Posts from 2024
Dr. Maureen Valley, DMD, MPH, MS, Appointed as Director of Dental Services at Rotaplast International
San Francisco, California
SAN FRANCISCO – June 15, 2024 – Rotaplast International is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Maureen Valley, DMD, MPH, MS, as the new Director of Dental Services. Dr. Valley brings a wealth ... Read More »
Surgical Volunteers Embark on Mission to Medellin, Colombia to Provide Free Cleft Lip and Palate Surgeries
San Francisco, California
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (May 4, 2024) – A team of dedicated surgical volunteers is set to embark on a humanitarian mission to Medellin, Colombia, with the aim of providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries... Read More »
Caltech Women’s Club Member and Rotaplast Volunteer Profile: Marilyn Diaz
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 »
Speech Pathologists and Dentists Working as a Team for Children with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Cebu City, Philippines
By Marlene Salas-Provance, Ph.D. CCC-SLP, Vice Dean, Professor-A.T. Still University, Speech-Language Pathologist Photos by Dr. Mary Adrianne Dominique “Nikki” Toledo, DDM Dentists and speech pathologi... Read More »
Rotary Partners in Action
Nagamangala, India
Our surgical trip to Nagamangala reunited Rotaplast with our longstanding partner – Rotary Bangalore North and District 3192. Rotary Bangalore North is one of the oldest Rotary clubs in India. Rotary Ban... Read More »
Lakshmi – Goddess of Fortune, Wealth, Love, Prosperity, Joy, and Beauty
Nagamangala, India
Pictured above: Lakshmi and her family with Rotaplast head nurse Sharron Newton during pre-clinic. Lakshmi and her family attended the pre-clinic to determine whether or not she was a good candidate for cl... Read More »
Rotaplast Arrives in Nagamangala for the 2023 Surgical Clinic
Nagamangala, India
Pictured above the Rotaplast 2023 Nagamangala team and Rotary Bangalore North After 16 hours of flights and a two-hour bus ride, the Rotaplast team made it safely to Adichunchanagiri Hospital and Research ... Read More »
Introducing Shelby
Luxor, Egypt
Pictured above: Patient thrilled to have her scarred hand modified for better function. Shelby also offered guidance for her prosthetic left foot, the foot being previously amputated after burn injury. Not... Read More »
Meet Ahmed: Our Champion of Kindness
Luxor, Egypt
Pictured above: Ahmed at pre op. He just received his Wrap-A-Smile quilt, made by quilters in the U.S. to wish him good luck with his surgery. This young man melted our hearts. Taking you through his story... Read More »
The Missing Photos
Luxor, Egypt
Yesterday’s photos seem to have evaporated in cyberspace! But pictures tell the story so here we go…. Pictured above is the Rotaplast Team in front of El Odaisat Children’s Hospital, Luxo... Read More »
Rotaplast International Earns a Four-Star Rating From Charity Navigator
San Francisco, California
SAN FRANCISCO (October 11, 2023) – Rotaplast International is proud to announce that its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Nav... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 10 – Parting Thoughts
Sylhet, Bangladesh
On this final day, before the packing and departing, the results of the mission come through the door one last time for the post-op clinic. From surgical sutures emerge satisfied smiles. What a privilege i... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 9–We are thankful to so many.
Sylhet, Bangladesh
As the Rotaplast Mission of December 2015 comes to an end, there is a lot to be said. Of course, there will be numerous good-byes. But we cannot leave without first saying thank you, as well. J... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 7–The mission goes on.
Sylhet, Bangladesh
After a very long trip from her village of Mymanshingh, 26-year-old Shamola arrived for the lip surgery to give her a smile on the outside to match her feelings on the inside. Her husband and three child... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 6–Meet the patients, see the difference.
Sylhet, Bangladesh
The start of Mahbub’s journey was the village of Dirai, more than four hours away. He was silent and frightened upon his arrival with his father at the Sylhet Women’s Medical College Hospital ... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 5–Time to catch our breath
Sylhet, Bangladesh
At this stage of the mission the team have worked very hard for this worthy cause. A break will be welcome. Today is that day. Rounds of the wards are done by the doctors and the ward supervisor, these are Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 4 – What A Difference
Sylhet, Bangladesh
Day 4 starts early and quickly settles into a rhythm. In the ward, the recuperation of yesterday’s patients is carefully monitored prior to their discharge. Tomorrow’s patients will soon arrive to ta... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 3 – First day of surgery
Sylhet, Bangladesh
The day has finally arrived. The team, headed by mission director Randall Floyd, begins the set up. The operating room (OR) is ready to go. The next stop for patients will be the recovery room... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 2 – Clinic
Sylhet, Bangladesh
Clinic day, people come from near and far full of hope that they could have surgery. The team assembled and set up the necessary stations to assess each possible patient. They were escorted through each ... Read More »
Sylhet, Bangladesh – Day 1 – Arrival
Sylhet, Bangladesh
The whole team has arrived safely and without incident in Sylhet Bangladesh. It has been a long journey for all, however, this has not dampened the spirit one bit. As we climbed aboard the hotel shuttle fo... Read More »
Latest From Around The World
Surgical days 3-10
Nagamangala, India
Over the course of seven days, approximately 48 patients, ranging in age from just three months to 78 years old, are scheduled for various procedures, including cleft lip and palate repairs, as well as bur... Read More »
Day 2: Pre-surgical clini...
Nagamangala, India
The mission starts with a full-day of patient evaluations in a pre-surgical clinic. The surgeons, pediatricians and nurses evaluate each patient to determine whether the patient will be a good candidate fo... Read More »