F.O.R. - Friends Of Rudy


Accomplishments -
The Friends of Rudy have been busy...

JANUARY 29 THROUGH FEBRUARY 6, 2010

WHEN OUR TEAM WAS IN NICARAGUA IN 2008, ILANA KUTINSKY, DO, DISCOVERED SEVERAL YOUNG ADULTS WHO NEEDED RHYTHM RESTORED TO THEIR HEARTS.  WITH THE BLESSING OF FOR NICARAGUAN HEALTH, SHE INITIATED A PROJECT SHE NAMED:

RESTORE THE RHYTHM (SALVANDO CORAZONES) SAVING HEARTS

CONTINUED TO FLOURISH FROM ITS INCEPTION IN AUGUST, 2008, IN BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, ROYAL OAKS, MICHIGAN, TO THE INTRODUCTION OF ABLATION EQUIPMENT AT THE MILITARY HOSPITAL,  MANAGUA, NICARAGUA IN FEBRUARY, 2009. DR. K CHING MAN WAS GREETED IN MANAGUA IN JANUARY, 2010 BY ONE OF THE YOUNG MEN WHO HAD RECEIVED AN ABLATION  DONE BY DR. CHING MAN IN MICHIGAN.     

EMMANUEL  HAD BEEN RELEGATED TO A SEDENTARY LIFE BY THE IRREGULARITY OF HIS HEART RHYTHM.  AT THE MANAGUA AIRPORT EMMANUEL PRESENTED DR. CHING MAN A FIRST PLACE MEDAL HE HAD WON IN A RACE. EMMANUEL WORKED WITH US FOR THE WEEK IN GRANADA AT OUR ALABAMA GRANADA CLINICA TRANSLATING FOR OUR GROUP. 

IN 2010 THE GROUP FROM MICHIGAN REASSEMBLED THE ABLATION EQUIPMENT AT THE MILITARY HOSPITAL IN MANAGUA.

MILITARY HOSPITAL

RENE DARCE, MD:  MEDICAL DIRECTOR

HUGO ARGUELLO, MD:  DEPUTY DIRECTOR

INFORMATION BY ILANA KUTINSKY, DO

ABLATION TEAM FROM MICHIGAN

information supplied by Arthur T. Mize and Dr. Machado CHRISTIAN MACHADO, MD,  K CHING MAN, MD, TIM MCELROY, TECHNICIAN,  DANNY HOLMES, RCIS, ARTHUR T. MIZE, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST

13 PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED

EP STUDIES WERE DONE ON 12 PATIENTS

12 PATIENTS RECEIVED ABLATIONS

1        PATIENT RECEIVED A SINGLE CHAMBER ICD.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WAS SUPPLIED BY MEDTRONICS, BOSTON SCIENTIFIC, BIOSENSE AND SAINT JUDE.

CENTRO NACIONAL DE CARDIOLOGIA, AND HOSPITAL ALEMAN, MANAGUA

NELSON SALAZAR, MD.  DIRECTOR
information Supplied by Randy Stephens, 

JOAQUIN G. ARCINIEGAS, MD, CARDIOLOGIST, ALABAMA

R. JESSIE  STEPHENS,  DSM  ALABAMA

   SURGERIES PERFORMED
 MEDICAL SUPPLIES CAME FROM MEDTRONIC

   12    DUAL CHAMBER PACEMAKERS  IMPLANTED

   1        DUAL CHAMBER DEFIBRILLATORS

   1        BIVENTRICULAR DEFIBRILLATOR

CENTRO NACIONAL DE OFTALMOLOGIA (CENAO), MANAGUA

FRANCISCA RIVAS, MD.  DIRECTOR

RETINA SURGERY

RICHARD FEIST, RETINOLOGIST,  ALABAMA
 Information provided by Dr. Feist

CLAUDIA AYALA, COA, ALABAMA

WILLIAM GOGGANS, OPHTHALMIC TECHNICIAN, ALABAMA

JACK FEIST, ALABAMA

PROCEDURES PERFORMED

 14    VITRECTOMIES
ALL WERE DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH DOCTORS TEACHING AND TRAINING AT (CENAO)

MEDICATION DONATED BY ALCON  

150 DOSES OF AVASTIN USED TO TREAT NUMEROUS RETINAL BLOOD VESSEL DISORDERS

25 DOSES OF SILICONE OIL

OVER 25 DOSES OF “HEAVY LIQUID” TO REPAIR COMPLEX RETINAL DETACHMENTS.

25 VITRECTOMY PACKS  THAT CAN BE USED  FOR SEVERAL SURGERIES

HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON- NICARAGUA, GRANADA, NICARAGUA

YELBA LOGO,  MD:      DIRECTOR

JOSE SANTOS MEZA, MD:    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

OPHTHALMOLOGY

MICHAEL ALSTON CALLAHAN, MD,  ALABAMA
  Information provided by Dr. Callahan

SUPPLIES DONATED BY ALLERGAN, ALCON, MAP INTERNATIONAL CYNACON-OCUSOFT 

JOHN PARKER, MD. ALABAMA

   MARK DRABKIN, MD. CALIFORNIA

   JOHANNA RAMIREZ,  MD  GRANADA
 
  LEANDRO CHAMORRO, MD. MANAGUA

ANESTHESIA:

JERALD CLANTON, MD, ALABAMA

 

JOE STOWELL, CRNA,  NORTH CAROLINA 

BIOMETRY

LYNN GUZMAN, KEITH HODGE, SCOTT CHRAMER(Videographer) ALABAMA

TRANSLATORS:  

ANA MUNOZ ,  CALIFORNIA

 

LAURA CANTERA, NEW YORK

VOLUNTEERS

BONNIE PARKER, ALLISON PARKER, ALABAMA

KELLY MILLS , NORTH CAROLINA

APPROXIMATELY 250 PATIENTS WERE SEEN IN OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC

59 SURGERIES

 

42 CATARACTS, 5 CORNEAL TRANSPLANTS, 9 STRABISMUS, 1 PTOSIS,

 

1 CANCER OF THE EYE, 1 HYPHEMA (TRAUMATIC BLEEDING IN THE EYE)

 

OPTOMETRY

 

PATTI FUHR,  OD, PH.D, ALABAMA

Dr. Fuhr provided information

 

JEROME D. POTTS, OPTICIAN (RETIRED) FLORIDA

 

GREGORY L. KANE,  OD  FLORIDA

 

ABIDIN YILDIRIM, PH.D  ALABAMA

    SATURDAY OPTOMETRY SCREENED PATIENTS FOR OPHTHALMOLOGISTS.

700 PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED AND 660 PAIRS OF GLASSES WERE DISPENSED.

30 SPECIAL PRESCRIPTIONS WERE PRESCRIBED.

 

ProVision, VOSH INTERNATIONAL CLINIC IN MANAGUA, HELPED WITH ARRANGEMENTS , PROVIDED GLASSES AND MADE SPECIAL PRESCRIPTIONS. 

GASTROENTEROLOGY

W. ROGER CARLISLE, M.D. F.A.C.P.,   ALABAMA

Information provided by Dr. Carlisle 

 

ROSSENBERG DUARTE, MD  GRANADA

GUILLERMO GOMEZ, MD. GRANADA

ESTHER ARGUELLO, MD  GRANADA

I spent much time training Roberto Balladares on new and basic techniques of upper GI endoscopy.  I collaborated with the doctors and felt that most of my beneficial efforts involved current and ongoing medical education. 

