As a member of the Saratoga, California Rotary Club and a medical volunteer for Rotaplast International, I have had the exceptional opportunity to travel each year to many of the impoverished reaches of the Third World to provide much needed plastic surgical reconstruction for children born with cleft lip and palate as well as caring for other birth deformities and traumatic scars. At this time I cannot adequately describe the pride and personal gratification that I have enjoyed from being a part of the Rotaplast experience with our team here in Retalhuleu. Most rewarding has been the opportunity and challenges of the surgical team, anesthesiologists, dentist, pediatricians and nurses to apply our skills in ways that have profoundly benefited the lives and futures of over a hundred disadvantaged children. I know that my experiences abroad over the years have deeply influenced my emotions and perspective regarding our complex world. It gives me immense pride to witness the expertise, dedication, fellowship and generosity of my fellow American and Guatemalan medical and non-medical Rotaplast team members who have tirelessly worked this mission to improve the human condition of the less fortunate. The surgery days have been long, the work has been hard, but the memories will last forever!
RG