qaav0reJJWK-jBw/s200/DSC03804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462786130153588290" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The team awoke Tuesday to the sound of loud thunder, and bright flashes of lightning punctuated breakfast. </div> <div><br /></div>Late Monday, a pediatrician from the NICU had come upstairs to ask our help with a baby born 10 days ago with a cleft lip and palate. The baby was having trouble feeding naturally due to the severity of his cleft. He was being fed through a nasal gastric feeding tube, but had to be weaned off it before he could be allowed to go home, and his young mother was afraid of doing anything wrong. Craniofacial speech physiologist Dr. Etoille LeBlanc met with the baby and her mother, and with a bottle and nipple specially designed for babies with cleft palates, taught mother and son how to feed. Within 24 hours, the baby was learning to suck the bottle and move his jaw. He progressed to the point where doctors were able to remove his nasal gastric feeding tube. <div><br /></div> <div>LeBlanc checked on them again Wednesday morning, and reported that he continues to improve. "You can tell he's better; he's much more alert," LeBlanc said. "It's really cool."</div> <div><br /></div> <div>Tuesday's dinner was provided at the hospital; nobody made it back in time for the hotel's dinner.</div> <div><br /></div> <div>On the fourth floor, where the surgeries take place, Tuesday was dominated by cleft palate surgeries. On Wednesday, the focus shifts toward cleft lips, which typically involves younger children.<br /></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-46165946272934637292010-04-19T18:19:00.003-04:002010-04-19T18:26:03.926-04:00Surgical Day One- Santa Marta, Colombia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG1a5O6TzmUrmWkcWf_WOMrhIX0LJxpvfo323cmhsZOk1yLBZJztP2-2wpCnpoazM124aIvvpu4hyIJGGFacCJhAluZ4AIjjrWl72p1rKz3QTt4M3KXvKDikjTK9boH2XpM-9O_tPLFQ/s1600/santamartablog1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG1a5O6TzmUrmWkcWf_WOMrhIX0LJxpvfo323cmhsZOk1yLBZJztP2-2wpCnpoazM124aIvvpu4hyIJGGFacCJhAluZ4AIjjrWl72p1rKz3QTt4M3KXvKDikjTK9boH2XpM-9O_tPLFQ/s200/santamartablog1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461977364823957842" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >We arrived early Saturday morning, and spent the day recovering from the red-eye flight and planning f</span><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >or the busy week ahead.<br /><br />On Sunday, we hauled 58 bags of medical equipment, supplies, and donated materials to Hospital Universitario Fernando Troconis. Upon arrival, the Unima volunteers ushered us in and hopeful children and their parents and grandparents awaited our arrival.<br /></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />The team saw 102 patients on Sunday. Soldiers provided entertainment </span><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >for the</span><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >patients and their families as they waited in the hospital's open-air lobby,<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >while team </span><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >members provided balloons, which kept the children occupied<br />during the day-long wait. Return patients freely greeted doctors and nurses</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >with hugs and kisses as they checked in for follow-up visits and procedures.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQj0859U7B4sNYgS8divvxiIhqdIKTXWLkoBhIJiVpyyyNjJe_guDWLrugImoCquTevuLkTUCW77vS-PHCYl-INRFqqWd4CjPyt9lQE1L6V2iN7Pyn4loIPZtcLIGkWmWXMg1CtQkHGY/s1600/santamartsblog3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQj0859U7B4sNYgS8divvxiIhqdIKTXWLkoBhIJiVpyyyNjJe_guDWLrugImoCquTevuLkTUCW77vS-PHCYl-INRFqqWd4CjPyt9lQE1L6V2iN7Pyn4loIPZtcLIGkWmWXMg1CtQkHGY/s200/santamartsblog3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461977358015564242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><br />The first patient of the week to be treated was 6-year-old Valentina; she came in with a growth on her upper lip, and left groggy and crying for her mother, but with a reconstructed lip. She would be followed by a steady stream of children, ages ranging from 6 months to 7 years, shuffling in an out of two oper</span><span style=";font-family:verdana,courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" >ating rooms and a recovery room. By the end of the day, 17 children were scheduled for procedures.<br /><br /></span> <script type="text/javascript"> var bannerwidth = '160'; var zonenum = '110'; </script> <script src="http://mail2web.com/cgi-bin/includes/functions.js?d=08101601" language="javascript" type="text/javascript"></script><div id="FloatingBanner" style="position: absolute; height: 444px; left: 1022.5px; top: 100px;" name="FloatingBanner"> <iframe id="rightframe0" name="rightframe0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://mail2web.com/cgi-bin/banner/ad-gst-160600.asp" frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" width="160">&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;ilayer src="http://www.mail2web.com/cgi-bin/banner/ad.asp?zone=110"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://myhosting.com/" target="_blank"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img src="http://www.mail2web.com/images/banners/defaults/zone110.gif" width="160" height="600" align="top" border="0" alt="" /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/ilayer&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</iframe><br /><br /></div> <script type="text/javascript" for="window" event="onresize"><!-- RenderBanner(); --></script> <script type="text/javascript" for="window" event="onscroll"><!-- /* ScrollBanner(); */ --></script> <center><br /></center>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-83076687581170152672010-04-19T17:55:00.002-04:002010-04-19T18:08:52.461-04:00Santa Marta, Again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_xg2usu-N1zaKTkdRNE9OAvDNBEFNWUBrJn_5RlbMgcY83CpqEm4RPGRQSk19uO-DxThsQ34by9jmJi3SPpO_eq0n_Qgd6qHuVTjXSmouasE_xNE328Qf_AF7CQ4G5b5Kj8habZGq7E/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_xg2usu-N1zaKTkdRNE9OAvDNBEFNWUBrJn_5RlbMgcY83CpqEm4RPGRQSk19uO-DxThsQ34by9jmJi3SPpO_eq0n_Qgd6qHuVTjXSmouasE_xNE328Qf_AF7CQ4G5b5Kj8habZGq7E/s200/IMG_0149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461973906080542530" border="0" /></a>Early Saturday morning, Dr. Manoj T. Abraham and his team of 29 others departed JFK airport for Santa Marta, Colombia. After several months of preparation, countless emails and telephone calls, they are off. Please visit the blog throughout the week as they'll be posting daily stories (as long as the internet connection cooperates). The team will mostly treat children with cleft lips and cleft palates.