Category: Lip and Palate Surgeries

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…

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

Dr. Bill Gates (yes his real name!) polishes an obturator for a young cleft patient. Yesterday a group from Iowa MOST took the dental “show” on the road to rural school near Huehuetenango using a song/skit to encourage brushing and oral care. Submitted by Jacque Andrew

These two patients Alan and Kresley touched our hearts! They have both been seen by the Iowa MOST team in previous years. Alan had a palate revision this year following a lip and palate repair in prior years. Kresley’s lip was repaired during this visit and her palate was repaired last year. Such “return visits” are not…

Thanks to Dr. Oscar Marroquin, pediatrician and co-owner of the Salus Hospital de Especialidades, (center) who in effect turns over his facility, including operating rooms, patient rooms and more, to the Iowa MOST team to ensure this necessary care is available. Team pediatricians Dr. Oscar Gomez, left, and Dr. Peter Wallace, both mission veterans provide…

A group of four anesthesiologists Dr. David Swanson, Dr. Melissa Meiners, Dr. Patrick Gore and Dr. Martin Mueller are first in the operating rooms to start the surgical cases. They see that patients are safely asleep, breathing and hydrated while administering appropriate medications during the procedures. Nurses Trudy Wright and BJ Wagner care for the…

Gabriella, a palate patient this year, holds a card featuring a painting for which she was the model in 2013. Pedro Delgado, the artist of the painting, was commissioned by Dr. Oscar Marroquin to create a work representing the Iowa MOST mission. The large original painting of the toddler was presented to medical team leader…

Coloring books and smiles work in every language!   Submitted by Jacque Andrew

Although more than a medical mission, the many surgical procedures, dental and medical care are the heart of the effort. Medical team leader Dr. John Canady, along with Dr. Brian Andrews, Dr. Dan Jorgensen and Dr. Ross Zbar are performing cleft palate and lip repairs and other procedures that change the lives of patients who…