February included our fistula team with Dr. Star Hampton, Dr. Saifuddin Mama, Dr. Blair Washington, Dr. Greg Owens, Dr. Dave McDermott, Dr. Joan Blomquist, Dr. Kristi Pielstick, Dr. Yonas Tesfaye, RN Suzy Arencibia and Nurse Anesthetists David Dirito and Kathryn Phares returning to work together at Kibagabaga Hospital. Obstetrician/Gynecologists Dr. Josh Holden and Dr. Eric Fassler returned to start a new program at Muhima District Hospital while Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons, Dr. Ralph Pennino and Dr. Andy Smith continued their work at King Faisal Hospital. New to the IOWD team were Dr. Peter Jeppson, Dr. Kavita Mishra, Dr. Jessica Salak, Dr. Jeff Wasserman, Dr. Paul Cross, Dr. Aimee Chagnon, Dr. Charles Marboe, and Physical Therapist, Rachel Dirito. Dr. Robin Mama, Professor and Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work at Monmouth University also joined us to set up a program for her students with the Government of Rwanda.
We were overwhelmed with hundreds of patients waiting for us! The Rwandan medical students interviewed everyone…and sent the patients to the appropriate doctors…some went to the fistula surgeons, others to the Obstetrician/Gynecologists and many children were sent to our Pediatric Urologist. The team work was fantastic and everyone was examined. Sadly, because of the lack of a well equipped operating theater, with pediatric supplies, at Kibagabaga Hospital, Dr. Dave was only able to operate on a few very young children. He had to tell the parents of 50 children that he couldn’t help their babies at this time. It was a very sad day for everyone. Next February, Dr. Dave will perform his pediatric urology surgeries at Kanombe Military Hospital with the assistance of a pediatric anesthesiologist, Dr. Sara Lozano.