<br /><br />Joining Dr. Abraham are: Dr. Andrew Jacono, Dr. William Kennedy, Dr. Arthur Menken, Dr. Aslie Darr, Dr. Augustine Moscatello, Dr. Bruce Chipkin, Nick Schwetschenko, CRNA, Dr. Kalpana Modi, Dr. Dawn Larson, Robin Birchenough, CRNA, Dr. David, Fenner, Dr. Danny Aronzon, Mary Hayden, RN, Ann Critelli, RN, Miriam Lynn, RN, Carol Meken, RN, Debbie Fritz, RN, Chikela Cody, CST, Ann Conboy, RN, Maureen Fink, RN, Bibi Yasin, CST, Donna Matcham, RN, Steve Nargiso, Nancy Aronzon, Bob Conboy, Veeshal Modi, Helen Buhler, speech therapist, Etoile Leblanc, speech therapist, Annabel Clark and Gregory Marano.<br /><br />This is Dr. Abraham's third time to Santa Marta. There, he and the team expect to treat new patients and provide follow up care to children treated during previous missions.HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-51233135416890966032010-03-24T22:27:00.006-04:002010-03-24T22:35:47.849-04:00A Natural Born Healer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy6omsZ-shP3e6xHtG7-7MfoWogt9UysFP_Cz4pE3wdDzOPLdDaoZbi1g61wEJOaIr5s2NTjAMLvWxghnb1_Hp-klOcmeabQgYu_buUQR0QAyZwoLtGCyGW_jf3fXARm6915FgG2bHSc/s1600/24026_1360710748610_1556797811_922957_2526735_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy6omsZ-shP3e6xHtG7-7MfoWogt9UysFP_Cz4pE3wdDzOPLdDaoZbi1g61wEJOaIr5s2NTjAMLvWxghnb1_Hp-klOcmeabQgYu_buUQR0QAyZwoLtGCyGW_jf3fXARm6915FgG2bHSc/s200/24026_1360710748610_1556797811_922957_2526735_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452394089383335378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana, courier new,courier,tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:85%;">Often we say that it is not only the children whose lives are forever changed by the volunteers of our teams. Victoria Keiser is a senior at Villa Walsh Academy in New Jersey. In her short 17 years on this planet, she has participated in 3 volunteer trips abroad. Below, in her own words, she shares how her participation has changed her life.<br /><br />I grew up helping people. Compassion was in my blood. My dad is an oral surgeon and my mom, a teacher. These wonderful and caring people have formed my 17-year old personality that yearns to help others. In 8th grade when my dad asked me to be a part of his Peru mission trip of 2005, I jumped at the chance. My only words to him were, "Dad, can you promise I won't see any blood?" I grew up wanting nothing to do with medicine. I wanted to be a teacher and be with children every day. I hated the sight of blood, guts, pus, and all those other bodily fluids. I left for Peru and came back a changed woman. I was only 13 years old and after seeing the poverty and medical needs in Peru, I knew I wanted to change my career plan. Oh, I saw plenty of blood and pus in Peru and I realized that it really didn't bother me as much as I thought. I was cleaning the blood off of the dentists' instruments and watching teeth being pulled and children being scared and parents being thankful. I loved every minute of it and I told my dad that I couldn't wait for the next trip. The next trip I went on was to Guatemala in my junior year of high school. I was much more mature and I felt like a bigger part of the team as I was able to make long-lasting friendships with the team members and help out in a bigger capacity. This trip increased my love for helping people and my dream of one day becoming a doctor. My most recent trip was to Belize in my senior year of high school. I sterilized instruments, held hands, taught dental hygiene practice, handed out toothbrushes, and became a true dental assistant. I am committed to Boston University's class of 2014 to study Human Physiology as a pre-med student. I plan to go through medical school and become a pediatric surgeon and lead trips of my own. In the meantime, I am looking forward to continuing helping others and going on these mission trips with my dad learning about other cultures and helping the poor of the world. </span>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-41010896244582066282010-03-11T19:18:00.002-05:002010-03-11T19:19:35.780-05:00For more pictures of our Belizean adventure...<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1195258027/a=2401723027_2401723027/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/">SNAPFISH</a></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-24593036076739212612010-03-11T15:07:00.006-05:002010-03-11T18:12:54.472-05:00Our Final Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our final day was spent at Parish Hall. Reunited, the entire team worked on overdrive to finish treating all of the school children from across the road as well as the remaining children of the area. We also had a school bussed in full of children for treatment. While the day was long and hectic we maintained order and worked hard to finish the goals we had set for ourselves. The grueling day was broken up with a few humorous patients, one including a nine-year-old boy who told us he was having a heart-attack during a filling. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-drEUze9Sq_9TfVX6I8wRIBHtzKEWh_ea1P3pL37E-3OCViADLgO2F8YSFU6giqoKVECkAvHZW2qXvl_qFe8duS1nvG-e7aK6xMb83Id1tZcnYHsdGVFGpl-qfr0yYveOanIQpNm4M0Y/s1600-h/IMG_0389.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-drEUze9Sq_9TfVX6I8wRIBHtzKEWh_ea1P3pL37E-3OCViADLgO2F8YSFU6giqoKVECkAvHZW2qXvl_qFe8duS1nvG-e7aK6xMb83Id1tZcnYHsdGVFGpl-qfr0yYveOanIQpNm4M0Y/s320/IMG_0389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447473460657025314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We were also visited by Dr. Solomon, Punta Gorda's only permanent dentist. He seemed shocked to say the least at the level of treatment and the number of students being seen to. All children that we were unable to deliver treatment to due to time constraints were screened and referred to Dr. Solomon. We also were able to donate over 5 bags of medical supplies to Doctor Solomon's clinic. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfHifG3bgaNVs2fSR8xDboB2eCkirEnHZQhJaAQVLG5kz6wTWdPvOIoCWaTf0RhIkrqg9TewFu44EdJPDvaQ2hBv-m3SwQkivhm9dnAJ3TJj0Ywuu9pc0BS5NrnnyVh0yTp_iooJsIJc/s1600-h/IMG_0339.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfHifG3bgaNVs2fSR8xDboB2eCkirEnHZQhJaAQVLG5kz6wTWdPvOIoCWaTf0RhIkrqg9TewFu44EdJPDvaQ2hBv-m3SwQkivhm9dnAJ3TJj0Ywuu9pc0BS5NrnnyVh0yTp_iooJsIJc/s200/IMG_0339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447473930310687922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJKYuoo60vbuK2US3s64Txsq9IpS5GXH2iyKw08QYur5ny0xSPbAr5j2U_PI5W88MC4PU5i3NSr88wOzaYiS-us84iee1oHHx3QPgxc9FI4cxSGvkkl06CFS6k6eGno2sATi8iVJbZMo/s1600-h/IMG_0402.