Should We Call Him Dr. Scott?

One of the softer spoken members of our club is also the prestigious holder of a PHD in chemical engineering from U.C. Berkeley and a Post Doctoral degree from Max Planck University in Frankfurt, Germany. Scott’s responsibility on this trip is the “Sterilizer” – meaning, his goal is to have instruments ready, clean, and available for each surgeon when needed.

After obtaining this prestigious level of education, Scott Wheelwright joined Abbott Labs and was instrumental in the development of a diagnostic test for AIDS. When six pharmaceutical companies were supplied with a vial of the AIDS virus on the same day, Scott savored the competition. He and his team worked tirelessly for two years and their dedication paid off, resulting in not only an effective test for AIDS but also the founding of a multi-million dollar publicly traded company.

These successes would eventually allow Scott to resign from Abbott Labs and start his own pharmaceutical company and spends much of his time as a consultant advising other companies with FDA compliance.

While his work is important, Scott readily admits he does it for his six children and the love of his life, Jenette. Having four kids in college and two more on the way is a great motivator. He is also very involved in the Saratoga Church of Latter Day Saints.

Guatemala 2008 is Scott’s first Rotaplast mission but it won’t be his last. He has been attempting to go on a Rotaplast mission for several years and jumped at the chance to go when the mission was announced. He approaches his assignment in Guatemala with the same dedication he applied to all of his commitments and is finding it just as rewarding.

One interesting fact about Scott is his amazing memory. He can recite poems for at least an hour. He knows every hymn in the book. And, he can do math calculations in his head…on the spot! He works hard...see?

(Mostly) Goofy Pictures

Here are some pictorial highlights from our trip...highlighting some other members of our medical staff, as well as some of the goofiest people here!

Our medical director, Dr. Ron Gemberling...in trouble with the guatemalan police...










Our medical records director, Jitka Cymbal, doing her job!










Team pediatricians, Dr. Linda Getz - Kleiman & Dr. Marco Baisch




Our mission director, Rosa Maria Joyce, and assistant director, Debby Rice...you can definitely tell who is in charge!




I´ll post more tomorrow. The computer here is being VERY SLOW...and 5:30am comes early!

The Life of an OR Nurse

Jeff Laird, an OR nurse with 30 years experience, hails from Philadelphia, PA. He is on his first Rotaplast trip. He came on the trip because a member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, they practice “stewardship,” or giving back of your time and talents. He was encouraged by co-workers to join a Rotaplast trip. Though not a Rotary member, he is very impressed with how we have come together as a team, so quickly and efficiently. His reaction to this trip is that it is “unbelieveable.” He has also found the people of Guatemala to be very warm.

His interests include playing bass guitar – in fact, he played at the funeral of the famous Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Tug McGraw. He also attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and his specialty is baking – which he describes as a “science.” He is the only person we know who has driven a truck 145 mph on a NASCAR race course.

As an OR nurse, he is responsible for all the supplies for each surgery he is involved with, works with the anesthesiologist to put the patient to sleep, and gives instruments to the scrub tech or the surgeon.

He will celebrate his 54^th birthday tomorrow with us!

“He’s not heavy, he’s my brother”

Amilcar and Selvido are brothers who will forever be connected. Sixteen years ago Amilcar was born with a severe cleft lip. He traveled here with his brother Selvido for 8 ½ hours on 4 different buses, leaving at 2:30AM to get to Guatemala City. Because another sibling had died during an operation for a similar deformity Amilcar’s mother refused the surgery, as she was too afraid to risk the loss of another child. Selvido, being the older brother and seeing the suffering Amilcar had to endure decided he had to go against his mother’s wishes.

Amilcar is one of 11 children in his family. Not one of them can read or write, or have had a day of education. His father was shot and killed one year ago by his neighbor. Selvido and another brother are the only monetary support for the entire family. Now in the home there are four brothers and two sisters, and 3 of the sisters have abandoned the family. Amilcar does not work or go to school. He spends his day gathering wood on his bike. