2014 Pereira, Colombia

Sep 15, 2014

Day 1: The Journey Begins

Pereira, Colombia

The 7th Rotaplast mission to Pereira, Colombia is unique. It is geared toward the more complex, secondary surgeries needed to correct cleft anomalies. It is a major step toward establishing a permanent, ye... Read More »

Sep 17, 2014

Day 2: Orientation

Pereira, Colombia

In the morning we moved the mission supplies and equipment to Hospital Universitario San Jorge. Later hospital director, Dr. Juan Carlos Restrepo, along with key members of his staff and representatives of... Read More »

Sep 18, 2014

Day 3: Opening Clinic

Pereira, Colombia

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 to open the clinic. The waiting room was already filled with potential patients with maxillofacial anomalies (cleft lip or palate, protruding or recessed jaw, etc.) with ... Read More »

Sep 19, 2014

Day 4: First Day of Surgery

Pereira, Colombia

The team was taken to the hospital in a school van donated by Rotary Clubs from Districts 4280 and 7450. As this was the first day of surgery, Drs. Kowalczyk and Delaney briefed the entire team on emergen... Read More »

Sep 21, 2014

Meet Jons T

Pereira, Colombia

We had a full schedule of 9 procedures today. In addition to cleft lip and palate repairs, the surgeons performed an ear reconstruction, a rhinoplasty and a mandible setback. Jons T is an adorable 21-month... Read More »

Sep 22, 2014

Day 6: Smooth Running

Pereira, Colombia

The schedule was full today; the surgeons completed 9 procedures 4 of which required bone grafts. The patients ranged in age from 3 to 29 years. While some of the improvements are externally visible, other... Read More »

Sep 22, 2014

Day 7: Seminar

Pereira, Colombia

On Saturday the Rotaplast Team, local medical professionals, and students attended the 1st International Seminar, “Más Sonrisas Para Colombia”, on cleft lip and palate anomalies. Rotaplast, Club Rota... Read More »

Sep 23, 2014

Day 8: Press Coverage

Pereira, Colombia

Sunday was a day of rest to allow the mission team to recharge after a week of intense work and travel. The team which is preparing grant applications for “Más Sonrisas Para Colombia” (“More Smi... Read More »

Sep 23, 2014

Meet Rosa

Pereira, Colombia

Rosa is 2 years and 8 months old. She lives with her parents and 3 siblings on a reservation for indigenous Colombians. When her father attempted to make an appointment for her at the nearest clinic in Mis... Read More »

Sep 25, 2014

Day 10: READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Pereira, Colombia

The Rotaplast mission made the local news, “El Diario”. Volunteer Patient Transporter, Andy Johanson, proudly displays front page of today’s paper. The full article is on page 3: The article ... Read More »

Sep 28, 2014

Day 11: A Family Affair

Pereira, Colombia

As this reporter learned in the Educational Seminar, both genetic and environmental factors can lead to cleft anomalies. It is not unusual to find more that one person with a cleft in a family. Meet Daisy ... Read More »

Sep 28, 2014

Day 12: Some Final Thoughts

Pereira, Colombia

The Rotaplast medical professionals gave new smiles to 58 patients during this mission. All returned for the closing clinic where their progress was evaluated and follow up instructions given. Many were dr... Read More »

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