Medical Missions Foundation

Clinic Day in the Philippines

After two days at the clinic over 825 patients were seen. Jan and Helen distributed balloons and toys after the children visited the doctors. Pictured here are some satisfied customers.

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-Op and Post-Op Nurses

The pre-op and post-op nurses help make our missions run smoothly from start to finish. Not only are they crucial during the mission, they are also involved in packing and planning for each mission. Here is an MMF shout out to Kay, Cindy, Leila, Denise and Jo. Patient care is their priority and they are a winning combination of caring, professional and fun.

 

Be the Change You Wish to See in the World

“ Be the change you wish to see in the world”.  This popular quote from Gandhi describes our mission sponsor, Nora.  When her husband Bob asked her what she wanted for her 60^th birthday, she told him that she would like to sponsor a mission to the Philippines…and that she did! She even continued her role as "Nora the Clown" to entertain the children at the hospital and a local orphanage.

The MMF medical team was treated to quite a thank you dinner and party, compliments of the Honorable Mayor Dan Neri Lim and the people of Tagbilaran City.  The Philippines premier soprano, Rachelle Gerodias and first tenor Lemmel dela Cruz performed songs from Phantom of the Opera.   The evening included a special presentation to Nora and all of the MMF volunteers.  Additionally Dr. Tammy presented donations of doppler equipment for the Barrio clinic, blood pressure machines, stethoscopes, nebulizers and accucheck machines to the health clinic as well as a Laparoscopic tower to the hospital. 

 

 

Videos from the Philippines Mission

Welcome and flag raising ceremony this week in Bohol, the Philippines:

 

Dr. Counts shares his experience on the mission:

 

 

 

About Andal

Drs. C and S removed a colloid goiter from 18 year old Andal. While Andal was fortunate to have a job as a waitress earning the U.S. equivalent of $2/day, she was having problems fulfilling her job responsibilities. Heavy lifting was out of the question with her condition and she was expected to lift cases of beverages and other items. When we visited her hospital room the morning after her surgery, her devoted mother had tears of happiness in her eyes as she expressed thanks for the surgery. Phyllis, Olga and Vonnie rounded out the ENT surgical team.

Tribes Make Our Lives Better

I started reading a book on the plane on the way to the Philippines called “Tribes” by Seth Godin.  Seth claims that a group needs only 2 things to be a tribe:  a shared interest and a way to communicate.   Tribes need leaders too. Our leaders for the Philippines mission are Cora and Dr. Tammy.  Medical Missions Foundation brings people  together  with a unified purpose.  Our volunteers take their time, money, passion and expertise to serve.  They also have the support of their families and friends.

According to Seth, people also want connection, growth and something new.  Seth also notes that “Tribes make our lives better”.  While I didn’t really need to read a book to appreciate that, I would say that Tribe Philippines has accomplished what it set out to do.  Our sponsor Nora, mission leaders Tammy and Cora - we thank you.  Many lives were changed for the better, including our own.  It was fun, fulfilling and memorable. The tribe has spoken.

(The blog this week has been written by Medical Missions Foundation Executive Director Jane Savidge).

 

Please like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MedicalMissionsFoundation to see an album of pictures from the Philippines mission.  

 

Gerald's Life-Altering Surgery

The Honorable Mayor Lim called the mayor from neighboring Inabauga to ask if he knew of any children in  need of cleft lip and palate surgery.  The mayor immediately thought of four year old Gerald, a fisherman’s son.  Arrangements were made for the family to travel by boat for several hours to Tagbilaran City where an ambulance met them to bring them to the hospital.  Surgical screening was expedited and Gerald was readied for surgery.  I had the privilege of visiting with Gerald’s mother, Mila Mae prior to his surgery.  She and her husband have two other children, a three year old and a 5 month old.  She described Gerald as a shy boy who prefers to stay at home since he is constantly teased by his playmates.

