Education: Our Physicians

The first and foremost reason for MOST is to provide a safe surgery for cleft lip and palate to the people of Guatemala who do not have access to such procedures. Another major objective is education, an objective that expands each year of the mission.

Built into the first MOST mission was the inclusion of physicians in training. Don Solomon was a Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellow at the University of Iowa and joined MOST for the first time last year. Dr. Solomon finished his fellowship in 2010 and started a pediatric ENT practice in Philadelphia. Don returned to MOST this year, “for the unique hands-on medical educational opportunity that is unlike any you can get back in the States during training. You do more cleft palate surgeries in a week with MOST than trainees do in two months. Not only is the clinical experience robust, but it is an opportunity to serve those in need. It is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families.”

Dr. Ben Cable joined the MOST mission for the first time this year. He had been a Fellow with Dr. Canady, our Medical Team Leader, before MOST began. Dr. Canady invited him to join the team this year and he jumped at the opportunity. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and is currently serving as a Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. He is also the current Chief of the Cleft Team at Tripler. Dr. Cable says:

“Although you can learn the science of cleft surgery over a finite period of time, you never stop learning the art. Every child is different and no single formula applies. I don't think there is any other surgical procedure where experience is more important. Having the opportunity to train with John Canady was a privilege. Being able to work with him again during this trip, after working on my own for the last 8 years, was invaluable. The benefits of this trip will certainly be brought back to help other children well beyond those served in Guatemala.”