The Iowa MOST Team

A Day in Antigua, Guatemala (Saturday)

We arrived in Antigua by mid afternoon on Friday.  After checking into the hotel, everyone went their own way, some relaxed at the hotel before dinner, others were exploring the city.  Antigua is a town prepared for tourist.  It is known as a place to come for one-on-one Spanish lesson. 

Antigua Central Park with Jackaranda Trees in Bloom

Gov't Building on Central Park Decorated for Lent

Cathedral on Central Park

We are here during Lent, and that is visible in different ways – purple banners on buildings, ‘way of the cross’ stations on the square, but the most unique way is a large piece of ‘sand art’ on the floor at the front of several of the churches. The saw dust art is beautiful.

Saw Dust Art in an Antigua Cathedral

Another Saw Dust Art in an Antigua Cathedral

Close-up of Saw Dust Art

Today (Saturday) the group will be doing things entirely on their own, some are zip-lining, others are hiking, other shopping at the large market, and others relaxing.

The bus will be leaving for Guatemala City around 5:00pm.  Dinner will be in G’mala City tonight, with the flight back to the states leaving mid-morning Sunday. 

Cal and I will be picking up a rental car today, and spending several more days in G’mala. If anyone is interested in following the Litwiller’s further adventures in Central America, - Costa Rico and Panama, go to http://Litwilleradventures.blogspot.com

Fourth (Wed) & Fifth (Thurs) Days of Surgery

The week is flying by.  Each day procedures are completed in both surgery and dentistry. 

Each day patients from the previous day surgery are discharged, and new patients are being admitted.  Parents and patients are so patient! 

The clowns came to the pre and post surgery ward several days to entertain the kids.  Also, Volunteer Robyn and other volunteers helped entertain the newly admitted patients and for those who had surgery - help divert their thoughts from their discomfort. 

Each day the Lady Rotarians (Damas Rotarias) would bring us lunches.  This group of Ladies is very special to us!

Each day daughters, granddaughters and sons of Rotarians came to help translate.  This has been a delightful group of young people. 

Mindy and Dee were able to give ‘comfort gifts’ to each of the children.  – a stuffed animal and a beanie baby. 

Ruben brought with him several bags of new clothing his classes at Columbus Community High School made for the children of Guatemala.  Mindy and Dee had the pleasure of seeing the smiles on the faces of the parents in appreciation.

Volunteers Jim Arthur, Reinhard and Krasi spent much of their time between the Recovery Room, observing surgery, and generally giving a ‘hand’ when it was needed.  They also had the unique experience of visiting a rural school where they gave the kids new toothbrushes with a tube of paste, all donated by J & J, along with a brushing demo. 

Each day those who had time and the inclination explored Xela – the markets, churches, and other shopping – a few ‘green backs were left in Xela!

Thursday we were able to finish procedures early, so with ‘all hands on deck’, we packed and inventoried the items we will store here in Xela for 2014, the items we donated to the hospital where we held our MOST clinic, and the items we will ship to Huehue for next years mission. 

Gaylords Packed for Storage

Thurs pm MOST was invited to the Xela Rotary Club meeting held at the Xela Tennis Club. Xela Rotary showed us their appreciation in many ways, but the great fellowship, celebration and dancing brought the mission to a fabulous close. 

On the Bus heading to the Tennis Club Gala with Xela Rotarians

Ben, Jody, Lucia and Mindy

David, Keith and Sandy

Steve, John, Gary and Bill

This (Friday) morning after breakfast the ‘strong’ guys returned to the hospital to help load the gaylords (shipping boxes), while the rest of us made final preparation to leave Xela. 

The Hotel Dining Area

Nancy Giving Gratuity to the Hotel Dining Staff

Today we will be taking a bus to Antigua for a day of R & R (sightseeing), before the group flies back to their various locations in the US. 

The drive through the Guatemalan country side is lovely.  It is winter here so in the higher elevations nothing is actually growing but you see the farmers working in their terraced fields upgrading them for the planning season.  None of this farm work is done by machine. The corn they grow is picked by hand.  In the spring the stalks are burned off the field before the land is prepared for the next crop.      

