To date, IOWD medical teams have completed approximately 1,000 surgeries. Not only do our surgeons repair the fistulas, but more often than not, the doctors must also perform a 2nd operation that is necessary to repair stress incontinence (leakage through the urethra) in the same patient. Due to the poor physical condition of many of the fistula patients, our surgeons must reconstruct the entire anterior vaginal wall, bladder neck and urethra in these women.

Click on the pictures below to enlarge.

Dr. Sharon Knight tending to patient with Dr. Buo and Dr. Blomquist looking on.	Dr. Kaytan Amrute and Dr. Stacey Wallach with Vietnamese doctors.	Dr. Paul Ritchie in patient ward.
Dr. David Glazier and Dr. Joan Blomquist with Vietnamese colleagues.	Dr. David Glazier talking with Dr. Tien, Director of National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology.	Dr. Joan working with Vietnamese team.
Dr. Sharon Knight, Dr. Joan Blomquist and Vietnamese videographer.	Dr. Sharon Knight and Vietnamese assistant, Tam.	Ngoc, Hoa and Tam...3 beautiful, gracious young assistants at the National Hospital.
Dr. Kaytan Amrute working with Vietnamese team.	Dr. Joan Blomquist and Vietnamese surgeons.	Anesthesiologist, Dr. Ngoc and IOWD Nurse, Evan Epper.
RN Njoki comforting Vietnamese patient.	Dr. Rob Gutman, Dr. Liz Erekson and Dr. Cynthia Hall in surgery.	Dr. Ilupeju watching over a Nigerien student as he attends to a patient.
RN Holly, Dr. Josh and IOWD Coordinator, Fati	Dr. Blomquist talking to patient while Dr. Sanses holds medical records.	Dr. Amayo with nurse's aides Haoua (on left) and Mariama
Drs. Sanses, Dhingra and Bent in wards.	Nigerien medical student, Oumou and IOWD nurse's aide, Haoua, talking with patient in Operating room.	Young patient with her baby.
Unable to control her urine, this patient is waiting for help. Her friend, who has been examined already, waits with her.	Drs. Knight, Walton and Erikson after a long day of surgery.	Anesthetist Dewan (in background) with RN Epper and Dr. Helbraun after surgery on young child.
RN Epper, Dr. Knight and RN Scott	Logo artist, Hamadou Abdou and Nurse Epper	Peace Corp Volunteer, Jessica (on left) with Anesthesiologist, Dr. Kristi Pielstick and patient.
Drs. Hampton and Erekson with Peace Corps Volunteer, Jessica (on left) purchasing jewelry made by fistula women.	Some of the April team with Dr. Abdoulaye and Peace Corps Volunteer, David (in rear)	Nurse Epper with child of fistula patient
Nurse Kathleen Scott giving out gifts	Dr. Helbraun teaching colon-rectal surgical skills. Medical student Oumou on extreme right, is following carefully!	Dr. Helbraun teaching Medical student, Oumou as Nurse Epper looks on.
Dr. Hall with children of fistula women	Dr. Mama examining patient as Dr. Helbraun intently observes.	Dr. Helbraun comforting his patient prior to surgery.
Anesthesiologist Dr. Ricardo Palop, working with Nigerien anesthestist	Volunteer Susan Wetmore getting supplies for Djibo.	Nurse Suzy Arencibia with a child of a fistula patient.
Nurse Yolando Aqui working with one of our favorite Nigeriens, Atayou.	A handmade curtain separates one surgery from another...note the Peace Corps Volunteer comforting the patient all through the operation.	Anesthetist Janet Dewan teaching Nigerien anesthesia students
Nurse Holly and John Alexander with fistula patient's baby	Nurse Holly with her friends	A fun Sunday in Niger!
	Fistula women in the courtyard.