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

Dr. Antonio Rosal Alvarez – Dedicated Presence

                There are many individuals who have participated multiple times in Iowa MOST missions and the endeavor is strengthened by this consistency.  There are three individuals who have participated in all seven missions – Head Medical Leader Dr. John Canady, Team Leader Gary Pacha and local Guatemalan dentist Dr. Antonio Rosal Alvarez.  Dr. Rosal’s dedication has lent solidarity and consistency to our Iowa MOST missions from year to year and we are grateful for his constancy. ( You have read about Dr. Rosal in the 2011 blog.)

 Dr. Rosal has a private practice in Guatemala City, but he also is called to a hospital and to clinics when there are patients who have suffered facial trauma to assist with special cases.  A new member of the Casa Colibri Clinic Board of Directors, he serves as the chief dentist during clinics there. 

Father of two sons and husband to a radiation oncologist, Dr. Rosal takes time from work and being with his family because he has that spirit all team members have of wanting to help others.  He has also enjoyed working with Dr. Canady who has who has been a generous and caring mentor.