Returning to Niger were Drs. Charles Ascher-Walsh, Alf Bent, Joan Blomquist, Julianne Newcomer, Greg Owens and Lise Rehwaldt. New to our team were Drs. Joe T. Stubbs, Peter Dottino, Rehana Kauser, Giti Bensinger, David Choi, Sameena Rahman, and Candace Lovell. Medical students were John Okrent, Katie Devine, Nelson Fong and Alexandra Goodyear. Our wonderful Irish friend, Siobhan Darcy-Bewick, also joined our group again.
With the Niger Government’s help we had close to 200 women waiting in the Courtyard! Our team examined 131 patients and operated on 51 women.
Dr. Joseph T. Stubbs comments:
“Traveling to Niger as a member of the IOWD was an experience rich with unforgettable impressions and memories. When one first arrives in Niger, one is struck by the graciousness and generosity of her people. In America, we sometimes forget the true calling of medicine; forget the things which are important. In Niger, there is no question, and I am grateful to the Fistula women for allowing me to be part of their lives. Their friendships are ones I will cherish forever. Not a week goes by that I do not revisit those long, hot Nigerien days and look forward to returning each February for years to come.”