An Evening of Celebration

After a week of hard work the Iowa MOST team, consisting of the gringos from the US, the local Rotarians and the Damas Rotarias (Rotarian Women), met for a celebratory meeting.  And celebrate we did!  There were serious parts of the meeting recounting the week’s successes and the lives changed for the better, exchange of certificates, words of gratitude, ending with Team Leader Gary Pacha’s cheer.  “Somos un equipo!”  (We are a team!)  “Viva Guatemala!  Viva Quetzaltenango!”  Then we danced!


Submitted by Nancy Pacha

Bill Gates Dancing with one of our Guatemalan Translators

Paco Dancing with our Dental Student, Guatemalan Translators

Steve Aquilino looking Dapper in a Top Hat

Rachel & Cal Litwiller - Non-Medical Volunteers / Rotarians

Rachel Litwiller, Jim Arthur, Pete Wallace and Cal Litwiller

This is our second mission with MOST.  We are definitely non-medical and non-Spanish speaking Rotary support volunteers.  This year Cal was in charge of record keeping – entering and updating the patient data on the MOST data base, plus up-dating and posting the operating schedule. Cal also posted all the items on the blogspot. He did spend one afternoon, dressed in scrubs, observing surgeries which he really enjoyed.  Due to Cal’s Biology background he finds this very interesting.  Cal also handled all the computer generated items – such as photos. 

I, Rachel, spent most of my time keeping ‘command central’ organized so I could find requested items.  I also spent time gathering bios from each MOST participant and wrote some of the articles for the blog, so Cal could post them at night when the internet was more responsive.  On screening day I took all of the photos of the prospective patients, so a photo could be included in their file. 

It has been another rewarding year, “changing one life at a time”.  To see the deformities and then see the correction these skilled surgeons perform, it is just an amazing emotional experience. 

I hope everyone has enjoyed the blog and if you are so moved, please make a contribution to Iowa MOST so this wonderful program will be able to continue year after year.  

Rachel Photographing Patients during Screening

Cal and Mario

Dr. Raul Cordon -- Co-coordinator

Dr Cordon, left, Gary Pacha, right

            Dr. Raul Cordon is chief surgeon of the hospital where we work and a specialist in therapeutic endoscopy.  As co-coordinator of this mission each year and a doctor on staff at the hospital, he has helped us to establish a very congenial relationship with hospital employees and administration.  The strong support he offers us has a great deal to do with the success of the Quetzaltenango mission.  He values Rotary, the organization that brought us together and is grateful for this opportunity to work with Iowa MOST every other year in Quetzaltenango.    

            Dr. Cordon offered an extra service this year when our team leader’s blood pressure shot up to an uncharacteristically high reading.  He called in a cardiologist, went into consultation with other doctors and prescribed medication.  Thank you, Dr. Cordon!

Pete Wallace & Oscar Gomez - Team Pediatricians

Oscar Gomez, left, Pete Wallace, right

Pete Wallace

Pete Wallace Screening Potential Patients

Dr Pete Wallace is a retired Pediatrician. Pete was in private Pediatric practice in IC his whole career.  This is Pete’s 6th Mission with MOST.

Pete has been VP of Medical Staff Affairs of Mercy IC Hospital.

Pete was an organizer and continues as fundraiser for school basic clinics in IC. He also serves on the National Board for school based health. 

 Oscar Gomez

Oscar Gomez, Discussing and arm restraint design with Krasi Hristov 

Dr Oscar Gomez is not only one of our Pediatricians, but also one of our translators as Oscar is Colombian born.  Oscar completed his medical training in Colombia before coming to the US for farther specialty training and research. Oscar has a PHD in Microbiology and Immunology.  He enjoyed research, but missed being with patients and, so he returned for training as a Pediatrician and specialist in Pediatric Infectious Diseases.  Oscar is currently Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. This is Oscar’s 5^th mission with MOST.

Thank You, Dr Wallace and Dr Gomez, for all to do for the Children pre and post surgery.     

The following has been submitted by Robyn Braverman

As the group was unpacking and setting up their stations, I was interested in what brings people back time and time again to this delegation and the work. I spoke with Oscar, a pediatrician currently living in Nashville, and he articulated it so well, it is worth sharing.

