Dr. Capozzi pauses in thought during morning rounds as he visits each patient making sure their operations went well.

DSC_2679Lead Pediatrician Dr. Greg Shay examines our newest patient’s cleft palate. Sara is 12-years-old, and she has never had a surgery before. Her father brings her in to the clinic and tells us that she has trouble speaking and often chokes when she eats. Sara’s mother also has a cleft palate that has not been repaired because their family does not have enough money for surgery. Rotaplast doctors hope to do Sara’s surgery tomorrow.

DSC_2618Elvis has a great sense of humor while waiting patiently outside the clinic. He likes to goof off wearing these silly glasses and keeping everyone outside the hospital entertained.

DSC_2723Things are much more serious inside the OR where Head Nurse Sandra Swiatek, RN moves a patient off the operating table to take her back to the recovery area.

DSC_2630Jesus is another favorite patient with a fun personality seen here coloring while he waits to be taken back for his cleft palate revision surgery.

DSC_2811We met Arianna a couple of days ago and she is finally ready for her palate surgery. Patient transporter John Kaufmann, MD entertains Arianna with Ward Coordinator Sue Fox, PhD.

DSC_2747We near the end of another long day of operations and the surgical team pauses for a brief group photo opportunity. From the left we see Dr. Sam Maurice, Dr. Paul Helpard, Dr. Jim Lehman, Dr. Margot Escobedo, Dr. Angelo Capozzi, Dr. Devi Tantri, and Dr. Edith Giorianna Mamani.

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When you see a patient in a bed, on a gurney, being carried in someone’s arms, or in a wheelchair you will see them with a colorful quilt. These are given to each patient as a gift from Rotaplast. The quilts serve several functions: they are a means to cheer them up; give them a bit of security; and most importantly keep them warm. They are also  a lasting memory of a day in their lives that they were made better in many ways by a group of strangers. This quilt program  is done for all the Rotaplast missions around the world. The quilts are made by volunteers via the “Wrap A Smile” organization: Wrap-A-Smile.