April 2014

Our April team was made up of our usual members, Urogynecologists Drs. Briana Walton, Sharon Knight, Ralph Chesson, Roberta Blandon, Cynthia Hall, Elizabeth Erekson, Urologist Stephanie Kielb, Anesthesiologist Fatai Ilupeju, Obstetrician/Gynecologist Stacey Knox, Pediatrician Teresa Duncan, Neurologist Aimee Chagnon and Professor Janet Dewan, Anesthesia Nurse.

New to April was Urogynecologist Leise Knoepp, Obstetrician/Gynecologist Lara Hanlon and Felton Winfield, Urogyn Fellow, Darla Morrissey; Spinal Orthopedic surgeon, Jason Huffman, and Ob/Gyn Resident, Jeff Johnson.

Making up the new team of nurses were Marie Williams and Anesthesia Nurses Nicole Dholakia, Patricia Weott, Ann Murray and Jess Holigan.

February 2014

Our February team included IOWD “regulars” Drs. Star Hampton, Saifuddin Mama, Rob Gutman, Blair Washington, Peter Jeppson, Josh Holden, Dave McDermott, Linda Milhalov, Charles Marboe, and David Fish; Professor Janet Dewan, CRNA Kathryn Phares, RN Suzy Arencibia and Mid wife Edie McConaughey.

New to our February team were Drs. Kate Meriwether, Anna Pilzek, Jeannine Miranne, Katarina Eisinger, Corinne Coyner, David Moss, Moise Mamouzette; CRNA Rachael Atkinson, CRNA students Jessica Savidge and Maria Sayson, RN Tracey Hardy and Medical Student, Allison Kay. One hundred and 25 women showed up at Kibagabaga Hospital, looking for help. Every woman was examined…there were many very long days at the hospital but our fistula surgeons were able to complete fifty-five surgical procedures. Extremely happy ladies were sent home to start their lives again!!!!!!

Combining the work of the fistula team with the surgeries done by our Obstetricians/Gynecologists and our pediatric urologist, IOWD performed over one hundred surgeries during our stay in Kigali!

October 2013

After a long summer hiatus, IOWD returned to Kigali in late September. We were welcomed by a new Director of Kibagabaga Hospital, Dr. Osee Sebatunzi and his Clinical Director, Dr. Alphonse Umugire.

Joining us on this mission were our returning doctors, Drs. Joan Blomquist, Sharon Knight, David Glazier, Abner Korn, Bethan Powell, Aditya Dash, Jim Greenberg, Scott Eder, and Michael Yaker. Returning Nurse was Melanie Haller and returning Anesthesia Nurses were Janet Dean and Sheila Murphy.

New to the mission were Drs. George Klauber, Lisa Bazzett, Christian Seefelder, Grace Chen, Renata Scott, Victor Long, and CRNA’s Kara Southard and Jennifer Phelan, and medical student Lena Vayenberg.

Dr. Anita Asiimwe, Minister of State for the Ministry of Health presented Kibagabaga Hospital with a new anesthesia machine. We were able to borrow another anesthesia machine from a rural district hospital, allowing us to do many abdominal surgeries. With excellent equipment, tremendous organization and cooperation, our surgical teams consisting of IOWD and Rwandan doctors and nurses succeeded in repairing every patient who was operated on!