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJKYuoo60vbuK2US3s64Txsq9IpS5GXH2iyKw08QYur5ny0xSPbAr5j2U_PI5W88MC4PU5i3NSr88wOzaYiS-us84iee1oHHx3QPgxc9FI4cxSGvkkl06CFS6k6eGno2sATi8iVJbZMo/s200/IMG_0402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447473922789859282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUwAPfO_994Wg5Cgb0YLcPHerd3vu-F0Fsx0YmEZMozN0gDxw-7YzloVSia9Qxn6n8Ps5MsWUKQhW0eQrV9HUrWtGWBGzReRUhrhQNAfKc4XOyHBb-z-PIzWfflgT5do3-NS1lAm2xFw/s1600-h/IMG_0408.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUwAPfO_994Wg5Cgb0YLcPHerd3vu-F0Fsx0YmEZMozN0gDxw-7YzloVSia9Qxn6n8Ps5MsWUKQhW0eQrV9HUrWtGWBGzReRUhrhQNAfKc4XOyHBb-z-PIzWfflgT5do3-NS1lAm2xFw/s200/IMG_0408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447473917006224866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our un-belize-able team's treatment numbers were as follows... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We worked a total of 5 days over the course of our time and treated 641 patients.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Of the 641 patients, all received oral hygiene instruction, toothpaste and a toothbrush.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">285 fillings were completed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">42 patients received sealants.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">65 patients received a cleaning.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 529 extractions were performed- multiple extractions on some patients. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Garamond,helvetica;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:14px;" ><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span class="827442113-10032010"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The total value of these services is US$282,150, which includes US$12,800 of donated supplies and medication.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">An unmeasurable thank you is owed to each and every member of this trip, especially Dr. Greg without whom none of this would have been possible. The members of Team Belize and the children of Punta Gorda thank you. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Garamond,helvetica;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-13913334976267227792010-03-04T23:33:00.001-05:002010-03-04T23:34:16.319-05:00Please NotePlease note that because of the continued slow internet connection within Belize we have been unable to upload video and pictures to the blog. They will however be added once be return home.HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-25942570898912252802010-03-04T23:12:00.004-05:002010-03-11T18:14:41.627-05:00The work continues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdkDaiUs7efI6c7Rw-kI2h9z183shpcwN0ZArirxHuVndTdxlsJy0CNURpjrTagEqvYMtWf2rfK_1jGd-UDYA2r9CSvWHOBihvWv_MiQFOOp1AMOTODg8iI0VVtaptwWux3X20N1lYY8/s1600-h/DSC00202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdkDaiUs7efI6c7Rw-kI2h9z183shpcwN0ZArirxHuVndTdxlsJy0CNURpjrTagEqvYMtWf2rfK_1jGd-UDYA2r9CSvWHOBihvWv_MiQFOOp1AMOTODg8iI0VVtaptwWux3X20N1lYY8/s320/DSC00202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446405059950775170" border="0" /></a><br />The middle of the week the team was split up between the Forest Home Clinic and Parish Hall, a community center in the middle of Punta Gorda. The need for dental care is so great in this region that spreading out between center city and a surrounding suburb was the most effective way to treat children from the entire district. At Parish Hall a large multipurpose community banquet hall was transformed into a dental clinic treating patients with extraction, restorative and hygienic needs. With a large school surrounding the hall there were literally hundreds of students being treated throughout the day. From little faces poking through the shuttered windows to screams, some of laughter and some of tears, coming from all corners of the massive room, the undertaking at Parish Hall was definitely an exciting time. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. WARNING, "un-belize-ably" a wave of hypochondria has swept certain members of the team. To date we have self diagnosed... malaria, lice, dengue fever, bronchitis, varying forms of skin rashes and swollen glands. More maladies are sure to come. </div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-39839139008129228902010-03-02T18:42:00.003-05:002010-03-11T18:16:21.149-05:00Forest Home Clinic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1aLdT-RMkZuFx-4mGub7N-9WnhzLcmR30sh5xSjy9g6B2J4YMSIujUpiO_AC2VbyM40VhgljOnzSffCsgrMgrh2vbHpRej7LmuNFaSP5QDo2fCrZyEw3-318ABs_A5EofVprMblmX64/s1600-h/DSC00171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1aLdT-RMkZuFx-4mGub7N-9WnhzLcmR30sh5xSjy9g6B2J4YMSIujUpiO_AC2VbyM40VhgljOnzSffCsgrMgrh2vbHpRej7LmuNFaSP5QDo2fCrZyEw3-318ABs_A5EofVprMblmX64/s320/DSC00171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446404271667772434" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our second day on site was spent at Forest Home medical and dental clinic. Only a few minutes outside of the heart of Punta Gorda, the clinic was extremely well equipped. We had 6 dentist chairs, running water, fans, ample lighting and an eager team ready to treat children from the adjoining school and surrounding area. Unfortunately the crowds did not come in full force. We treated a steady stream of patients throughout the morning but on a whole the team was frustrated they could not provide dental care to a greater volume of children.<br /><br />We did however meet Max. A special needs patient who brought with him an undeniable spirit that touched every team member he met. Waiting before the clinic opened was Max's family. They were one of the first to be treated but before Max was able to enter the patient chair he had to greet everyone he saw with a smile and a hug. He helped screen incoming patients, laughing and giggling with excitement throughout his visit. Luckily, Chrystalla Orthodoxou DDS, who specializes in patients with special needs, was able to offer Max premium care that he never could have received in his home village. To say that his family was thankful is a definite understatement.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-15770712437837243092010-02-28T19:48:00.014-05:002010-03-11T18:18:27.512-05:00We have arrived!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg57hnNXX2taYWFhN5-DIRmT13r6acvdSEwFeyjiPlBQ70HRLqMRTsQaWsZOYiLekDte6_Dd_8oIwyeV7XvGgi5_pDH5qlh0vO0DHM2KJg_mC467IbgcrzQT2wZy4MM6_gf-b16jL0Xo/s1600-h/DSCN2496.