"I came as part of this group because this group has a big heart- to come to a country like Guatemala, where kids have no access to this kind of medical care. To be a part of a group with such great infrastructure and expertise is so worthy as it does contribute to effectively meeting the needs of these children. My role as a pediatrician enables me to work with the kids to recognize and reduce any potential risks. We are clear we want to avoid any risks at all. I get to take care of the children post surgery and to help them through the pain and help them in preventing complications after the surgery. "

Pete Wallace, another old hand at this summed it up quite well:

"I love learning more about the indigenous cultures we attend to, but most importantly, I love seeing the before and after..."

I watched Dr. Wallace perform a magic trick to a young girl recovering from appendix surgery today, (as we were walking down the hospital hallway) and I saw her face light up with the pure, and simple joy of being able to laugh and enjoy her recovery just a little bit more than before.

Nancy Pacha - Co-Cordinator / Translator

Nancy Pacha,right, with Diana Garcia

Nancy with Lucia de DeLeon President of Rotary Ladies

"I first came to Guatemala in 2005 with a group to search for a Guatemalan partner for Iowa MOST and I have returned for four of the seven missions.  It’s hard to resist being part of an endeavor that so positively affects the life of another in a way I could never do on my own.  The smiles on the faces of the patients and their families are treasures for my memory.  This is a wonderfully satisfying way for a former Spanish teacher to spend retirement". 

Nancy is an integral part of MOST.  She is the behind the scenes women, supporting Gary in ways the rest of us do not know.

  

Thank You Nancy for your support

Robyn Braverman - Non-Medical Volunteer / Translator

Robyn in the Dental Suite

Robyn Braverman has spent most of her adult life living and working in Latin America. She has worked with rural and urban populations, primarily women and children, in various projects that are geared toward reducing poverty and increasing children’s access to basic services such as protection, education, and health.  This is her first trip with the Iowa MOST delegation, and, given she was asked to be flexible, she has done interpreting and blogging. She is very impressed by the infrastructure and the group dynamic of the delegation, and is very inspired to see the sudden, dramatic change in children. 

Diana Garcia - A Face From Our Past

Diana Garcia - Rotary Exchange Student to Wellman Iowa

Diana, Ready to Visit the OR

Our former Rotary Youth Exchange, to Wellman Iowa, student Diana Garcia helped us out on screening day translating for the anesthesiologists.  The first year medical student has returned twice this week to observe surgery.  Perhaps one day she will be a medical team member of Iowa MOST!

Iowa MOST Surgical Team

Dan Jorgenson

Dan Jorgensen, center

Dan Jorgensen, center

Dan received his training at the U of Iowa 1979-1983. Dan lives in Spencer, Iowa where his has a private ENT practice.  He has been married for 43 years, with 5 children and 3 grandchildren.  Lisa a Hearing and Audiologist; Seth, a Dentist in AZ; Luke, a Hearing and Audiologist; Sarah, an oil field engineer in Alaska, and Ben, a 4^th year dental student at U of I. 

Dan has known John Canady for a long time, as John has facilitated a cleft clinic in his office for 20 years.  Dan says, “I have always wanted to participate in this kind of mission.  Now that I have a young associate, I can do it, and hope to do more.”

Dan, Thanks and join us again!

Ben Cable

Ben Cable, right, and Dr Canady share a lighter moment

Ben Cable, right, in surgery

Kristen Boyle

Hook Em Horns Kristen

Kristen, left

Kristen is a Texan who moved to Iowa City in 2008 to begin her Otolaryngology residency.  Kristen is currently a fourth year resident, and she is planning on staying at UIHC for a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology.  Kristen says, “She has a passion for kids, the underserved, and plastic surgery. The opportunity to participate in this mission was a deciding factor for my moving to Iowa.  I have been touched by the hospitality of the Guatemalan people and the selfless nature of the Iowans that participated in this mission.” 

Thanks Kristen, we will see you in the future! 

Chris Baranano

Success!!

Chris, right

Chris is currently at U of I Hospitals doing his Pediatrics ENT Fellowship.  Chris is married with two children.  This is Chris’s first MOST trip, and he is enjoying the experience.   Chris says, “It is truly an honor to be a part of such a respectable group”.

Chris, Thanks so much for joining us.  