 

PROCEDURES PERFORMED

29 UPPER GI ENDOSCOPIES

1        COLONOSCOPIES AND POLYPECTOMY

 2 FULL COLONOSCOPIES

1 BANDING VARICEAL BLEEDER

1 VARICEAL BLEEDER

WE DID 8 COLLABORATIONS WITH ENT DOCTORS

PATIENTS REFERRED FROM ALABAMA GRANADA CLINIC WERE EXAMINED, ALTHOUGH THEY HAD LITTLE SIGNIFICANT PATHOLOGY, THEY DID HAVE SEVERE SERIOUS ONGOING SYMPTOMS.  I FELT THE VERY GOOD AND CAREFUL EVALUATION GAVE PATIENTS BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR SYMPTOMS AND HOW TO CARE FOR THEIR DISEASE IN THE FUTURE.  GIVING THE PATIENTS CLEAR INFORMATION AND REASSURANCE SEEMED TO MAKE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFERENCE IN MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING. 

LACK OF SPACE FOR RECOVERY AND LIMITED ANESTHESIA CAUSED BY LIMITED OXYGEN SUPPLY CONTRIBUTED TO PATIENT DISCOMFORT.

ONE COLONOSCOPE AND TWO ENDOSCOPES WERE BROKEN.  I USED THE ENDOSCOPE THAT I BROUGHT FROM THE STATES. 

BACK UP LIGHTING WAS DISCUSSED AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO RETRIEVE THE 2 ENDOSCOPES AND COLONOSCOPES FOR REPAIR IN THE UNITED STATES.

 I BELIEVE ONGOING EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO BE A VITAL PART OF HEALTH CARE IN NICARAGUA

GYNECOLOGY CLINIC  

SIREESHA Y. REDDY,  MD, NEW YORK

DIANE MARIE KOBER,  RN, BSN,  NEW YORK

TRANSLATORS

ADELA LACAYO, GRANADA

 

LUCIA LACAYO, GRANADA

PEDIATRIC CLINIC

LaVerne Ramsey supplied information 

BONNIE MATTHEWS,  MD. MASSACHUSETTS

BRYANT BENSON,  MD.MASSACHUSETTS

SUSANNE GOKEY,  RN, MASSACHUSETTS

 LAVERNE RAMSEY, ALABAMA

MELISSA PARKER, ALABAMA

REBECCA PARKER, ALABAMA

VOLUNTEER TRANSLATORS FROM GRANADA

THELMA CHAMORRA

MELISSA CHAMORRA

ADELA LACAYO

Drs. Matthews, Benson and RN, Susanne Gokey

were in the Pediatric Clinic daily,  examining and prescribing for 335 children.

 

MARY EILEEN McCORMICK, DO., F.A.A.P.  MICHIGAN

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGIST, supplied information

Dr. McCormick reported evaluating  approximately 75 pediatric patients.  She performed 2 pediatric neurological consults, one in Granada, one in Hospital La Mascota in Managua.  She taught her interpreter, Melissa Chamorra, during the daytime and was able to review cerebral palsy, seizures, autism, cognitive impairment and neurofibromatosis, and tuberous sclerosis.  She is following up on a child on whom she consulted with the parents  via email after reviewing brain MRI. Some discussion was held with Dr. Gerardo Mejia, the La Mascota director, of possible help with materials as well as training Pedicatric Neurology Residents.

DENTAL CLINIC

  Iradj Sooudi, DMD, ALABAMA
SUPPLIED INFORMATION

Although I spent quite a bit of my time at the hospital dental clinic to repair broken and nonfunctional dental equipment, with the help of our engineers, we were able to provide dental service to the people of Granada.

I was assisted by 2 local staff dentists and the interpreter, Dr. Carla Chavez, whose presence made a major difference in our service to our patients.

Three dental students observed our services.

Eighty three patients were seen.

Fifty three were females. 

six consults.

39 oral prophylaxes,

38 extractions,

11 fillings involving 19 surfaces,

 1 dental impression,

1 TMJ disorder consult and

3 misc.

Unfortunately lack of or breakdown of the instruments and equipment hampered our effort to be efficient.

ALABAMA GRANADA CLINIC

CECILIA BURGOS      DIRECTOR

OLIVIA SANCHEZ     RECEPTIONIST

GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ

NICARAGUAN DOCTORS

DR. RENE CASTILLO

DR. SCARLETTE HERNANDEZ (began working in clinic after brigada left)

INTERPRETER VOLUNTEERS

EMMANUEL ENRIQUE OSORIO SEDILES (MANAGUA)

JANET DE SANDINO  (GRANADA)

EURIDICE BERMUDEZ  (COSTA RICA)

LUIS HORACIO MONGALO ORTIZ (GRANADA)

THELMA MARIA GOMEZ (GRANADA) PROCESSED FORMS

 WED. THROUGH FRI.

 

UNITED STATES MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS

DR. NICK LOON, ENDOCRINOLOGIST/NEPHROLOGIST, SOUTH CAROLINA

DR. WEILLY SOONG, ALLERGIST, ALABAMA

DR. JON VACIK, EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR, MASSACHUSETS

JUDY LOON, CRNP, SOUTH CAROLINA

JANET REEVES, CRNP, SOUTH CAROLINA

LOWELL SMITH, RN  (NORTH CAROLINA) INTERPRETER

ABBOTT WILLIAMS, ALABAMA

CHERYL WILLIAMS, ALABAMA

CYNTHIA HODGES, ALABAMA

LORI FEIST, RN, ALABAMA

LAURI SOONG, ALABAMA

FRANCES OWENS, ALABAMA

 

A TOTAL OF 393 PATIENTS WERE TREATED AND MEDS PRESCRIBED.

 191 DIABETICS WERE EXAMINED BY DR. NICK LOON, JUDY LOON, AND

JANET REEVES.   

DR. LOON, WITH LOWELL SMITH AS INTERPRETER, CONTINUED TO TEACH

DR. CASTILLO TO EXAMINE AND PRESCRIBE FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS . 

4 DIABETIC PATIENTS RETURNED FOR RECHECK

202 NONDIABETICS WERE EXAMINED AND GIVEN THEIR MEDS.

AS A RESULT OF DISCUSSION OF U.S. VOLUNTEERS, INVENTORY OF MEDS IN THE PHARMACY WERE TAKEN.  OUT OF DATE MEDS WERE REMOVED FROM THE PHARMACY.

A PHARMACY COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED.

TRIAGE EXAMINATION SHEETS WERE UPDATED.

SHELVES IN EXAMINATION ROOM WERE CLEANED AND EXCESS SUPPLIES THAT HAD ACCUMULATED WERE REMOVED AND SHARED WITH HOSPITAL IN GRANADA AND A SMALL HEALTH OUTPOST IN NORTHERN NICARAGUA.

 KEITH HODGE REPAIRED EQUIPMENT IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE HOSPITAL IN GRANADA

 LARRY CLANTON, ELECTRICIAN (GEORGIA)

REVENTED AND CLEANED LINT TRAP IN  CLOTHES DRYER IN CLINIC.  FOR NIC HEALTH PURCHASED AND LARRY REPLACED CEILING FAN IN WAITING ROOM OF ALABAMA GRANADA CLINICA.

IN 2009 AT LA PROVIDENCIA, THE OLD FOLKS HOME, LARRY HAD PURCHASED, WITH HIS CONTRIBUTION AND THOSE OF SEVERAL  U.S. CONTRIBUTORS, A 110 DRYER TO BE USED IN THE RAINY SEASON UNTIL A 220 OUTLET COULD BE INSTALLED BY A LOCAL ELECTRICIAN FOR THE 220 DRYER.