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJg57hnNXX2taYWFhN5-DIRmT13r6acvdSEwFeyjiPlBQ70HRLqMRTsQaWsZOYiLekDte6_Dd_8oIwyeV7XvGgi5_pDH5qlh0vO0DHM2KJg_mC467IbgcrzQT2wZy4MM6_gf-b16jL0Xo/s320/DSCN2496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446406244864494946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NG6rXcQznlVM86J4aiqTUOshh42_Ad_O7sCNaRHzwSrAegpyeCyK8SeOyiMoqFdEdb8bQfgvxeFbgSvnZ6NDUAeTnIpne_cuYxH1srugvVDivAhfeqnBOYxKfk5AL-NcCM5HQyWIw90/s1600-h/IMG_3785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NG6rXcQznlVM86J4aiqTUOshh42_Ad_O7sCNaRHzwSrAegpyeCyK8SeOyiMoqFdEdb8bQfgvxeFbgSvnZ6NDUAeTnIpne_cuYxH1srugvVDivAhfeqnBOYxKfk5AL-NcCM5HQyWIw90/s320/IMG_3785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446405831706324194" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We have arrived in Belize, safe and sound.Notably with all 22 bags of supplies intact. After our 4 hour flight from Newark to Belize City we boarded two 14 passenger planes and took the rocky flight to Punta Gorda, where our mission was to be based.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />Our first full day in the field was spent in San Pedro Columbia, Belize - about a 45 minute drive from our home base of Punta Gorda. We set up in the village's school and got to work treating over 100 children over the course of the day. Mostly of Mayan descent, the children on a whole had wonderfully healthy teeth. This however did not mean that our team did not have a lot of work to accomplish today. Multiple hygiene and restoration stations were working non-stop for over 7 hours. Additionally 5 of our doctors were continuously working on extractions of both baby and adult teeth. While some of the townspeople and children were hesitant at first we treated almost every visitor to the clinic as well as educated the assembled groups on oral hygiene and brushing techniques. We left the village with smiles and waves hoping to have as much success as we had today at every clinic this week.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_AJ0z6P9zDuqz93gPaRX95fL3zsZB-KbyS5240efikDSSIW4MhlQA1EyTRsJH7_OcgiZHjiJ60Ei5RE60peFplrKCV18TrX-ejsBcUVGXKWy532v1sk_eu9jMk3gvXajm5wzRap_DiY/s1600-h/IMG_0208.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_AJ0z6P9zDuqz93gPaRX95fL3zsZB-KbyS5240efikDSSIW4MhlQA1EyTRsJH7_OcgiZHjiJ60Ei5RE60peFplrKCV18TrX-ejsBcUVGXKWy532v1sk_eu9jMk3gvXajm5wzRap_DiY/s200/IMG_0208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443669136464760018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><br /></div></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-35378840558531436812010-02-24T21:14:00.002-05:002010-02-24T21:19:45.915-05:00DEPARTURE DELAYED<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Because of the winter storm set to hit the northeast tomorrow, our trip has been pushed back one day. Instead of leaving in the wee hours of Friday March 26th, we will be departing early morning, Saturday March 27th. While this setback will make re-coordinating all of the team members' travel plans challenging, morale is still high and the reason for our trip is only more prevalent in all of our minds. T-minus three days! </span></span>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-30590902083065138852010-02-24T21:09:00.002-05:002010-02-24T21:14:32.424-05:00Packing Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyO37i4bk4l-nhDahRIi0mTFZJJhHPGzqOCHf8E-RFkD6Dawi_kXvhEyVDaNKVxmQJNDXudHEXWdQmwI3AfGw7HnSYzahzfzk2CbrzKrZQ_8PlU4bHjzbWXEF4oEOad5XiIVfnj1hrsYc/s1600-h/DSCN2399.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyO37i4bk4l-nhDahRIi0mTFZJJhHPGzqOCHf8E-RFkD6Dawi_kXvhEyVDaNKVxmQJNDXudHEXWdQmwI3AfGw7HnSYzahzfzk2CbrzKrZQ_8PlU4bHjzbWXEF4oEOad5XiIVfnj1hrsYc/s320/DSCN2399.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441998409595173906" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Packing, packing and more packing. With the amount of medical work that we will be conducting in Belize it is no wonder the amount of supplies that needed to be packed before our trip. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Thank you to Greg - for hosting and leading, Lisa & Chris for managing the collection/tracking of the supplies, and to Barbara, Mary and Dane for packing packing packing.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Photo: (left to right) </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Dr. Lisa Rangel<br />Barbara Berger - hygienist<br />Dr. Chris Wyckoff<br />Dr. Greg Keiser</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Dane Buffin </span></span></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-23599322397159202112010-02-20T18:49:00.006-05:002010-02-21T21:44:15.534-05:00Belize - Punta Gorda, Spring 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKUYhdG3olefffRBcCb-S3ZMTFp_veda2KgjI1-ESXRHr4jlvHg04djg10NGmtnGSvu4-Xk8mbIhBbcP9QB6BCn7pqy8PGkHmOWPdLALZ32_ZKZaoDoQpQ2GlKznWhUPoy_Lmp29Jego/s1600-h/DSCN1652.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKUYhdG3olefffRBcCb-S3ZMTFp_veda2KgjI1-ESXRHr4jlvHg04djg10NGmtnGSvu4-Xk8mbIhBbcP9QB6BCn7pqy8PGkHmOWPdLALZ32_ZKZaoDoQpQ2GlKznWhUPoy_Lmp29Jego/s320/DSCN1652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440892102498629954" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">In less than a week Healing the Children Northeast will be sending a team to Punta Gorda, Belize to provide the children of the surrounding area with dental care. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Meet the Team...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Gregory J Keiser</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has practiced for over 20 years. He is also the team leader. For the past 15 years he has led cleft lip and palate trips and dental missions throughout South and Central America, Africa and Asia. Greg currently serves on the Board of Directors for Healing the Children Northeast and is the Director of HTCNE’s Medical Advisory Committee.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span>“</span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">These services are desperately needed around the world. It is my goal to establish rotating visits to several counties so as to provide ongoing care and to educate these populations about disease eradication and prevention. My inspiration to continue this journey all began after repairing a cleft lip on a 2 month old. Following which her mother said in a tearful Spanish, ’thank you for giving me a perfect baby back.’”</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Rebecca Trimarchi</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> of Carmel NY, will also be assisting with dental work. She has been working with HTCNE since 2007. Hooked on the mission behind HTCNE’s work, Rebecca hopes to join many trips in years to come.