Category: Niger

In the extraordinary heat of April, our “regular” team returned. Drs. Ralph Chesson, Karolynn Echols, Cynthia Hall, Briana Robinson-Walton, Okey Ibaneu, Saifuddin Mama, Star Hampton, Sharon Knight and Roberta Blandon braved the 120-degree heat once again. Joining us this time were Fellows Dr.Rene Ward and Dr. Sharon Jakus.

Our Anesthesia team included Dr. Fatai Illupeju, Dr. Ricardo Palop, Anesthesia Nurses Janet Dewan and Emily Ostiguy. The Nursing team was lead by returning nurse, Kathleen Scott and assisted by Julia Chandler. Our non-medical volunteers were Horace Field and Ellen Palop.

Drs. Chuck Ascher-Walsh, Giti Bensinger, Joan Blomquist, Tim McKinney, Julianne Newcomer, Greg Owens, and Joe T. Stubbs returned to Niger again in February, Drs. Azin Shahryarinejad and Christian Litton joined the team of surgeons for their first trip to Niger, as did Dr. Helen Hostin, Obstetrician/Gynecologist.

Anesthesiologists Stacie Deiner, Andrew Smith, Anita Patel and Nurse Anesthetist, Janet Dewan formed a wonderful new team to teach the Nigerien anesthesia team.

Nurse Njoki Ng’ang’a returned again to lead a team of nurses…Suzy Arencibia, Louise Gilbert and Holly Rae Stone. John Alexander, Scott Newcomer, Rebecca Ascher-Walsh, Susan Wetmore and Julie Dallaire were the non-medical volunteers. Medical students were Danielle Trief, Ana Beesen and High School students, Cynthia McKinney and Tori Phelan also joined our group.

Drs. Charles Ascher Walsh, Bruce Crawford, Jeff Wilkinson, Michael Brodman, Jeffrey Freed, Scott Eder, Michael Vardy, Sakti Das, Roy Ayalon, Tina Ayeni, Rehana Kauser; Nurses Njoki Ng’ang’a, Yolande Aqui, Kathy Raney and Surgical technician, Kristine Long made up the October team. Students Leigh Rosen, Dana Kusnir and Nora Wilson also participated.

IOWD shipped 16 huge cartons, filled with medicines, supplies and equipment for the National Hospital and Gazobe Maternity Hospital. The cartons will filled with transformers, a cystoscope, battery back-ups, and a suction machine to help in the births at the Maternity Hospital…this was a “first” for Gazobe…and very much appreciated by the doctors and midwives. Dr. Scott Eder, who donated the machine, worked with the staff, teaching them how to use this new equipment. Firmly committed to establishing an IOWD program at Gazobe Maternity, Dr. Eder began his plans for his return to Niger in 2008 with a few more surprises!