IN 2010 LARRY DOUBLE CHECKED THE POWER SUPPLY TO ASSURE THAT THE 220 DRYER WORKED.

OUR GRATITUDE:
AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL VOLUNTEERS

FROM: ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, NEW YORK AND NICARAGUA.

WITHOUT YOU, OUR MISSION WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

YOU BRING YOUR SKILLS, PAY YOUR OWN EXPENSES AND WORK IN SOMETIMES, FRUSTRATING SITUATIONS TO HELP THE POOR IN NICARAGUA.

TO ABBOTT WILLIAMS  and  CHERYL WILLIAMS, WHO WORK WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF OUR TRIP TO MAKE OUR

 “MISSION POSSIBLE”. 

 SPECIAL THANKS ALSO TO ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS, FOR YOUR DONATIONS

YOUR DONATIONS HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR ANNUAL TRIPS TO BRING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR OF NICARAGUA.  YOU HAVE GIVEN US THE MEANS TO ACQUIRE, RESTORE AND EQUIP THE ALABAMA-GRANADA CLINIC WHERE TWO NICARAGUAN DOCTORS, RENE CASTILLO, MD AND SCARLETTE HERNANDEZ, MD,SEE PATIENTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

TO  MEDTRONIC FOR THE DONATION OF 12 PACEMAKERS AND ACCESSORIES.

TO BOSTON SCIENTIFIC

BIOSENSE

SAINT JUDE

FOR CARDIAC SUPPLIES 

TO ALCON LABORATORIES WHO KINDLY DONATED INTRAOCULAR LENSES, AND ACCOMPANYING SUPPLIES.    ALCON HAS AIDED OUR EFFORTS FOR 11 YEARS.

EQUIPMENT WAS ALSO SUPPLIED BY

ALLERGAN

MAP INTERNATIONAL

CYNACON-OCUSOFT 

TO BROOKWOOD MEDICAL CENTER AND CALLAHAN EYE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL FOR YOUR PRESENT AND PAST SUPPORT.

 TO ALABAMA EYE BANK FOR DONATION OF  CORNEAS.

 TO NATIONAL CENTER OF OPHTHALMOLOGY (CENAO) DIRECTOR DR. FRANCISCA RIVAS AND

DR. ABRAHAM DELGADO

TO NATIONAL CENTER OF CARDIOLOGY,

DIRECTOR, DR. NELSON SALAZAR

 TO HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON-NICARAGUA

YELBA LOGO,  MD:      DIRECTOR

JOSE SANTOS MEZA, MD:    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

 TO MILITARY HOSPITAL

DIRECTOR, DR RENE DARCE

DR HUGO ARGUELLOS,  DEPUTY DIRECTOR

CERTAINLY OUR THANKS ALWAYS TO:

SRA, FÁTIMA LACAYO de SÁENZ AND HER HUSBAND JAIME SAENZ.  HE IS ALWAYS CHECKING ON THE WELFARE OF THE CLINIC,

TO CECILIA BURGOS, OUR MANAGER,

GUSTAVO  GUITIERREZ

OLIVIA SANCHEZ     OUR RECEPTIONIST

WHO KEEP THE CLINIC FUNCTIONING ALL DURING THE YEAR.

THANKS TO THE NICARAGUAN VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY DURING THE YEAR WHEN WE ARE NOT PRESENT.



 _________________


 FEBRUARY 15 THROUGH FEBRUARY 23, 2008
CENTRO NACIONAL DE OFTALMOLOGIA (CENAO), MANAGUA, NICARAGUA

OPHTHALMOLOGY

USE OF VITRECTOMY MACHINE AND SUPPLIES WERE DONATED BY

ALCON MEDICAL MISSION PROGRAM

RICHARD MINTON FEIST, MD

            TAREK O.  PERSAUD, MD

FRANCISCA RIVAS, MD

ABRAHAM DELGADO, MD

Drs. Feist and Persaud screened 70 patients.  They performed 21 vitrectomies and had use of fifty (50) doses of Avastin. 

CENTRO NACIONAL DE CARDIOLOGI,  MANAGUA

NELSON SALAZAR, MD.  DIRECTOR

ILANA KUTINSKY, MD

DAVID PARR, TECHNOLGIST

20 PACEMAKERS WERE DONATED BY ST. JUDE

TWENTY TWO SURGERIES WERE PERFORMED.

All twenty pacemakers were placed in indigent patients.  We also did 1 ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) and one pacemaker/lead revision.

I discovered several children who needed rhythm restored.  We began a project called Restore the Rhythm  (Salvando Corazones) Saving Hearts.  We have gotten preliminary OK from Beaumont Hospital in  Michigan to proceed with Restore the Rhythm.  Beaumont wants to support bringing the kids to Michigan for the procedures, as well as, establishing a lab in Nicaragua for future use. 

HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON- NICARAGUA, GRANADA, NICARAGUA

JUAN BARRIOS, MD, DIRECTOR  and YELBA BROWN, MD,  DEPUTY DIRECTOR

OPHTHALMOLOGY 

MICHAEL ALSTON CALLAHAN, MD.  JOHN STEVEN PARKER, MD.  AND

MARK DRABKIN, MD.

ANESTHESIA

JERALD CLANTON, MD, JAMES RUDULPH, MD, JOE STOWELL, CRNA

BIOMETRY

LYNN GUZMAN,  KEITH HODGE

TRANSLATOR KOULA CALLAHAN

VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING:  JACK PARKER,  BONNIE PARKER

5 CORNEAL TRANSPLANTS, 6 STRABISMUS, 38 CATARACTS, 11 YAG LASERS ,

1 DCR, AND 1 PTOSIS.

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT WERE DONATED BY

ALCON MEDICAL MISSION PROGRAM

We arrived in Granada on Friday, February 15, 2008, and began clinic early Saturday morning.  We were able to set clinic up and process approximately 74 patients. In so doing, virtually filled the operating schedule for the entire week.  Mr. Jack Parker and Rosita helped manage the patients while Koula Callahan translated.  Dr. Mark Drabkin’s bilingualism was and always is crucial to the success of the mission.  Saturday morning clinic presented an unusual number of complex pediatric strabismus disorders, quite time consuming.  We also received quite a number of consultations of patients with cataracts and other disorders from Nicaraguan ophthalmologist.  As always, there was nearly a 100% pathology rate in terms of the number of patients examined versus the number of patients scheduled for surgery.  A few patients had undergone previously unsuccessful cataract procedures elsewhere, or had terminal absolute glaucoma, for which we had nothing to recommend as they were inoperably blind. The patients receive our prayers.

Saturday morning  Drs. Vargas and Drabkin designed an orderly numbers system to screen the patients systematically. Drs. Parker and Callahan examined them and scheduled the surgery.  Mr. Keith Hodge and Ms. Lynn Guzman were unable to perform biometry on Saturday because the clinic was so busy. They prepared to do this on Monday morning.

Clinic began at 8:00 AM and began to wind down about 4:00 PM.  Monday we had one operating room.  The rest of the week we had two OR’s.

We had no surgical complications the entire week due to the good anesthesia work of Dr. James Rudolph and Dr. Jerry Clanton with Joe Stowell, CRNA helping to organize surgical supplies and keep the line moving, a major help. 