</span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span>“</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I think it is great what HTCNE does and stands for. I grew up in a small town and have had many people in my life that have helped to guide me along the way and become the person I am today. With each mission I hope that I can leave a lasting impression on at least one child that will help them in their journey through life.”</span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Lisa Rangel</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> is a dentist form Morristown, NJ. She has joined Healing the Children in Cambodia in 2006 and Madagascar in 2007. While in dental school she organized free oral cancer screenings at a homeless shelter in West Philadelphia.</span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span>“There are too many children who do not have access to basic medical and dental care. As a citizen of this global community, I feel I should help in any way I can.”</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Ray Lawrence </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">is a dentist from Rocky Hill CT. He will be providing another ample set of hands to the on site dental work. He previously volunteers with APECA on a trip to Peru.</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span>“I have traveled a fair amount, and I am always moved by the poverty and illness that is out there. I often wonder how we got so lucky to be born in a country with so much.” </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Victoria Keiser</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> will be joining her father, Greg Keiser as a member of the team this spring. She is training to become an EMT and will be attending Boston University in the fall.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span>“I went to Peru with HTC in 8th grade and Guatemala last year and my experiences there have changed my life. I am looking forward to continuing my education and becoming a doctor, and one day I plan to go on these mission trips as a doctor and maybe even lead one!"</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Kristin Schrock</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, a dental hygienist from Northern Indiana is also a returning HTCNE volunteer. Her background in humanitarian mission work includes trips to Guatemala and Uganda.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Dana Buffin</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> is the Executive Director of HTCNE. Along with her husband and 5 kids (3 bipedal and 2 furry canines) she lives and works in New Milford, CT. She is an ambitious humanitarian who explains her life’s work most eloquently in her own words.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span>“I see myself as a broker of humanitarianism; I know there are kids in need and I know there are folks who have the skills to help them. I like to bring them together. — I think our culture is one of the most generous of all. Nowhere else in the world is the spirit of volunteerism greater than in the United States. When our country gets such a bad rap, I think of the thousands of kids throughout the world whose lives our volunteers have touched. There are kids whose smiles are brighter, jumps are higher and sprints are faster because of our volunteers. I am proud to be a part of something so good.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman',serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia,serif;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Haley Marks</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> will be providing the trip with up to date blogging as well as multimedia accounts of the miraculous work being done on site. She is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware where she wrote a global awareness blog for the student newspaper. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-38681420261264180792010-01-16T11:57:00.005-05:002010-02-21T21:47:19.474-05:00Our Last Day at Sergio E. Bernales National Hospital<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5D-JQNfaGhgKN09LED1s5xDUf_LCCD3NgpQRBLgKZWuYvTSvx9gh1OffoRwZZjX-F6KJbco5-E8M0Lox0Qy5q3NGh0o7mB3nICqK3wQK5o44gcOo_4deMxLbdo9g7YpsJTO06M8r5mE/s1600-h/DSC_6294_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5D-JQNfaGhgKN09LED1s5xDUf_LCCD3NgpQRBLgKZWuYvTSvx9gh1OffoRwZZjX-F6KJbco5-E8M0Lox0Qy5q3NGh0o7mB3nICqK3wQK5o44gcOo_4deMxLbdo9g7YpsJTO06M8r5mE/s320/DSC_6294_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440893873365038066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXuw7yrcDWLkvxHqjar4HqvAmVhUxf_WYPIGJvCM29MC_jo4dEdgKYRGDOWH0WU5Y90A9MJJTiZOBQ9O8w00Q3GBjZixYDYJdGM-20gPBvVozEXMGuWRCi_0W5TH96O27T4X8OYmlqqA/s1600-h/DSC_5657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXuw7yrcDWLkvxHqjar4HqvAmVhUxf_WYPIGJvCM29MC_jo4dEdgKYRGDOWH0WU5Y90A9MJJTiZOBQ9O8w00Q3GBjZixYDYJdGM-20gPBvVozEXMGuWRCi_0W5TH96O27T4X8OYmlqqA/s320/DSC_5657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440893862983510930" border="0" /></a><br />Our three ORs were bustling from morning to night with five cases, three of which were the most time-consuming and challenging we had all week. Our entire team and our Peruvian partners tirelessly collaborated with and observed one another all day by the end of the evening even the most complicated cases emerged from the ORs successfully. Our time with our Peruvian colleagues ended with another round of heartfelt messages from the Dr. Rivera and Dr. Landa and then a night of dancing - both viewing and participating - at a local club.<div><br /></div><div>Onward to Cuzco!<br /><br /></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-25411698426425383192010-01-15T06:16:00.006-05:002010-02-21T21:49:37.457-05:00Everything is Underway...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYmeU-Rj2AinKFfFOAJLld6yc3mtzT3mSYNt3RAPhvyaPSAw_zx7NJsJb-fpIVmJUfzgPjYrfj2LTUsij-mZ2ipgseUax3cNKNU966DaiY2GcUyqQgKOgXh714ovC-mfJGdwDRGvolQQ/s1600-h/IMG_0188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYmeU-Rj2AinKFfFOAJLld6yc3mtzT3mSYNt3RAPhvyaPSAw_zx7NJsJb-fpIVmJUfzgPjYrfj2LTUsij-mZ2ipgseUax3cNKNU966DaiY2GcUyqQgKOgXh714ovC-mfJGdwDRGvolQQ/s320/IMG_0188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440894489038273314" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Day 3: "Patients, Patients, Patience"</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Things got off to a smooth start today. We started the day in the pediatric clinic doing rounds. All of our patients looked great and were discharged by the afternoon! In total we finished 5 of the scheduled surgeries and had to bump the remaining two to the next day due to incomplete paperwork. