Posts from 2019
Shukraan Jazilaan (Thank you very much)
Luxor, Egypt
The greatest gift we can give is thanksgiving. In giving gifts, we give what we can spare, but in giving thanks, we give ourselves. Brother David Steindl-Rast We are grateful to so many for the success o... Read More »
Closing Clinic
Luxor, Egypt
As we prepare for Closing Clinic, we are filled with the anticipation of seeing patients again, and the sadness of saying goodbye to them. Many patients returned, some for dressing changes, but many just... Read More »
Our Team (Part Three)
Luxor, Egypt
We are very fortunate to have members of the Medical Convoys Committee of Rotary of Egypt, Cairo South, District 2451 on our team. They’ve helped to sponsor our mission, and members are present daily a... Read More »
Before We Meet The Rest Of The Team…
Luxor, Egypt
While we were meeting the medical part of our team, surgeries continued. Above, we see Sayed with his dad before surgery. Sayed after surgery. His cleft lip has been repaired. The surgeon placed a smal... Read More »
Our Team (Part Two)
Luxor, Egypt
Our Medical Team could not function without the support of a dedicated group of non-medical volunteers. It takes each one of us for everything to run like a well-oiled machine, and we have accomplished t... Read More »
Our Team (Part One)
Luxor, Egypt
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. ~ Winston Churchill What is a team? Individuals working together for a common cause, together for the good of the mission, functioning... Read More »
This Is Why We Have Come
Luxor, Egypt
This is why we have come. Today, we begin to forever change the lives of our patients, as well as those of their family and community. We will see 13 patients, a good number for the first day. There ... Read More »
Our Screening Clinic Begins
Luxor, Egypt
Patients gather outside waiting for our screening clinic to begin. We were overjoyed Wednesday morning to find that all our boxes had arrived to the hospital! Neal Fleming, Lead Anesthesiologist and Ted ... Read More »
Our Journey to Luxor, Egypt
Luxor, Egypt
We’ve had quite the journey since leaving San Francisco International Airport Sunday afternoon with 21 team members and 30 boxes of medical supplies headed for Luxor, Egypt. Each volunteer checks in one ... Read More »
Day Eleven — Namaste
Agra, India
Namaste — A Sanskrit greeting used everyday in India, an ancient Hindustani word open to interpretation One such meaning is: I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor th... Read More »
Day Ten — Leela
Agra, India
Leela has been on more Rotaplast missions than some of our volunteers, only she has been our patient, twice in Faridabad in 2015 and 2016, and this year in Agra. The above photo was taken last week. Thes... Read More »
Day Nine — More Surgeries
Agra, India
Shaurya after a revision of his cleft lip repair, releasing scar tissue to allow for proper lip function and a better smile. Khushi and her mom are in the PACU before her surgery to release facial burn sca... Read More »
Day Eight — Team Work
Agra, India
Daksh’s initial cleft lip repair needed improvement. He is hanging out in the PACU before surgery with some new friends: Michael Lim (Anesthesiologist), Jeannie Petro (PACU Nurse), Lianna Hooper ... Read More »
Day Seven — The Next Generation
Agra, IndiaAgra, India
Sophie Saucedo (Patient Transporter) and Chelsa Green (Recreation Therapist) have teamed up to cover a third position of Ward Coordinator, keeping track of our patients in the hospital from check-in throug... Read More »
Day Six — Our Third OR Day
Agra, IndiaAgra, India
Pankuri (left) and Daksh (right) with their mom. These siblings were born with extra fingers and toes, which were surgically removed. Daksh’s hands before surgery. Tanuja before surgery with the be... Read More »
Day Five — The Smallest Thing
Agra, India
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. Read More »
Day Four — This is Why We Have Come
Agra, India
Today, we performed our first surgeries. Shahid had a simple cleft lip, repaired by a short surgery of about 30 minutes that is life changing. People with cleft lips sometimes lead very sheltered lives... Read More »
Day Three — Opening Day Clinic
Agra, India
Team Agra 2017: Bottom row: Pam Dundas (Head Nurse), Dennis Dundas (Medical Director), Brian Walker (Mission Director), Chelsea Green (Recreation Therapist), Sophie Saucedo (Patient Transporter). Mid... Read More »
Days One & Two – SFO to Agra
Agra, India
Paul Kupras (quartermaster), Neal Fleming (lead anesthesiologist) and Michael Yim (anesthesiologist) unload boxes of medical supplies for our mission to Agra, India. Seventeen medical and non-medical vol... 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 »