Dr. Johanna Ramirez, the new, young ophthalmologist who trained in Leon, is also a new mother.  She is now our contact person.  Although she is not bilingual, she will be able to follow up on our post-operative patients.  We hope her youthful love of ophthalmology, will enable her to take a more active role in our mission and benefit from the teaching that we do as well.  She will need our support to “get up to speed” for our annual medical mission.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

TIMOTHY DENTON, MD

GUILLERMO GOMEZ, MD 

BECKY COOK, RN

We scoped or helped to scope 35 patients - the majority of those were upper endoscopy - with significant finds of chronic gastritis. This became a big draw for the staff as well as the patients.  Many had never seen first-hand what the physician was seeing.  We believe a clearer understanding was achieved. The techs in the room were very receptive once they understood that the equipment would now be theirs, very durable equipment but fragile with mismanagement -   Great emphasis was placed on handling, cleaning and disinfection with each procedure. Initially they felt it would slow them down but the Dr's became patient and the desired outcome worked out well for all the physicians.  Dr. Denton bonded with ease when they were able to place their training in actual visual finds with hard copy pictures if desired.
 
Volunteers, pitched in to work on equipment that was out of order.  With skilled hands, these now work.  Other volunteers aided in cleaning the area.  We believe this has given the other staff the courage and pride to keep it clean or at least cleaner
 
Three  scopes were identified in poor condition and brought back for evaluation and hopefully repair.  These will be returned to the hospital in Granada ASAP. These scopes
at the moment are at IMS under the umbrella of Scopes of Mercy.  Two other scopes for Upper endoscopy are in process of donation for them
 
The  physicians discussed wants and identified needs.  Dr. Denton is currently in the process of trying to make these needs a reality.

Dr. Denton spent time with the Hospital Administrator discussing his belief that the level of care had jumped 25 years with the arrival of the new equipment. Dr. Denton will work to help Granada have perhaps the best Endoscopy Unit in the country including Managua.
 
Dr. Denton extended an invitation to Dr. Gomez to come to Birmingham, as his guest, to observe the practice of GI medicine and help identify what would be of use in his area.

SOME EQUIPMENT REQUESTED -
Varic Banding
Endoscopic Atlas in Spanish
Guide wire Dilators
ESU with ground pads and appropriate active cords
TRI forceps

EQUIPMENT DONATED FOR GASTROENTEROLOGY
Video Monitor with manual
Scope Video Processor with manual
Scope Light Source with manual and extra Xenon lamp
Color Printer with manual and 4 packs of film and 8 packs of print paper
Manual Leak Tester
Portable Suction X2 with tubing and canisters
Power strip for electrical
Bite Blocks for Upper Procedures
Water Bottles
Adapters for water bottles
Air Water buttons for scope – 4Suction Buttons for scope - 4
Biopsy Port covers - 4
Irrigation syringes
Accustat Monitor for SaO2 and HR - finger probe x4
Biopsy
Snare
TTS Balloons various sizes
Inflator equipment
PEG replacement tubes - multiple sizes
Injector Needles and Ink
tourniquets
 Medical tape - Micropore and paper Alcohol Preps
 4X4 4 packages
Specimen traps
 Safety goggles X8
 KY - 6 tubes
 Procedure mask
 Procedure aprons
 Hand sanitizer - 3 cases
 2 different types of Colon preps - 6 each IV start kits
 scissors
 stethoscope x1
 #22 jelco intravenous catheters - 1 box #42 jelco intravenous catheters - 1 box
 IV fluids X4 with tubing
Medications for sedation
 Miles of connecting cable
 Penlights
 Cleaning instruction
Cleaning adapters
 Scope cleaning brushes and enymatic cleaners
 Flora Q
 Cephalexin
Clarithsomycin
 Prevacid
  1 gastroscope, 1 colonoscope
3cc syringe with needles
1cc TB syringe with needles


ORTHOPEDICS

MIKE BRAGER, MD.

JUAN BARBERENA, MD

Dr.  Brager reports 8 surgical procedures and multiple patients seen:

3 hip fractures, 2 tibia fracture non-unions, 1 elbow fracture, 1 ankle fracture-gunshot wound,  1 knee arthroscopy.  He saw multiple patients with various orthopaedic problems in clinic on Friday, since his specialty is Sports medicine. 

OBSTETRICS/ GYNECOLOGY

DANIELLE PATTERSON, MD

YELKA MARTINEZ, MD, MARBELY RODRIGUEZ, MD,

CARLOS ERNESTO QUIJANO, MD

TRANSLATOR: NILSA OCASIO, RN

Dr. Patterson reported treating 55 patients in Ob/Gyn Clinic.  On Friday she assisted the local doctors with 4 sterilizations and one Caesarian section. Dr. Patterson left OR supplies including sutures, bovies, suction tubing and various other helpful items. 

PEDIATRICS

BONNIE MATTHEWS, MD. 

  BRYANT E. BENSON, MD.

VOLUNTEERS: LAVERNE RAMSEY, JOY FERRELL, WILLIAM DEXHEIMER

ALLISON, MELISSA AND REBECCA PARKER

TRANSLATORS:  ADELA LACAYO AND THELMA LACAYO

Two hundred-fifty three pediatric patients were seen and treated.  Meds were prescribed and  toys were given.

With the help of Keith Hodge, we were able to repair a ventilator in the NICU.  Instead of one, they now have two.  We also provided a pulse oximiter, and several glucometers to the unit (they previously had none ). 

DENTAL CLINIC

Erica Barba, DDS.  Iradj Sooudi, DMD.

Myyoska Payan G. DMD. from Managua

assisted by Dr. Ivania Mendez Bermudez, Granada

Dental assistant Delmis Murillo Acevedo, Granada 

 

106 patients were examined

66 females

40 males


SERVICE PROVIDED BY DENTISTS:

  •         9 extractions and surgical procedures

  •         28 patients received fillings.

  •         20 patients received oral pro prophylaxis.

  •         09 patients visited us for dental consultations.

  •         We performed multiple extractions as well as multiple teeth restorations.

 

ALABAMA GRANADA CLINIC

NICHOLAS LOON, MD. NEPHROLOGIST/ENDOCRINOLOGIST TRANSLATOR: LOWELL SMITH, RN

CLINIC DOCTOR, RENE CASTILLO,   MD

WEILY SOONG, MD. ALLERGIST

VOLUNTEERS TRANSLATING:  JANET SANDINO

 CECILIA BURGOS and REESE FEIST

JON VACIK, MD. EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

VOLUNTEER TRANSLATING: MYRNA HORN

CLINIC DOCTOR  CESAR SEQUEIRA, MD

VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING:  ABBOTT WILLIAMS, CHERYL WILLIAMS, LORI FEIST, RN., LAURI SOONG, JANE FEIST, JACK FEIST, BARRATT RUDULPH, BONNIE PARKER

439 patients were examined and appropriate treatment administered. 

Of  439:  96 were diabetic patients. Fourteen were new to our clinic where we already have over 350 registered diabetics.

Dr. Nick Loon works with the diabetic patients, his specialty.  He closely examines and, in his teaching mode, shares his knowledge and techniques of treating  diabetes with Dr. Castillo, one of our Alabama Granada Clinica doctors. 

Missing this year was Judy Loon, RN who is advancing her career in study at home.  We missed her work preparing and triaging patients with diabetes.  She has also conducted classes instructing diabetic patients in nutrition and proper technique of administering their insulin.