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That didn't seem to deter the patients and their families. They were very gracious about it and completely willing to wait the extra day. They are the most patient of patients.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While we were waiting for the bus to pick us up at the end of the day some of our team challenged a group of kids that were playing soccer in a nearby field to a match. In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner in downtown Peru and headed back to the hotel to rest up and prepare for the long day ahead.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Day 4: "The Big Push"</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">FULL day... and we were short staffed to boot. Elaine, one of our recovery nurses, got sick overnight and had to spend the morning in bed hooked up to an IV. Thankfully she bounced right back and was back in the recovery room by the afternoon! In total there were 9 cases today - most of the team members worked through lunch and/or dinner to get everything done in time. Success!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-56078918930196899232010-01-12T15:40:00.019-05:002010-01-14T06:42:39.798-05:00Greetings from...<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCcJyaNCBHA1HPuTF0nKUDMuyvdF91LHCt94WEWOn7b5Vg5EaZI0-YINEvG4qF0YtQ8CBm86EpWvM-ZWOlWezUyeaOlHpm0X5SMkl2D7vT9OVB7lm52lfUstdJkF9mMdWuvsC_We_kz0/s200/DSC_5596_1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426060830351969282" /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><b>... Lima, Peru!</b></span></div><div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"></span>This is Seta, your friendly neighborhood blogger, coming at you whenever and wherever there is reliable internet access (hence the delay).</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Day 1: On our way to the hospital</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Today is the team’s third day in Lima. Speaking of the team, let me introduce our fabulous crew:</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Our volunteer surgical team, lead by Dr. Manoj Abraham of Poughkeepsie, NY and 17 of his colleagues are screening and surgically treating over 30 children with cleft lips and palates and other facial deformities.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Joining Dr. Abraham - facial plastic, ENT are:</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">John Bortz, MD - ocularplastic</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Lianne Deserres, MD Pediatric ENT</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Doug Borg, MD anesthesia</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Augustine Moscatell, MD ENT</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">JP Grimaldos, MD anesthesia</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Oscar Fimbres, CRNA</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Wayne Martin, MD anesthesia</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Mosses Bairamian, MD anesthesia</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Debbie Fritz, RN</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Amber Isdell, RN</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Chikela Cody, CST</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">David Fenner, MD Pediatrics</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Elaine Suderio Tirone, RN</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Tamara Faublas, Rn</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Kerry Lynn, Assistant</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Seta Bairamian, Assistant</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Dana Buffin, administrator</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Our team of volunteer medical professionals are working in the Hospital Nacional de Sergio E Bernales with the support and assistance of the local surgeons, hospital staff and two local Rotary Clubs.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">The team is prepared to provide surgical treatment to 30 or more children suffering from facial deformities, mostly cleft lips and palates and will make a presentation to the Head and Neck Association of Lima.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">This is the first time this team will work in this location in Lima. We look forward to developing a positive relationship that will permit our volunteers to return year after year to treat the local children and to exchange techniques and knowledge with the local medical professionals.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Recap Time.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"> <b>Day 1: “The Day Our Lu<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">ggage Got Stuck in Customs”</span></span></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><b><br /></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Our first day at Sergio E. Bernales National Hospital began with a warm welcome from the hospital's president, Dr. Pablo Rivera, as well as our on-site host supervising physician, Dr. Landa and his medical team of local doctors and nurses.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><i></i><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEZr4fCje4zW1IFzmG5b-mzJxgEJJNyHEkW8oY2eKb1N8R3dVEsb34wBa5jrfeFqwpMq0oJ1P8joeqf7WBSMwff8nzi015GHghDK4XkV7yYZBm3qaXf4474ApX9WDWMhT4azu8fUrZ_U/s200/IMG_0147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426306087753261074" /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Dr. Pablo Rivera welcomes HTCNE</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1CcrT-hfFeZ3-Rk2ijkl4WGKs7nALjSQOJOtgObR4ZdtK27Soa2VFPuhDPefAIbt0mB5S5-K643_nh-wPQoCNs1qGqn9OUU-gPyi52eVMDFM5OxMDrA6CiU4o8Efhrh8czG3bUl5bO0/s200/IMG_0162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426308914035731522" /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Dr. Abraham and Dr. Deserres screening a patient</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Half of our team went on to prepare the operating rooms with the supplies we had while Dana, our trip coordinator, waited patiently at the airport for the rest of our medications and supplies to make it through customs (which proved to be a long and difficult task). The other half of the physicians and nurses gathered in the pediatric clinic and screened 14 patients, all of whom will be operated on in the coming week. The team is also prepared to screen any additional patients that may arrive throughout the week.