Posts from Currently Active Missions

Loss of a Great One, Joe Grasso

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It is with a heavy heart we inform you of the passing of Phillip Joseph Grasso on March 28, 2021. Since 2008 Joe has devoted his time, talent and treasure to Rotaplast which became his passion and for him another

Passing of Rotarian Bent Harder

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It is with great sorrow to inform of the passing on February 10, 2021 of Bent Harder. Bent devoted his time and money to six Rotaplast missions in Venezuela, China, El Salvador, Peru and the Philippines. He was a dedicated

Reflection – Liberia

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A beautiful piece of artwork by David Cachay of Rotaplast surgeon Ian Wilson, memorializing the work done on a Rotaplast mission to Liberia in 2012.  Both David and Ian were on that mission.  David’s story: This is an interesting story

A story by Dr. Paul Helpard: The Miracle Behind the Lip!

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In May of 2017, I, Dr. Paul Helpard, had the pleasure of meeting a young and vibrant 21-year-old woman named Milagros when I participated as an orthodontist on my third Rotaplast Mission and second in Lima, Peru. Our mission team

Successful Mission to Agra, India on the Eve of Coronavirus Pandemic

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Rotaplast’s finale before our current pause due to the Coronavirus Pandemic was a productive mission to Agra, India. The team successfully operated on 82 patients including many with severe contractures and scars due to untreated burn injuries. The medical leader

Loss of a Great Surgeon and Supporter

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We recently lost a great surgeon who contributed his skills and time on Rotaplast missions in India and Venezuela, and was a great humanitarian.  Dr. Holman will be missed. Paul David Holman, M.D., age 77, of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Letter from the Rotaplast Founders

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A Letter to the Rotaplast Family – When we started planning for a Rotaplast mission nearly thirty years ago, as a World Community Service Project of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, we never thought our dream would be so

A Tribute to Terry Hodskins

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Rotaplast lost a dear friend on May 29, 2020 with the passing of Terry (Hodskins) Fullum. It was Terry’s inspiration nearly 20 years ago that led to the founding of the project Wrap-A-Smile to provide quilted blankets to Rotaplast’s postoperative

Post-Op Clinic – Thank You – Namaste

Agra, India

Strength Among Us Today is our last day, and it started with the Post-Op Clinic, seeing the patients that underwent surgery was bittersweet.  We are happy to see their progress and improvement, but will miss them, and the lessons of

Entertaining Kids – Flexibility – Surgeons – Anesthesiologists

Agra, India

Entertaining Kids There are certain things that are consistent with children all around the world.  First, when you are trying to get them to sit quietly, for any extended period of time, it can be a challenge.  When some of

6th Surgical Day – Very Busy – 18 Surgeries

Agra, India

Today was the 6th day of surgeries and all  gave their best effort which resulted in 18 surgeries!  Thanks team. Baby Ruby We had multiple cleft lip and palate surgeries today.  But the most memorable for the Rotary Club of

Dr. Goel – Giving back to her Peeps

Agra, India

Dr. Goel enjoys returning to help her “peeps.”  She feels she owes her country and her people a debt.  She completed her medical school in India before immigrating to the U.S. 35 years ago.   She feels she needs to give

PACU & Ward Staff

Agra, India

The Post Anesthesia Care Unit is where the patients are transferred from surgery until they wake up. The PACU room has three beds for the patients to use as they wake up from surgery. After the patients wake up from

Grit & Clearing for Surgery

Agra, India

Determination and Grit – – Vavita When I first saw Vavita I was astounded that someone could survive the horrible burns she had experienced.  The burns were all over her upper body from her eyes down her abdomen and both

Thank you to our quilters……

Agra, India

The quilts you have seen are donated by Wrap-A-Smile. Wrap-A-Smile Wrap-A-Smile was started by Terry Hodskins of the Wells Maine Rotary Club and to date over 24,700 hand-made cotton quilts have been shared around the world. Also, on this trip,

Check on Patients then Check out Taj Mahal

Agra, India

It is Sunday, and the crew has been given a much needed day of rest.  The plan is to go see the Taj Mahal, but first, the surgeons need to check on their patients from the day before. We got

I’m going to help you take a nap…..

Agra, India

I overheard anesthesiologist Dr. Anderson talking to a 10-year-old girl and her father outside the operating room explaining to them about the surgery.  As he knelt down in front of the girl and making sure he was on her level,

Changing lives

Agra, India

Neetesh has such beautiful eyes.  She was born with a cleft lip which was successfully repaired. Nikhil’s Birthday wishes came true with the surgery on his hand by Dr. Solis. Before the patients are taken to the operating room, the

Happy Birthday Mark

Agra, India

Surgeries Start

Agra, India

Today, the surgeries start.  The patients and the families consider the changes that these surgeries will bring to their families. First a debriefing by Lead Anesthesiologist Dr. Fleming.  Then all to their posts.  The families came the night before to