Besides seeing and treating patients, one of our goals is to share knowledge of new technology with the Nicaraguan doctors.  Drs. Vacik and Soong have also taught through the years.  As an allergist, patients exhibiting these symptoms are referred to Dr. Soong.  As an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Vacik treats a variety of  ailments.  He says he has seen extreme cases in Nicaragua that he has never seen in the ER at the hospital where he works in the US. 

As previously stated part of our mission brings medical education to our counterparts in Nicaragua.  Medical lectures this year were given by Dr. Ilana Kutinsky UPDATE IN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY AND SUDDEN DEATH .  UPDATE IN DIABETES  by Dr. Nick Loon both lectures were moderated and translated by Dr. Rodolfo Vargas  at  HOSPITAL METROPOLITANO "VIVIAN PELLAS, Managua, Nicaragua.


OUR GRATITUDE:
AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL USA VOLUNTEERS

FROM: ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, MASSACHUSETTS, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, MICHIGAN, AND NEW JERSEY.  TO EACH OF YOU: WITHOUT YOU, OUR MISSION WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

YOU BRING YOUR SKILLS, PAY YOUR OWN EXPENSES AND WORK IN SOMETIMES, FRUSTRATING SITUATIONS TO HELP THE POOR IN NICARAGUA.

TO ABBOTT WILLIAMS, CHERYL WILLIAMS, PEGGY OTTO AND LORI FEIST WHO WORK WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF OUR TRIP TO MAKE OUR

 “MISSION POSSIBLE”. 

 SPECIAL THANKS ALSO TO ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS, FOR YOUR DONATIONS

YOUR DONATIONS HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR ANNUAL TRIPS TO BRING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR OF NICARAGUA.  YOU HAVE GIVEN US THE MEANS TO ACQUIRE, RESTORE AND EQUIP THE ALABAMAGRANADA CLINIC WHERE TWO NICARAGUAN DOCTORS, CESAR SEQUEIRA AND RENE CASTILLO, SEE PATIENTS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.  WE SUPPLY 400 DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH INSULIN AND ORAL MEDICATION AFTER HAVING THEIR GLUCOSE AND HGB A 1C TEST. 

TO  ST. JUDE FOR THE DONATION OF 20 PACEMAKERS AND ACCESSORIES AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THEIR TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE DAVID PARR WHO CAME TO ASSIST. 

TO ALCON LABORATORIES WHO KINDLY DONATED INTRAOCULAR LENSES, GOWN PACKS AND ACCOMPANYING SUPPLIES.  THEY ALSO LOANED A VITRECTOMY MACHINE.  ALCON HAS SUPPORTED US FOR 9 YEARS. 

TO MAP INTERNATIONAL FOR MUCH NEEDED MEDICINES AND SUPPLIES.  

TO BROOKWOOD MEDICAL CENTER AND CALLAHAN EYE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL FOR YOUR PRESENT AND PAST SUPPORT. 

TO ALABAMA EYE BANK FOR DONATION OF 7 CORNEAS.  

TO NATIONAL CENTER OF OPHTHALMOLOGY (CENAO) DIRECTOR DR. FRANCISCA RIVAS AND DR. ABRAHAM DELGADO 

TO NATIONAL CENTER OF CARDIOLOGY, DIRECTOR, DR. NELSON SALAZAR 

TO HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON-NICARAGUA  DIRECTOR, DR. JUAN BARRIOS AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DR. YELBA BROWN 

CERTAINLY OUR THANKS ALWAYS TO:

SRA, FÁTIMA LACAYO de SÁENZ, our COORDINATOR,  CECILIA BURGOS, OUR MANAGER, GUSTAVO  GUITIERREZ AND MARIA ANTONIO LACAYO WHO KEEP THE CLINIC FUNCTIONING ALL DURING THE YEAR.

THANKS TO THE NICARAGUAN VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY DURING THE YEAR WHEN WE ARE NOT PRESENT.

_________________

(2006)   BECAUSE   NICARAGUAN DOCTORS WERE ON STRIKE, ALL OPHTHALMOLOGY SCREENINGS WERE DONE AT DR. TERESA BALDIZON’S OFFICE IN GRANADA. SHE GRACIOUSLY FACILITATED HER OFFICE AND EQUIPMENT.

ALL OPHTHALMOLOGY SURGERIES WERE DONE AT THE NATIONAL CENTER OF PHTHALMOLOGY IN MANAGUA, NICARAGUA.
Official Reports from the Center

DR. RICHARD FEIST

28 VITRECTOMIES
DR. PETER NIXON 12 VITRECTOMIES
DR. MICHAEL CALLAHAN 14 CATARACTS
DR. MARK DRABKIN 25 CATARACTS
TOTAL SURGERIES 79

ALL CARDIOLOGY WAS DONE AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CARDIOLOGY IN MANAGUA, NICARAGUA.

DR. ILANA KUTINSKY

7 PACEMAKERS

1 IMPLANTABLE  DEFIBRILLATOR

1 BIVENTRICULAR PACEMAKER
1 REMOVAL OF VERY INFECTED DEVICE

TOTAL SURGERIES 10

12 PACEMAKERS WERE LEFT WITH PACEMAKER (BANK) FOUNDATION OF FOR NICARAGUAN HEALTH.  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CARDIOLOGY SCREENS INDIGENT PATIENTS AND EKG REPORTS ARE   SENT TO DR. KUTINSKY AND DR. VARGAS FOR RECOMMENDATION.

THE POOR DO NOT PAY. THE CARDIAC SURGEON COMES TO SELECT THE PROPER IMPLANT.  FOR NICARAGUAN HEALTH   KEEPS A FILE OF THE PACEMAKERS THAT ARE IMPLANTED WITH A PICTURE OF THE PATIENT.  A SIGNED RECEIPT INDICATING THE PATIENT WILL RECEIVE THE PACEMAKER   FREE OF CHARGE IS OBTAINED BEFORE THE PACEMAKER IS PROVIDED.

ALL ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY WAS DONE AT THE MILITARY HOSPITAL IN MANAGUA.

DR. MICHAEL BRAGER

2 ACL RECONSTRUCTIONS

1 KNEE SCOPE

1 FEMURFRACTURE 
1 CONGENITAL TRIGGER FINGER

TOTAL SURGERIES 5 

(1)   ONE HYSTERECTOMY WAS DONE BY DR. JOHN WIDEMAN AT THE MILITARY HOSPITAL IN MANAGUA.  

 ANESTHESIOLOGISTS:
DR. JERALD CLANTON
DR. HUBERT RODRIGUEZ
JOE STOWELL, CRNA

ASSISTED IN ANESTHESIA AND BROUGHT LARGE QUANTITIES OF ANESTHESIA AND SURGICAL SUPPLIES.  

OBSTETRIC/GYNECOLOGY CLINIC WAS RELOCATED FROM GRANADA HOSPITAL TO CENTRO de SALUD “SINFOROSO BRAVO” IN GRANADA

 120    PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED AND TREATED

DR. JOHN WIDEMAN
DR.  DANIELLE PATTERSON
DR. GILDER WIDEMAN

PEDIATRIC CLINIC WAS ALSO RELOCATED TO CENTRO de SALUD

 294    CHILDREN WERE EXAMINED AND TREATED

DR. HERNAN MORENO
DR. BONNIE MATTHEWS

GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC WAS LOCATED AT ALABAMA GRANADA CLINICA.

