Posts from Currently Active Missions

Oct 23, 2024

Dental Care & Cleft Counseling

Faridabad, India

Cleft lip and palate deformities can result from genetic disorders or syndromes. As technology and databases improve, our understanding of genetic markers and risk factors for these conditions continues to grow. For many years, Rotaplast has partnered with Dr. Tolarova,

Oct 3, 2024

Team Member Highlight – Mr. Sterilizer – Kevin Shultz

Faridabad, India

Kevin Shultz is from the Portsmouth Rotary Club and this is his second Rotaplast Mission. During the pre-clinic phase of the Misson, Kevin was assigned to help with the photos. Each patient was assigned a folder and a photograph of

Oct 1, 2024

First Day of Clinic

Faridabad, India

I noticed this young woman and her baby early in the day on the first day of clinic. Here she is getting through the registration process where they mark the patient to prevent confusion. The next step in the process

Sep 30, 2024

Arriving at the Hospital

Faridabad, India

The bus ride from the airport to the hospital was about an hour. Team members had a chance to chat with one another as we made our way along. Having personally never visiting India, the one thing I noticed as

Sep 27, 2024

Bringing It All Together – Including A Missing Box!

Faridabad, India

As posted earlier the boxes were all packed in San Francisco and taken to the airport. Emerites ships the boxes to India. Each team member is allowed 2 checked bags; however, they only check one personal piece of luggage. Rotaplast

Sep 26, 2024

Bringing All The Pieces Together!

Faridabad, India

To have a successful mission all the pieces must come together at the right place and same time. One essential element is the material items (stuff) that is packed into boxes and shipped to the location. In this first photo,

Aug 2, 2024

Rotaplast Mission Brings Vital Medical Equipment and Training to Kampala, Uganda

Kampala, Uganda

Collaboration between Rotaplast International and local hospital staff aims to improve burn treatment and patient outcomes The mission, which brought a large team of surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, focused on addressing the country’s limited burn treatment capabilities. According

Jul 15, 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 of experience, expertise, and passion for humanitarian work,

Jun 24, 2024

Day 10 – Post-clinicincal Support

Kampala, Uganda

A Ugandan mother smiles proudly as she demonstrates the increased mobility of her daughter’s arm following surgery to correct a burn contracture. The successful procedure has brought newfound hope and relief to their lives. A young boy stands smiling with

Jun 17, 2024

Day 9 – Final Surgeries

Kampala, Uganda

Surgeon Karla Werninghaus, MD carefully inspects a young boy’s burn contracture on his arm, ensuring she understands the full extent of the injury before proceeding with the surgery. Anesthesiologist Laura Joanne Davis points at the schedule for the final day

Jun 17, 2024

Day 8 – Kiruddu National Referral Hospital

Kampala, Uganda

A morning photo showcases Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, the hub of this Rotaplast mission. Situated in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, Kiruddu is a public tertiary hospital under the Ministry of Health’s management. It serves as a major referral center for patients

Jun 14, 2024

Day 7 – Rotary’s Compassionate Touch

Kampala, Uganda

Rotaract member Cathy Lizzie engages two young children in a coloring activity using crayons in the ward. Her warm interaction fosters a comforting environment where children can relax and express themselves creatively during their recovery. Such moments of care and

Jun 14, 2024

Day 6 – Partnership

Kampala, Uganda

Mission Director Brian Walker and Dr. Rose Alenyo stand next to a man who was an electrician before losing both of his hands. Brian holds a prosthetic hand assembled by Rotarians and provided by Odyssey Teams’ Build a Hand® program

Jun 13, 2024

Day 5 – Snapshot of Kampala

Kampala, Uganda

A snapshot captures a woman selling an array of fresh vegetables and fruits, including tomatoes, limes, pineapple, watermelon, and Amaranth (Dodo greens), in the bustling rural markets along the streets of Kampala. This vibrant scene showcases the daily life and

Jun 12, 2024

Day 4 – Surgical Progress and Collaborative Care

Kampala, Uganda

A joyful young child waves and smiles while recovering in the ward, enjoying a banana. In the background, the child’s mother sits with a beaming smile, watching her child with relief and happiness. Pediatrician Dr. Bernard “Boony” Thio shares a

Jun 11, 2024

Day 3 – First Day of Surgery

Kampala, Uganda

A patient awaiting surgery sits in the ward, smiling as they color with markers, thanks to the efforts of our team’s recreation therapist, Trina Coffman-Gomez. The bright colors and playful activity provide a welcome distraction, easing the patient’s anxiety and

Jun 7, 2024

Day 2 – Preclinical screenings

Kampala, Uganda

Hundreds of people from Kampala, Uganda, and the surrounding areas arrived at Kiruddu Referral Hospital for a chance to be seen by our Rotaplast team. They hope to receive treatment for cleft lips, cleft palates, and burn contractures, seeking relief

Jun 5, 2024

Day One – Arrival in Kampala

Kampala, Uganda

The Rotaplast team, including Mission Director Brian Walker and Medical Director/Rotaplast International co-founder Dr. Angelo Capozzi, received a warm welcome from the Rotary Club of Kampala-Nsambya upon their arrival at Entebbe International Airport. This heartfelt reception marks the beginning of

May 22, 2024

The Final Countdown

Medellin, Colombia

It was bittersweet as we said our goodbyes yesterday. We were going home, but we knew pieces of our team’s hearts now belong to the people of Colombia. What a humbling, 13 day experience! Two weeks ago we met as

May 15, 2024

“Happier Then Ever” for you Evan

Medellin, Colombia

Extreme endurance, commitment, and perseverance! A four-year-old indigenous boy and his teenage sister, Dayana Mejia, were determined to arrive at the clinic from Bajo Baudo, a town far away in the Choco Department, Colombia. He and his sister spent three


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Latest From Around The World
Oct 23, 2024

Stories from the Ward

Faridabad, India

A teenage girl with burn contractures on her wrist, elbow, and knee from an untreated accident as a baby arrived at the clinic with her sister, both burdened by exhaustion and hesitant to trust. They were ... Read More »

Oct 23, 2024

Dental Care & Cleft ...

Faridabad, India

Cleft lip and palate deformities can result from genetic disorders or syndromes. As technology and databases improve, our understanding of genetic markers and risk factors for these conditions continues to... Read More »