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Some of the children are just a few months old, some are old enough to take advantage of the coloring books we’re giving out, and some are teenagers. All are accompanied by moms, dads, siblings, aunts, and uncles. Walking down the hallway of the pediatric clinic, when you look into every room you see a gaggle of relatives crowded around the hospital bed of their child. It’s amazing. We will also have enough time and supplies to work on some adults in need of facial reconstructive plastic surgery, so our patients really are from all walks of life. The journeys of the patients and their families are incredible. Some of them traveled over a day by bus to be seen by the team.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Day 2: “The Day Our Baggage was Still Stuck,” or, “The First Day of Surgeries”</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Today we woke up bright and early for our 45-minute bus ride to Comas, the section of Lima where the hospital is located. Comas is one of the poorest neighborhoods in Lima. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Dana did an awesome job retrieving our luggage full of essential medications and instruments, which then had to be screened by the hospital. Since this is our first mission to this location so we anticipated we would spend some time ironing out details and communicating with our Peruvian colleagues. But the rest team still managed to get the surgeries started relatively on schedule. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Assistant Kerri meticulously organized all the medical supplies as they came in after passing their inspections. We have a big room for our suitcases that are overflowing with bags and bundles of everything from sutures to stuffed animals. Dr. Bortz, ocular plastic surgeon, Dr. Bairamian, anesthesiologist, and Dr. Moscatello did five cases (back to back!). Most were eyelid and eyebrow revisions on adults. Some residents from Sergio E. Bernales Hospital sat in on these surgeries and Dr. Bortz explained the procedures. They were finished with the surgeries by the late afternoon and Dr. Bortz headed off to give a presentation to physicians in another local hospital and he and Dr. Bairamian were lucky enough to enjoy dinner with several Peruvian physicians.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">The rest of the team spent the evening continuing to repair lips and palates on infants and children between 3 months and 8 years old, removing a cyst from the forehead of an infant, and investigating a mass on the neck of a 4-year old girl (which turned out to be benign). </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">The little ones were rolled one by one out of the operating rooms and into the recovery room, which was expertly decorated by our recovery nurses, Elaine and Tamara. Once the children were adequately recovered, their mothers were able to come in. Watching these mothers see their sons and daughters for the first time after their surgeries was unbelievable. These kids, these families, have new lives now. It’s incredible.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">The last group of surgeons and nurses finished their final procedure around 8pm and stayed for 2 hours of post-op care. In total we successfully completed twelve cases today. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">Good news all around.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">And now a message from Debbie:</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">For all of our colleagues at FASC and Vassar, we want to let you know that we are giving a very good mission and helping many children. Thank you for all of the support and assistance that you have provided us with accomplishing these goals. We couldn’t do this without you! See you all soon!</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia">To everyone supporting us, thank you. </p></div></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-29353814525501899462009-11-20T10:43:00.003-05:002009-11-20T11:28:06.638-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1onZY-Ebjp6t5kWsbmZOqxUwBcxNnoEzjBrHsmMyEvtVe6tGM47ZHJFdrI_Qr2a0gNFei7mW9zsvHl8qzuvd6_J1TNIryZyRPrxqY0xyQDt0VXeytQZ9gorerAJjm_UylBV8X89LnsU/s1600/htcne.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406222987125719890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1onZY-Ebjp6t5kWsbmZOqxUwBcxNnoEzjBrHsmMyEvtVe6tGM47ZHJFdrI_Qr2a0gNFei7mW9zsvHl8qzuvd6_J1TNIryZyRPrxqY0xyQDt0VXeytQZ9gorerAJjm_UylBV8X89LnsU/s320/htcne.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1Y0x8SilPFaFICWvC9px8QCj6DfNraVFRKsOquk7JTGtKWMFzC0GdB3bcVpvAI3hjELVHoN3sMzqFtV9ezXgJSvNwxsAjeaWYq2p6e7WVLoTfJfFjkYty-H5gtdz5U_AFA5HZZqFmRM/s1600/htc.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406222987238919618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1Y0x8SilPFaFICWvC9px8QCj6DfNraVFRKsOquk7JTGtKWMFzC0GdB3bcVpvAI3hjELVHoN3sMzqFtV9ezXgJSvNwxsAjeaWYq2p6e7WVLoTfJfFjkYty-H5gtdz5U_AFA5HZZqFmRM/s320/htc.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>My name is Charlotte Dibb and I am interning at Healing the Children because i am very interested in International Affairs. I am working here because my school has us do an internship with a place that we are interested in a career with I go to school at Washington Montessori school in Connecticut and i am in 8th grade. </div><br /><br /><div>I spoke with a few people that went on the recent trip to Belize and they were telling me that it takes a lot of people to make an operation of this kind happen. I talked to Dr. Jane Petro, who is a plastic surgeon, and went on this recent trip. She was the team leader of this trip so it was very interesting to talk to her. </div><br /><br /><div>Dr. Jane Petro said that her favorite part of the trip was helping the kids that they worked with and then looking at them after they had their operations done. She also liked traveling to all of the different places.</div><br /><br /><div>She also said that it was very rewarding to see the people with their brand new smiles and all of the different smiles that they had. Dr. Petro also said that it was very difficult to put the child to sleep and then operate on them. She also said that it was very hard to put the little babies to sleep. </div></div>HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-25318703305386659192009-10-30T13:09:00.013-04:002009-10-30T14:08:16.551-04:00Success! One Child at a Time...