 364    PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED AND TREATED  OF THIS NUMBER 199 WERE NEW TO OUR CLINIC

DR. JON VACIK  (PERFORMED 1 PARACENTHESIS)
DR. MIRIAM CHUNG
DR. ELQUIS CASTILLO
DR.  MAGALI CASTILLO (OUR LOCAL DOCTOR)
FOR THIS TRIP WE HAD DR. NICK LOON AND HIS WIFE JUDY LOON, RN. UNFORTUNATELY AN EMERGENCY AROSE AND THEY RETURNED TO USA.

EYE SCANS WERE DONE AT DR TERESA BALDIZON’S OFFICE BY:
LYNN GUZMAN
SCOTT CHRAMER
LARRY OTTO

OUR GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS WORKED FLEXIBLY WHERE EVER THEY WERE NEEDED, SOMETIMES AT ONE CLINIC AND THEN AT ANOTHER AS THE WORK REQUIRED:

BROCK COCHRAN, Translator
BLANCA MORENO, Pediatric assistant and Translator
LA VERNE RAMSEY
CAROLINE G. SATTERFIELD
LOWELL SMITH, RN,   Translator
MICHAEL POKORSKI, Guidant representative
JUSTIN QUIGLEY
FRANCES OWENS
CHERYL WILLIAMS
ABBOTT WILLIAMS
PEGGY OTTO (Clinic Director)
LORI FEIST, RN.

 CLINIC LEADERS:

MEDICINE:  DR. JON VACIK
PEDIATRICS:  DR. HERNAN MORENO
OB/GYN:  DR. JOHN WIDEMAN
OPHTHALMOLOGY:  DRS. MICHAEL CALLAHAN AND RICHARD FEIST
CARDIOLOGY:  DR. ILANA KUTINSKY
ORTHOPEDICS:  DR. MICHAEL BRAGER.  

IN SUMMARY 95 SURGICAL PROCEDURES WERE DONE AND 863 PATIENTS WERE EXAMINED AT THE CLINICS DURING OUR MISSION WORK IN NICARAGUA.

 OUR GRATITUDE TO:

ALCON LABORATORIES WHO KINDLY DONATED 40 INTRAOCULAR LENSES, 40 VITRECTOMY PACKS AND BUCKLES, ALL SUTURES AND OTHER SURGICAL MATERIAL NEEDED FOR THESE SURGERIES, ALCON HAS SUPPORTED OUR MISSION WORK FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

TO ALLERGAN LABORATORIES FOR THE DONATION OF 100 POST-OPERATIVES HOME CARE PACKS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

TO   GUIDANT, Inc.  FOR THE DONATION OF 20 PACEMAKERS AND ACCESSORIES AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THEIR TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL POKORSKI

TO   PHILLIPS MEDICAL SYSTEMS FOR ONE NEW EKG MACHINE AND CART

TO INTEGRATED MEDICAL SYSTEMS   FOR THE DONATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY TO BE DONATED TO THE WOMEN’S HOSPITAL “BERTA CALDERON” IN MANAGUA.

TO IMS FOR THE DONATION OF THREE GASTROSCOPES AND THREE COLONOSCOPES TO BE DONATED TO TEACHING HOSPITALS CARING FOR THE INDIGENT POPULATION

TO BROOKWOOD MEDICAL CENTER, CALLAHAN EYE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL AND HEALTHSOUTH MEDICAL CENTER, ALL OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA FOR THEIR PRESENT AND PAST SUPPORT.

OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS, FOR   YOUR   DONATIONS.  YOU HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR ANNUAL TRIPS TO BRING RELIEF TO THE PAIN OF THE POOR OF NICARAGUA.  YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE GIVEN US THE MEANS TO ACQUIRE, RESTORE, AND EQUIP THE ALABAMA GRANADA CLINIC WHERE WE NOW SEE SIXTY PATIENTS DAILY.  WE GIVE THEIR MEDICINES FREE.  ON FRIDAYS PATIENTS ARE GIVEN VISUAL EXAMS AND EYE GLASSES, WE ALSO HAVE 350 REGISTERED PATIENTS WITH DIABETES WHO ARE SEEN MONTHLY, HAVE THEIR GLUCOSE AND HGB A 1C TEST, THEY ALSO RECEIVE THEIR INSULINS AND ORAL TREATMENTS.

AGAIN   OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS.   IN ADDITION TO LEAVING THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES, THEIR JOBS, THEIR FAMILIES,   (SOME VOLUNTEERS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR SPOUSES AND/OR CHILDREN), THEY PAY ALL THEIR EXPENSES.

THIS YEAR WE HAD VOLUNTEERS  FROM EIGHT  STATES: ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, OHIO, MICHIGAN AND  NEW YORK. WITHOUT THEIR GENEROUS HEARTS OUR MISSION IN NICARAGUA WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR THANKS TO Sra. Fátima Lacayo de Sáenze AND THE NICARAGUAN VOLUNTEERS.

WE WILL BE IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING APPLICATIONS WHEN THE DATES ARE CONFIRMED FOR 2007.  WE TENTATIVELY SET FEBRUARY 16 TO THE 25 OF 2007. TO MAKE IT MANAGEABLE WE WILL KEEP THE NUMBER AT NO MORE THAN FORTY, AS SOON AS THE DATES ARE CONFIRMED APPLICATIONS WILL BE E-MAILED.

___________________

 (2005) The Alabama Medical team returned to Granada, Nicaragua
February 11 to February 20, 2005, for the 6th annual medical mission.

A total of 1821 (+678=2499) patients were seen and a total of 71 surgeries performed. Work was at three places: The Alabama-Granada Clinica, Hospital Amistad Japon-Nicaragua in Granada and the National Center of Ophthalmology in Managua.

We are exceedingly happy and proud that our clinic, Alabama-Granada Clinica, celebrated its first anniversary on March 16, 2005. At the clinic we have a permanent doctor and a group of volunteers who are headed by our tireless clinic administrator/director, Fatima Lacayo de Saenz.

At our clinic we are seeing up to 50 patients daily from Monday through Friday. All patients receive their medicines free of charge. They make a contribution if able. We now have 350 registered patients with diabetes who receive their oral agents or insulin. We are also seeing the gamut of general medicine, chronic diseases and many pediatric cases. Records on patients are carefully kept.

We have equipped the clinic with modern instruments: a new EKG machine, monitor and defibrillator and a YAG laser machine for treatment of eye problems. We are looking for an ophthalmology chair with a slit lamp so our ophthalmologists can see patients at our clinic.

ANESTHESIOLOGY
Hubert Rodriguez, MD, Birmingham, AL
CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETISTS
Celeste Neeley, CRNA, Birmingham, AL
Brooke Reeves, CRNA, Birmingham, AL
Joe Stowell, CRNA, Newton, NC

ENDOCRINOLOGY
Nick Loon, MD, Hilton Head, SC (Nephrology)
Rodolfo Vargas, MD, Birmingham, AL

INTERNAL MEDICINE
Weily Soong, MD, New Haven, CT, Director
Stephen Oehlers, MD, Springfield, OH
Jon Vacik, MD, New Haven, CT

TRIAGE-INTERNAL MEDICINE
Judy Loon, RN, Hilton Head, SC, Director
Myrna Horn, Hilton Head, SC, Translator
Tiffany Loon, Hilton Head, SC
Laurie Soong, Hamden, CT
Justin Quigley, Hamden, CT
PHARMACY/INTERNAL MED. CLINIC
Peggy Otto, Birmingham, AL, Director
Christine Todd, Hilton Head, SC

GYNECOLOGY/OBSTETRICS
David Hackney, MD, Columbus, OH
Judy Ganster, RN, Joliet, Illinois

