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.