Mila Mae said she is very happy about the operation.  It will help the whole family, she said and will help Gerald, “live a happy life.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured above: Gerald with his mother Mila Mae; Mila Mae, Gerald, Joyce and Dr. G.

Shealalyn's Story

Twenty year old Shealalyn has had a slow growing tumor since she was four. A quiet demeanor and a ready smile, she wears her hair over half of her face to hide it. The congenital tumor is also obstructing her vision. Her father’s wish as well as her own is to go to college. A bright young lady, she has completed her high school education and is currently working as a nanny where she also homeschools her employer’s two children.

Shealalyn is Dr. G’s first patient at 8 a.m. today. A plastic surgeon and MMF volunteer, Dr. G confided in me that he had already performed the surgery several times since he awoke at 5 a.m by visualizing every detail of the complicated procedure many times. He discovered Shealalyn when she visited us in the clinic on Sunday.

Three hours later the successful surgery was over and Shealalyn was just coming out of recovery. Dr. G was pleased with the results for several reasons. He successfully removed the “neurofibroma”(tumor) and was able to reconstruct her face and remove the extra bulk out of her eyelid. An added bonus was that the chief surgical resident at the hospital, Dr. Doron, assisted him by doing a lot of the sewing. Dr. Doron was very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the surgery. Shealalyn should be able to go home tomorrow and we will post a picture after she has rested.

An Amazing Monday

The day began with singing and a flag ceremony.  The ORs were staffed and the surgeries began.  Dr. G began his day with John, a 5 year old with a cleft palate.  His speech was severly impaired.  After a one hour surgery he was doing great in recovery.  Smiling from ear to ear, his grandmother thanked us profusely.  She said she was especially grateful because now John will be able to grow up and "hear his voice."

The Tagbilaran City Hall lobby has been transformed into a clinc for the next 3 days while Medical Missions Foundation is here.  Ten local doctors have volunteered to see those that cannot afford doctor's visits and medications.  Local pharmacists are also assisting with dispensing medications that were purchased by MMF for the clinic.  There were hundreds of children and their families waiting in line for hours.  And waiting patiently I might add.  At the end of their visit they were treated to a stuffed animal, balloon or toy.  Over 300 clinic patients were seen today. 

Dr. Tammy began her day with a 4 year old hernia patient that was experiencing a great deal of pain.  His mother was very thankful that they were "included in this mission." Dr. Tammy, a veteran of 20 MMF missions, is pictured below with her latest fan.

Screening Day

We begin our Sunday with a meeting and welcome from the administators at the Gov. Cellestine Gallares Memorial Hospital which will be our home away from home this week.  The 1st day of any medical mission is usually pretty hectic and today was no exception.  The surgeons screen patients for the upcoming week, the anesthesia providers also screen patients and make sure the equipment is in proper working condition.  The nurses undertake the immense task of unloading the boxes that were previously shipped and attemt to "organize" the operating rooms and a functional supply room.

The doctors saw some very interesting cases today in preparation for the week.  There will be many success stories to share as we continue our journey in Bohol.  Stay tuned for more pictures and stories.

 

Arrived in Bohol

We were met with hospitality everywhere we turned today.  Before departing from the Manila Hotel to catch our plane to Bohol we were treated to a tour of the "suite" where General MacArthur stayed.  We arrived in Bohol to a first class greeting with welcome signs and a band. 

After checking in to our hotel we took a river boat dinner cruise and once again were treated to wonderful music and dancing.  Tomorrow it is off to the hospital to get set up and ready to begin our medical mission.

MMF Arrival

We heard word from our Philippines crew a while ago. Everyone arrived safely and will leave for Bohol tomorrow.

Mission in Progress- Philippines 2011 Volunteers Left This Morning

Our team of volunteers left this morning for our 14th mission to the Philippines with longtime Mission Coordinator Cora, a Filipino native and MMF board member. Serving as the mission Medical Director is MMF board member Dr. Tammy, who has also led missions to Mali and Guatemala. Here are some mission pictures from years past. For more stories of past missions to the Philippines, check out blog posts here.