Our January medical mission included Dr. Clifford Wheeless, Dr. Timothy McKinney, Dr. Sharon Boyer, Dr. Julianne Newcomer, Dr. Lori Berkowitz, Dr. Carolyn Drake and Dr. Suresh Thani.

Dr. Lori Berkowitz with fistula patients who were waiting to be examined at Lamorde Hospital

As in the December mission, when our female doctors proved to be competent surgeons (despite the fact that they were women!!) thereby changing pre-conceived stereotypes of women surgeons by the Nigerien male medical staff - our January team also made significant progress at the National Hospital.  Protocols for the operating room and post-operative care were set forth and supported by Dr. Ibrahim Sabou, the Director of the National Hospital. With a specific recommendation by Dr. Bazira of World Health Organization, we now have Dr. Abdoulaye and Dr. Germain on our permanent operating team!!! Both young doctors are excellent surgeons and are very enthusiastic about being a part of IOWD's fistula program. We are delighted to note that Dr. Sabou has clearly defined our permanent team of doctors and nurses. They are all wonderful and determined people who are eager to work side by side with us to see this fistula project become a successful, self sustaining program.

Drs. Newcomer, Thani, Drake and Berkowitz initiated our program at Lamorde Hosptial where they worked with Dr. Sanda Ganda, a Urologist trained in fistula repair.

Congratulations to you Barbara and to all of us for our time, efforts and interest.  I just keep having this image of a huge lake with small drops of water creating ripples, extending outward.  Thank you Barbara and Ira for having the passion to create the opportunity for all of us to contribute to improving women's lives.  Hopefully, all our efforts will lead to a long term solution to avoid the fistula problem in the first place.

- Dr. Carolyn Drake

A fistula patient waiting to be examined at Lamorde Hospital.

A fistula patient and child at Lamorde Hospital

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