Brian Andrews

Brian in Surgery, light blue

Brian trained in ENT at U of I and worked with many of the MOST team members.  He has done Plastic Surgery followed by Craniofacial Surgery.  Brian is currently Director of Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery at University of Kansas Medical Center.  Brian said, “I joined the trip to work with John Canady who has been my mentor for nearly a decade as well as work with many of my old friends.”

Brian, Thanks for returning with your skill

Reinhard Juraschek – Non-medical Volunteer from Johnson & Johnson

            “People want to do things to help others”.  This is the belief of Reinhard Juraschek.  However, Reinhard believes it can be difficult for them to find “the magic to make it happen.”  Reinhard, a chemist and Director of Research and Development for Johnson & Johnson, says that, like a chemical solution that needs an ingredient to make something happen, people need the catalyst to “latch onto a noble cause.”  When Reinhard heard Dr. John Canady speak about Iowa MOST, he found the “ingredient” he needed to move to action and he volunteered for this mission.  Helping the Guatemalan patients served by the Iowa MOST provides Reinhard a tangible expression of gratitude for the life he is blessed to live. 

Krasimira Hristov – Volunteer from Johnson & Johnson

            Krasimira Hristov, a staff engineer at Johnson & Johnson, develops medical implants.  Originally from Bulgaria, she has lived and worked in South Africa, Germany and the US.  Krasi can create about anything.  When we ran out of arm restraints for patients, Krasi fashioned new ones.  If you were to need a tent, she could make one! 

            Krasimira describes herself as curious, always wanting to learn new things.  A humanitarian mission in a country where she had never been and did not speak the language was attractive to Krasimira, who viewed the experience as a test of herself.  She has enjoyed this time in Guatemala saying it has been fulfilling. 

            An observer of people Krasimira has studied the team members and noted that although they are all unique, they have qualities in common.  They all have a desire to help others and they are “explorers at heart.”

Krasi, right

Growth, Outreach, and Connections of Iowa MOST

Casa Colibri Clinic

Throughout seven Iowa MOST trips there have been many developments that are an expansion of the scope of the mission.  For example, a badly needed ambulance and firefighter turnout gear have been donated to the Fire Department of Huehuetenango.  (See 2011 blog entry Emergency Vehicle)  This year there is another opportunity.  The relationship that has developed through translator Paco Fernandez with the medical clinic Casa Colibri (see 2011 blog entry Friday in Antigua) has expanded our outreach in many ways.  Many patients from the Casa Colibri have been brought to the mission site for lip or palate repair.   Currently there are several children who have been seen at Casa Colibri who suffer from an encephaloceole, a growth between the eyes, which requires surgical removal.   This year one of our Iowa MOST surgeons, Dr. Brian Andrews, Director of Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery at University of Kansas Medical Center, brings us information about programs in the United States with access to funds to bring children to the US from other countries to receive this ‘special’ surgery - Another connection! New hopes that arise from Iowa MOST!

Dr Brian Andrews, right, helps expand our potential

Another advantageous result of Iowa MOST is that one of our Guatemalan doctors Antonio Rosal Alvarez has joined the board of the Casa Colibri Clinic, and he serves as the chief dentist on the clinic’s medical missions, a great asset to the clinic.  Dr. Rosal has participated in every Iowa MOST mission where he met Paco Fernandez and learned about Casa Colibri. Another wonderful connection! 

“Casa Colibri Board Member – Dr Antonia Rosal Alvarez

Dental Outreach

Our two engineers from Johnson & Johnson Krasimira Hristov and Reinhard Juraschek brought 1,000 toothbrushes to donate.  They visited Escuela Oficial Rural Mixta La Paz where they joined in with the children who were already going through their daily routine of filling a small bowl with water, receiving toothpaste from the principal and brushing their teeth in the courtyard.  Krasi and Reinhard led a dental hygiene class and left each child with a new toothbrush to be able to continue their good habits. 

The toothbrushes not donated to the school will be left in the dental clinic of  ‘Hospital Regional de Occidente San Juan de Dios’ where Iowa MOST holds the mission in Quetzaltenango.

 

Reinhard Juraschek    “facilitating a dental hygiene class at a rural school”

A Dental Hygiene Lesson

Classroom Teacher Assisting Demonstration

A Daily Hygiene Routine