OPHTHALMOLOGY
Michael Callahan, MD, Birmingham, AL
Wade Joiner, MD, Birmingham, AL
Ben Roberts, MD, Birmingham, AL
David Skier, MD, Birmingham, AL
ASSISTING IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
Scott Chramer, Measured eyes for Cataract Surgery, Birmingham, AL
Will Cambardella, Birmingham, AL
Larry Otto, Measured eyes for Cataract Surgery, Birmingham, AL
Nan Skier, Birmingham, AL
Billie Armstrong, RN, Birmingham, AL
Beth Sandefur, RN, Birmingham. AL

PEDIATRICS
Lisa Lustberg, MD, Columbus, OH
Bonnie Matthews, MD, New Haven, CT
Hernan Moreno, MD, Birmingham, AL
TRIAGE-PEDIATRICS
Ashley Hunt, Birmingham, AL
LaVerne Ramsey, Birmingham, AL

TRANSLATORS
Christine Edgerton, Durham, NC
Edward Kissell, Birmingham, AL
Myrna Horn, Hilton Head, SC
Sarah Vroom, Laguna Neguel, CA

VIDEOGRAPHY
Scott Chramer, Birmingham, AL
Terri Jones, Birmingham, AL

OPTOMETRY & LOW VISION SERVICE
Patti Fuhr, OD, PhD, Birmingham, AL
Dunia Mendoza, OD, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Max Bruss, Mission Coordinator, VOSH Florida
Kim Zebehazy, MS, Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Pittsburg, PA
Lester Orellano, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Sergio Romero, Managua, Nicaragua
Lowell Smith, RN, NC
Abbott Williams, FOR Representative, Birmingham, AL
Cheryl Williams, FOR Representative, Birmingham, AL
Claudia Cajina Mora, MD. Alabama-Granada- Clinica,
Fatima Lacayo de Saenz, Alabama-Granada Clinica, Director
Numerous & Wonderful
Alabama-Granada Clinica Volunteers

HOSPITAL REPORTS
NATIONAL CENTER OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, MANAGUA
Ben Roberts, Retinologist, saw a total of 50 patients during the week and did 3 retina surgeries a day for a total of 12 during the week. More indigent people needed surgery. The local retina doctor was to perform the remaining surgeries free of charge using the supplies Dr. Roberts left at the hospital.

HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON-NICARAGUA
GRANADA, NICARAGUA

HOSPITAL RECORDS REPORT ON PATIENTS SEEN IN CLINICS:
Internal Medicine Clinic 600 patients
Pediatric Clinic 530 children
Gynecology Clinic 339 women
Ophthalmology 290 patients
HOSPITAL RECORDS REPORT ON SURGERIES PERFORMED:
OPHTHALMOLOGY GYNECOLOGY
38 Cataracts 4 Hysterectomies
2 Suture removal 2 Marshall-Marchetti
12 Strabismus
3 Cornea transplants
3 Glaucoma Filters

ALABAMA GRANADA CLINIC RECORDS REPORT ON PATIENTS SEEN BY OPTOMETRY AND LOW VISIONS TEAM

678 Eye examinations
980 Glasses Dispensed
10 Low vision evaluations with dispensing of magnifers and Special reading glasses
10 Special high power eyeglasses prescribed, frames chosen for patients and lenses cut to specification, paid for by VOSH
18 Pediatric eye examinations
3 Blind persons trained with white cane for safer travel, significant other also trained in sighted-guide
Referrals to Ophthalmology for glaucoma surgery, diabetic laser surgery, cataract surgery, strabismus surgery
See www.voshalabama.org and www.vosh-florida.org for full report.

ACCOMPANYING PARENT FOR MISSION EXPERIENCE
Michael A. Callahan, Jr.
Alexandra Ganster
Andres Vargas

____________(2004) February, Twenty physicians and eighteen support personnel including three Registered nurses, one CRNA and one Surgical Assistant volunteered in Granada and Managua. Over $2,000,000 in medicines, supplies and equipment were shipped.

HOSPITAL AMISTAD JAPON-NICARAGUA, GRANADA

GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC was attended by Drs. Gus Dubois, Nick Loon, Weily Soong and Stephen Oehlers. They were assisted by Peggy Otto, LPN and Adrienne Oehlers.
573 PATIENTS WERE SEEN.
        TRIAGE UNIT FOR GENERAL MED CLINIC was directed by Judy Loon, RN and ably assisted by Tiffany Loon, Deirdre Loon, Lauri Soong, Justin Quigley, Lindsey Comas and Scott Comas.
        PEDIATRIC CLINIC was conducted by Drs. Hernan Moreno, Kenneth Zouhary, and Marshall Pitts. Blanca Moreno assisted.
321 PATIENTS WERE SEEN.

OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC was conducted by Drs. Michael Callahan, Wade Joiner, Wade Brock and Mark Drabkin. Ultra sound equipment for measuring eyes was operated by Larry Otto and Scott Chramer.
210 PATIENTS WERE SEEN
SURGERIES PERFORMED WERE:
27 CATARACTS
5 CORNEA TRANSPLANTS
7 ESTRABISMS
1 RECONSTRUCTION OF AN EYELID
1 GLAUCOMA FILTER

GENERAL SURGERY WAS PERFORMED BY Drs. Lee Chapman and William Viar. They were assisted in clinic by their wives, Karen Chapman and Barbara Viar.
GENERAL SURGERY CONSULTS WERE 125
8 CHOLECYSTECTOMIES
4 HERNIA REPAIRS (ADULT)
1THYROIDECTOMY
1 BREAST BIOPSY
3 HERNIA REPAIRS (PEDIATRIC) DONE BY DR. MARSHALL PITTS.

MANAGUA HOSPITALS
40 VITRECTOMIES DONE BY DRS. RICHARD FEIST AND JOHN MASON
75 patients seen in Ophthalmology clinic


CARDIOLOGY:15 PACEMAKERS inserted by Dr. Ilana Kutinski assisted by Kiersten Taber
Two additional pacemakers were presented to La Primera Dama, Doña Lila de Bolaños at our Grand Opening of Alabama-Granada Clinica .
One was later inserted in an 83 year old indigent man, another in an older woman. Surgery was done by Dr. Daniel Menses (Local Cardiologist)

We have hired local Physicians for Alabama-Granada Clinica, our year round health service for indigent adults and children
Director:
Señora Fatima Lacayo de Saenz, with help from volunteers in Granada.
Attending Physicians:
Dr. Silvio Cuadra
Dr. Claudia Cajina
A year round clinic will enable us to send doctors, frequently rather than one time a year. Problems with eyes are extremely prevalent in Nicaragua.

NEEDS
For Alabama-Granada Clinica:  12 Lead EKG Machine, Portable Ultra Sound machine, Portable Doppler, a Pulse Oxymeter, Ophthalmology exam chair with slit lamp

        ALL TRIPS ARE BY INVITATION AND SANCTIONED BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH OF NICARAGUA. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HOSPITALS ARE CAREFULLY DOCUMENTED. PHYSICIANS HAVE CURRENT LICENSES. VOLUNTEERS PHYSICIANS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL, PAY THEIR OWN EXPENSES.

