In order for any project to thrive for the long-term, constant revisions and innovation must take place. Iowa MOST is a project that has been adept at this, and has therefore been able to add new medical services as well as outreach to the scope of the project when it makes sense, and stay relevant…
Read MoreIntegral to the success of the Iowa MOST mission is the dental team, and while not all cleft lip/cleft palate projects have them, the dental team has been a part of the project since the beginning. Dr. Bill Gates, a dentist in private practice in Durham, North Carolina, is on his 8th trip here with…
Read MoreNote: we are rejoining the blog after technical difficulties (see our Facebook page for write-ups about screening day and the first day of surgeries). This morning I observed my first surgery–que milagro! The team operates two OR rooms and six-month old Maria Guadalupe was scheduled for the cleft lip surgery in OR #1 first thing…
Read MoreThe team had a busy but wonderful day today. Many old friends were reunited and new friendships were forged. The Hospital Especialdades and Dr. Oscar Marraquin and his staff were gracious and welcoming, making way for the 37-member team and all of our supplies. After delivering, unpacking and readying things at the hospital for…
Read MoreThis week marks the departure of the Iowa MOST team for the 2017 mission to Huehuetenango, Guatemala. It will be the 12th year of this successful Rotary project, thanks in large part to the amazing partnership between the Iowa medical team, District 6000 Rotary Clubs, the Rotary Club of Huehuetenango, and Dr. Oscar Marroquin, and…
Read MoreFinal thoughts from District 6000 Governor Elect Chris Knapp Our time in Huehuetenango was drawing to a close. Tomorrow, Friday, we begin our trip back to Iowa City via Antigua. In preparation of our return and to complete this year’s Iowa MOST mission to Guatemala the medical team had their opportunity to participate in two…
Read MoreReflections from Rotary District 6000 President Elect Chris Knapp When you visit the villages and schools in the highlands of Guatemala, throw out any preconceived notions of what a school should look like or what school supplies and materials are available to the students. You can even throw out the image you may have of…
Read MoreReflections from District 6000 Governor Elect Chris Knapp Sunday was the first day of medical procedures at the hospital for Iowa MOST. The surgeons and nursing staff had an excellent day of surgeries and recoveries. The patients had excellent care from our expert team. Additionally, the dental team was also busy with patients. Their patients often…
Read Morefrom Krasi Hristov, Johnson & Johnson Volunteer Amaly is 9 months old. Yesterday her parents brought her to the hospital with the hope to get help for the congenital deformity of her hand. The family lives more than three hours away and they had to leave their four other children at home due to the…
Read Morefrom Rotary District 6000 Governor-Elect Chris Knapp Today was a full day of surgeries for the MOST team. The surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, nursing and support staff were busy from 8:00 to 4:00 with cleft lip repairs, teeth extractions and other minor surgeries. All of the patients came through their procedures with flying colors and will…
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