A new way for members of the team to contribute to the area was through an invitation to the surgeons to lecture at the Huehuetenango medical school. Over 100 students heard Iowa MOST team members Dr. Brian Andrews and Dr. Ross Zbar, plastic surgeons, present lectures on cranial-facial surgery and burn wound care and treatment. The opportunity to teach local…
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Pediatrician Oscar Gomez, a member of the Iowa MOST team, was invited to speak at a Da Vinci University School of Medicine Huehuetenango-based conference that was live streamed to four other locations in Guatemala and Mexico. As an infectious diseases specialist, his topic was acute gastroenteritis and its after effects. He received an award from…
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“Leave it better than you found it” is an informal motto of Iowa MOST. During the mission, bio-medical engineer, Dennis Wilson assisted by DGE John Ockenfels repaired numerous pieces of equipment returning them to good working order. The items of equipment included a12 lead EKG machine , anesthesia machine, baby warmer, two infusion pumps, table…
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Families make incredible sacrifice in the hopes of accessing care through the Iowa MOST mission. The youngest patient served on this trip was 5 month old Francisco. His father brought him to be screened alone because the baby’s mother had become paralyzed after childbirth and could not travel. Little Francisco had no shortage of people who want to hug…
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Rotary District 6000 Rotarians contributed generously to a book fund established by District Governor Jacque Andrew. While in Guatemala, DG Jacque purchased books using money from the fund with the assistance of Salus hospital friend, Rosanna De La Roca, for a village school served by the Casa Colibri clinic. She and Casa Colibri director, Paco…
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A mission like Iowa MOST relies on great teamwork! Operating Room Nurses Jessica Wolfe, Pat Wehrle, Karla Garibay and Jen Oliver pause for a moment between cases. Thank you for your commitment to our patients and families! Patients of Iowa MOST are primarily pediatric and the team working with the kids is experienced. Ready to welcome them are…
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It is tradition for the Rotary Club of Huehuetenango to host the Iowa MOST team for a special evening meeting. This year the event was held at the home club president Otto Mont with opening remarks by club leaders. MOST medical director John Canady shared that the mission’s return to Huehue is like a “family…
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During the week, Rotarians Gary Pacha, MOST team leader; District Governor Jacque Andrew and District Governor-elect John Ockenfels toured the Huehuetenango Fire Department. The District’s Fire and Medical Supply Company (FAMSCO) has partnered with the department through Rotary grants to purchase a completely outfitted ambulance and fire truck that are in service. Submitted by Jacque…
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A new aspect of the Iowa MOST team is the genetic research being conducted by Dr. Martine Dunnwald to learn more about cleft lip and palate. Here she is explaining the project to a family with instructions on the collection of saliva in the vials she is preparing. The tissue samples collected during surgeries allow…
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All patients and families receive discharge instructions and teaching using native speaking interpreters for proper medication use and dietary precautions. Then sent on their way with lots of hugs from the team! Submitted by Jacque Andrew
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