A RETROSPECTIVE
We have had the excitement of discovering a building in the old section of Granada for our clinic. We have experienced raising the money to buy it, to renovate it, to staff it. Although most of the volunteers are not from Latin America, we have adopted the poor in Nicaragua as our medical mission. We share the ownership of the clinic with the volunteers in Nicaragua. We accomplished much in a short time. Our prayers are that this will be a mission that grows and excites many who wish to be volunteer servants. We pray that there are those who cannot be volunteers who will make monetary contributions to keep this mission growing in importance in Granada. We wish to be a beacon to the poor and those who wish to help. All contributions are 100% tax deductible under not for profit 501 (c) (3).

_______

(2003) February, We took 34 physicians and support personnel to Hospital Amistad Japon-Nicaragua in Granada and Cardiology and Ophthalmology hospitals in Managua.

Ophthalmologists: Drs. David Skier, Michael Callahan, and Richard Feist
41 cataract surgeries in Granada–17 Vitrectomies in Managua
Pediatric Surgeon: Dr. Marshall Pitts–13 Surgical procedures

Maxillofacial:
Drs. James Koehler, Craig Fairburne, and Dr. Kenneth Zouhary
20 surgical procedures
General Surgeon:
Dr. Lee Chapman --11 Surgical procedures
Nephrologist:
Dr. Nick Loon
Internists:
Drs. Weily Soong, Stephen Oehlers, Jorge Pino
Anesthesiologists:
Drs. Deloy Oberlin and Jerald Clanton
CRNA:
Joe Stowell
Gastroenterologist:
Dr. John Meier --Endoscope 11 colonoscope
RNS:
Valorie Wilson, assisted Dr. Skier. Judy Loon (conducted diabetes classes) , Janet Radford, assisted Dr. Meier
LPN Peggy Otto with Dr. Soong over saw general med clinic
Scott Chramer, Larry Otto (measured for lenses) Lauri Soong, Laurie Feist worked triage, screening and registering patients for clinic
Pediatrician:
Dr. Hernan Moreno (assistant, LaVerne Ramsey).

_______________

(2002) We also visited Asociacion Pro-Ninos Quemados De Nicaragua (a hospital for burned children) in Managua. We delivered equipment necessary to their work with the children: a dermatome, two cauteries, bayonet forceps, Padget dermatome blades, Patient Electrodes and Esu pens, Dermacarriers3.1 and 9.1, for graft mesher and Visera retainers (All Sterile) to be used in surgery.

Specialties in:
Ob/Gyn-- Drs. O. Thomas Bolding, John Wideman and Gilder Wideman,
12 Gyn surgeries
Ophthalmology–Drs David Skier, Richard Feist,
44 cataracts, 10 corneas
General Surgery–Dr. Jaime Bitran, 15 surgical procedures.
Anesthesiology–Dr. Jerald Clanton
Orthopedics –Dr. Brice Brackin 12 orthopedic procedures
Endocrinology–Dr. J. Rodolfo Vargas
General Medicine-- Dr. Chivers Woodruff, Weily Soong and Vargas
Ob/Gyn Doctors conducted breast self-exam seminars. These were well attended.

A four month old baby with Retinopathy of Prematurity was brought to Alabama for eye surgery. Dr. Richard Feist did the surgery. The baby stayed with his mother at Dr. Vargas’ home. Dr. Crayton Fargason arranged for the surgery at Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, AL.

Although hopes for complete recovery of his eye sight are bleak, he responds to light and stimulus that indicate hopefully he has had some improvement. The chances of complete recovery of eyesight are 40%.

(2002), February 15, we made a return medical trip to Hospital Amistad Japon-Nicaragua in Granada. Twenty one medical personnel from Alabama made the trip. In the five days we were in Granada, we saw over 300 indigent cases a day in the four clinics, Ophthalmology, Pediatric, General Medicine, Pulmonary and Orthopedic.*
Orthopedists–Drs. Brice Brackin and Dewey Jones 10 total knee replacements, were accompanied by two nurses and one tech assistant.
Ophthalmologist–Dr. David Skier 10 cornea transplants,50 cataract surgeries
Maxillofacial–Dr. James Koehler, 12 complicated facial surgeries
Pediatric Surgeon–Dr. Marshall Pitts, 17 surgeries
Pediatrician–Dr. Hernan Moreno
Internist/Pulmonary–Dr. Gus Dubois
Endocrinologist–Dr. J. Rodolfo Vargas
Internist–Dr. Weily Soong

__________

(2001) In February we took 22 medical personnel to Hospital Amistad, Japon-Nicaragua. We were accompanied by four Operating room assistants, a videographer and three people to handle supplies. We solicited over $1,000,000 in equipment and medicines which were donated to the ill-equipped hospitals in Granada and Managua. Complete operating equipment for Cataracts, retinas, laparoscopic, and arthroscopic surgeries were included with medication and neonatal supplies.

_________

(2000) February. Our Medical personnel arrived in Granada for our first mission. We worked in the Hospital Amistad Japon-Nicaragua. Clinics were held for Ob-Gyn, Ophthalmology, and General Medicine. We took medical supplies and medical equipment. Equipment was donated to the hospital and medications were given to the poor who came to the clinics. The estimated cost of the medical equipment, medical supplies and medicines was about $500,000.
2 Ophthalmologists–Drs. David Skier and Richard Feist 50 Cataracts and 6 cornea transplants
1 General and Neck Surgeon–Dr. Jaime Bitran Surgeries 8
1 Urologist–Dr. Salvador Marin Urology 8 surgeries
1 Endocrinologist–Dr. J. Rodolfo Vargas
1 Anesthesiologist–Dr. Jerald Clanton
2 General Medicine-- Drs. Chivers Woodruff and Weily Soong
1 Neurologist–Dr. Lacayo
1 Maxilofacial–Dr. Fernandez Maxillofacial 12 surgeries
3 Obstetricians/Gynecologists-- Drs. O. Thomas Bolding, Gilder Wideman and Dr. Lugo6 surgical procedures
1 ENT Dr. Bolaños

We also took school supplies to be distributed to schools where the poor attended in the afternoons when paying students had gone home. With a work team from Highland UMC, we renovated three rooms and paid for building of a new bathroom in the same area in Asylum La Providencia. The rooms are currently being used for isolation cases of indigent.

_________

(1998) After Hurricane Mitch flooded much of Nicaragua, we took medical supplies to treat displaced poor in the countryside. $35,000 was collected from members of Highlands United Methodist Church and outside contributors. The money was presented to the Nicaraguan Red Cross for buying food to donate to the victims. We went into the fields where displaced Nicaraguans were existing in hot, black plastic huts. They had open sewage and one water hydrant for hundreds of people. Dr. Vargas treated and dispensed medicines to the poor in the fields.

_____________

(1995) We brought an 11 year old boy to Birmingham, AL for surgery. At 18 months a garbage truck backed over him and severed his leg at the hip. He was fitted in Birmingham with a special prosthesis not available in Nicaragua. In 2002, he graduated from high school. He plays baseball now.

__________

(1993) We placed (3 complete units) commercial washers, dryers and an institutional stove in Granada, Nicaragua. Of these: one (1) washer, one (1) dryer and the stove were placed in Asylum La Providencia, a nursing home for indigent elderly.

        Two (2) washers and two (2) dryers were placed in the ancient hospital. Previously hospital linens were washed by hand and laid to dry on stones. When the old hospital closed, washers and dryers were removed to the new hospital built by the Japanese.
( Hospital Amistad Japon-Nicaragua).

 

 

View Web Site Rules and Regulations, Copyright 2007 For Nicaraguan Health Inc. A Non Profit 501(c) (3) Corporation All Rights Reserved. Users of this site agree to be bound by the terms of the For Nicaraguan Health Inc. Web Site Rules and Regulations.