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ_FfbjaO3XlahjHZzG3FYgD-YN-FMX7DTMfnZDj6tUnhKYPCVClVoB4iR1l7M4YmO45XpJR2TuwA9i3Y13awwegCmx9qRU9bGf2H6EjTrPO-d8_qHNravpJJTpqOmRJoLV7l_ClJcm8/s1600-h/IMG_0113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ_FfbjaO3XlahjHZzG3FYgD-YN-FMX7DTMfnZDj6tUnhKYPCVClVoB4iR1l7M4YmO45XpJR2TuwA9i3Y13awwegCmx9qRU9bGf2H6EjTrPO-d8_qHNravpJJTpqOmRJoLV7l_ClJcm8/s400/IMG_0113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398455523018228338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNY2_FO9GQZsr9JqL-rqh6nedzhvLaOo8w7YwvAeSs_wMF800QPIBA0hChDga9FxzLachle6vn1wz3Hd4Ojj02Ld81oEMDJqvsTgBF7ZYT_3KfXlhP8wcchTP2i1ycczq2mM99fGJCRWM/s1600-h/IMG_0091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNY2_FO9GQZsr9JqL-rqh6nedzhvLaOo8w7YwvAeSs_wMF800QPIBA0hChDga9FxzLachle6vn1wz3Hd4Ojj02Ld81oEMDJqvsTgBF7ZYT_3KfXlhP8wcchTP2i1ycczq2mM99fGJCRWM/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398455203806021042" border="0" /></a><br />After 5 long days, limited internet connection, rainy weather, power outages and more, the team succeded in treating 251 patients and completed 222 extractions and 60 cleanings in two locations, Ilha do Araujo and Condado - a location that bore the brunt of an historic flood in January 2009.<br /><br />This second location was a surprise to the team and the community as it was only decided at 8 am that very morning that the team would set up clinic in the Family Center - an open air assistance center.<br /><br />Upon arrival at the family center, we found a very willing and able assistant named "Dona Elaine". She was just as surprised as we were and graciously accepted us into her space.<br /><br />Within minutes of our arrival, word spread through the community and throngs of residents began to arrive.<br /><br />In need of more tables, we quickly began to scout the local houses and comandered the dining and kitchen table of Pedro, a very willing and kind man.<br /><br />We were able to convince the children that "bugs" are eating their teeth and they only way to kill the bugs is to brush, brush, brush. Apprehensive faces sometimes left the dental table with smiles, sometimes in tears.HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-37589984238644221122009-10-25T09:50:00.005-04:002009-10-25T10:28:36.519-04:00We've Arrived!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBBR5HGbSO3Yhdr4m-QFsByDdpm40s1xT-XdjBughOECHrq1zeCe1-Mui2ulHxlE0aenUb8K9YIeARIXkpViQB2Qk4psYNTOg_mQqEsUZAkR0IZx0eSss0qs_kwieErswG3HTMp5g38c/s1600-h/DSCN2121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBBR5HGbSO3Yhdr4m-QFsByDdpm40s1xT-XdjBughOECHrq1zeCe1-Mui2ulHxlE0aenUb8K9YIeARIXkpViQB2Qk4psYNTOg_mQqEsUZAkR0IZx0eSss0qs_kwieErswG3HTMp5g38c/s400/DSCN2121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396542960202170738" border="0" /></a><br />After 26 hours of travel, 1 long plane ride, a shorter bus ride through the winding country side and one 20 minute boat ride, we arrived on the Ilha do Araujo.<br /><br />After a hot showers and a meal, the team was down for the night.<br /><br />An early wake up, a hearty breakfast and a walk down up and down the trail, the team reached the school and clinic where they would be working. In the first day, our small but might team, screened 40 patients and treated 19. A majority of the children when asked, replied that this was their first dental visit. That's a good thing - they don't know to be fearful.<br /><br />Throughout the day, children began showing up with mom or dad or siblings in tow. All received oral hygiene instruction and left with a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss - their "badge of honor". Several requests for extra toothbrushes for those at home were politely refused. They are an incentive to get the unwilling to come for a visit.<br /><br />We'll see what tomorrow brings!HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831989999235375980.post-38960499899450858182009-10-16T01:02:00.000-04:002009-10-21T19:30:20.594-04:00Preparations Are Under Way<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh75EJvnOu-FtHRVGEeoJQvj3Ehn-4w9feFTni6p1l8suy4n1sAdJL9BoS5yZifQAWXFA58cCffLu1fAFO6egZe2kLjB5lKxF9mLKv8F2hfKtiWB44X65RGmspXBy76dSjNx6wcyD7z4/s1600-h/n543556191_1640832_3191795.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh75EJvnOu-FtHRVGEeoJQvj3Ehn-4w9feFTni6p1l8suy4n1sAdJL9BoS5yZifQAWXFA58cCffLu1fAFO6egZe2kLjB5lKxF9mLKv8F2hfKtiWB44X65RGmspXBy76dSjNx6wcyD7z4/s400/n543556191_1640832_3191795.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394772927673100562" border="0" /></a><br />On Thursday, October 22, a small, but mighty, team departs for a volunteer dental mission to <a href="http://www.paraty.com.br/iindex.asp">Paraty</a>, Brazil. The team of 6 will treat the children on the island of Ilha do Araujo in the state of Rio de Janeiro.<br /><br />Team members include Dr. Robert Arbuckle (Wilton, CT), Dr. Caprice Dakwar (Rochester, NY), Susan Frank - RDH (Harrison, NY) , Rebecca Trimarchi - dental assistant (Carmel, NY), Sharon Kleinberg - assistant (New York, NY) and Dana Buffin - team administrator (Sherman, CT). For Sharon and Susan this will be their first experience as volunteers on a dental mission.<br /><br />The team will work in 2 different locations over the course of 5 days and expects to provide oral hygiene instruction, cleanings and extractions to 400 patients. While dental care is available in Brazil, it is financially out of reach for the children of the <i><b>Caiçara, </b></i>the fishermen of the island.<br /><br />Many months have gone into planning this mission and the team members all pay for travel expenses and in country expenses out of pocket. Fortunately, the team is being hosted in the private home of <a href="http://www.anunciodetemporada.com.br/441/casa-em-ilha-paradisiaca-paraty-rj">Silvia and Graziella Pazzanese.</a><br /><br />OK, OK, so the accommodations aren't too shabby.<br /><br />A quick note of thanks to <a href="http://%20http//www.nysupersmiles.com/1_our_staff.php">Margarety Premoli</a> who graciously agreed to translate documents and supply lists for the team after an "out of the blue" phone call requesting her help. To Missy Law, of the HTC home office, who in her 24 years with HTC has played a crucial role in helping thousands and thousands of children. And to Danilo Santos for his time and energy in securing supplies and equipment for the team.<br /><br />We hope that you'll check in with us as we post photos, thoughts and experiences from each day.<br /><br />After 5 days of back breaking work (the team does not work in a true dental clinic, but rather, fashions "dental chairs" from school desks and chairs), the team will spend Halloween weekend in Rio.<br /><br />We hope that you will join us on our journey...healing the children, one tooth at a time.HTCNEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818035361039866218noreply@blogger.com1