Author: TEAM IOWD

Our April mission included IOWD “regulars”, Dr. Karolynn Echols, Dr. Briana Walton, Dr. Sharon Knight, Dr. Cynthia Hall, Dr. Roberta Blandon, Dr. Ralph Chesson, Dr. Scott Eder, Dr. Elizabeth Erekson, Dr. Fatai Ilupeju, Professor Janet Dewan, and Nurses, Evan Epper and Jacqueline Green.

New to this large group was Dr. Gina Sternschuss, Dr. Tyler Hartman, Dr. Stacey Knox; Nurses Anne Patrick and Barbara Nalley; Anesthesia Nurses, Heather Herbowy, David Dirito and Jessica Hartman and students Elly Dewan and Almog Cohen.

Based on a program that involves calling our patients who had been treated at the previous mission, we had over a 50% return of women for follow-up exams. The Rwandan medical students are doing a fabulous job contacting all of these patients and urging them to return, despite travels from long distances.

The IOWD January team included Dr. Daniel Brodie, Dr. Elizabeth Babin, Dr. Eric Fassler, Dr. Star Hampton, Dr. Josh Holden, Dr. David McDermott, Dr. Tim McKinney, Dr. Saifuddin Mama, Dr. Greg Owens, Dr. Kristi Pielstick, Dr. Anjali Saqi, Dr. Yonas Tesfaye, Dr. Blair Washington, Dr. Yong Tao Zheng and Anesthesia Nurses, Rebekah Cummings and Kathryn Phares. Suzy Arencibia was the only registered Nurse to join us on this trip. Fortunately for the fistula team, Suzy had everything under control!

We no longer were able use the building that had housed our patients in April and October 2010, but the Ministry of Health came to our rescue and set up two large tents for the women! Exam rooms in the Maternity area at Kibagabaga were assigned to us…and we began our work examining the patients.

The Rwandan medical students had called all the patients from October and reminded them to return for follow-up exams. Many did so…and so many women expressed their gratitude for the successful surgeries that now allowed them to live a normal life.

Going to Rwanda for the first time, our “regular” October members included Dr. Joan Blomquist, Dr. Aditya Dash,
Dr. Jeffrey Freed, Dr. David Glazier, Dr. Sharon Knight, Dr. Soo Kwon, Dr. Andrew Smith, Janet Dewan, Nurse Anesthetist, and Nurses Suzy Arencibia and Melanie Haller. New to IOWD were Dr. Eric Fassler, Dr. James Greenberg, Dr. Darla Klokeid, Dr. Abner Korn, Dr. Gene Kramolowsky, Dr. Bill Morgan and Dr. Ralph Pennino.

One hundred and twelve patients were waiting for us and every woman was examined. We had the use of a new building on the grounds of Kibagabaga for our exams, the anesthesia consultations and for housing the patients. Originally built for drug resistant TB patients, the Minister of Health provided the building for our use in April and again in October. Beds, mattresses, sheets, blankets were moved quickly to accommodate the patients. Rwandan nurses were assigned to care for the post operative patients. Cleaning crews came down all day to keep the rooms and bathrooms perfectly clean. The patients couldn’t have been more comfortable than they were…the Kibagabaga staff were wonderful and assisted us in every detail.