Posts from 2010
Two more views from the operating room
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
I could only imagine what my experience in Barquisimeto would be like, being a first time member of a Rotaplast team. The only person I talked to before my trip was a physician I work with at my hospital b... Read More »
Tamara Leider: First, hugs
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
I struggle to find words to convey how deeply humbling it is for me to spend time with the children at the hospital. One look into their eyes and I immediately see and feel their entire experience of livin... Read More »
New Rotaplast Spanish-English phrasebook
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Mission Director Brian Walker shows off the latest innovation for Rotaplast to a local volunteer, a 36 page Spanish-English phrasebook. Sally Weissinger of Berkeley, California was on previous missions in ... Read More »
Angel update
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Today, Angel got his new smile. Angel laughed with an impish grin as he tossed the surgical glove blown up to a balloon while bravely awaiting surgery. Dr. David Morwood skillfully repaired Angel's cle... Read More »
¨He Needs a Smile¨
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Luz Elena brought a newspaper article to the opening clinic with headline, “He needs a smile.” It told the story of her wish for her 21 month old son, Angel, and how she has no money to pay for the Read More »
Opening Clinic: All hands on deck
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
A lush tropical breeze gently blows as I sit writing on the veranda of the hotel at the military base that is our home for the next two weeks. It feels so much better to relax in the evening darknes... Read More »
Arrival!
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Team Barquisimeto 2010 arrived right on scedule this morning in balmy Venezuela. Some team members were quite pleased to be leaving the snow and frigid temps of home. Our full complement of 26 met up in Ho... Read More »
Final day in Aracaju
Aracaju, Brazil
We maxed out our final day at the hospital with surgeries in the morning followed by our post op clinic in the afternoon. We had a great turnout for the post op which is always a hectic affair. About 70 Read More »
An opportunity to learn and educate
Aracaju, Brazil
If an anesthesiologist has a defining skill it is airway management. Intubation, the ability to obtain and manage a patient's oxygenation and ventilation is at the core of all life saving techniques an... Read More »
All Points Bulletin
Aracaju, Brazil
Elielma was ready for surgery when we arrived at Hospital São José at 6:30 this morning. She was the first patient of the day with her mom to follow in the afternoon. It was a happy ending that almost di... Read More »
Handmade quilts: a touch of love
Aracaju, Brazil
Thanks to Wrap-a-Smile, each Rotaplast patient here in Aracaju has been rolled off to surgery under gorgeous, colorful handmade quilts. The operating suites are nicely air-conditioned for the comfort of th... Read More »
Rotaplast: The next generation
Aracaju, Brazil
Christin Blaney, a junior at Ohio State studying medical dietetics, is working in the post operative recovery room . Here are her impressions after the first few, 14-hour work days of the mission. I came o... Read More »
Lucas: Patient 001
Aracaju, Brazil
You have to get up early to be first in line for a Rotaplast clinic but you're rewarded with patient number 001. Lucas and his family made the effort and he received his combined lip and palate repair ... Read More »
A very rare case
Aracaju, Brazil
With a combined experience of 117 years in practice and 92 volunteer missions among them, you would think our four surgeons had seen it all. A four-year old boy came through our clinic with what must be qu... Read More »
Surgeries get underway today
Aracaju, Brazil
Today was our first day at the Sao Jose Hospital and we really made the most if it. We got the call from Todd yesterday that he finally cleared customs with our medical supplies in Sao Paulo and he could Read More »
Eliene and Elielma
Aracaju, Brazil
Eliene and Elielma, a 39 year old mother and 9 year old daughter, caught everyone's attention as they passed through the stations of our pre op clinic. Slight and shy, they both had untreated cleft lip... Read More »
Pre Op Clinic Day
Aracaju, Brazil
Regular followers of the Rotaplast blog know that each mission begins with a screening of all potential patients for surgery. The host organizers spread the word for weeks prior to the mission that free re... Read More »
Touchdown in Brazil
Aracaju, Brazil
A few of us flew over the vastness that is Brazil as the sun was rising over the Atlantic then lunched in the coastal port city of Salvador while we waited for the late afternoon arrival of the team. The Read More »
Farewell
Oaxaca, Mexico
As the last child was seen in the post-op clinic we were all filled with a sense of satisfaction and joy from helping so many children with cleft anomalies. We will be leaving this delightful ... Read More »
Remember Eladia?
Oaxaca, Mexico
Remember Eladia and Luis from the other day? Well, first off, her name is Hilaria. It was very difficult to understand her speech due to her cleft palate. You may have noticed that in the photo she is not ... Read More »
Latest From Around The World
Caltech Women’s Clu...
Pasadena, California
Pictured Above: Marilyn Diaz (middle), seated just like Einstein, in the library with fellow CHATs at the Mt. Wilson Observatory Special thanks author/interviewer Gloria Mullendore and the Caltech Women&#... Read More »
Cebu City Day 10 – ...
Cebu City, Philippines
The final day of our Rotaplast Mission is the culmination of the incredible dedication and work by our team over the last nine days, with 69 children receiving new smiles and changed lives! On this day o... Read More »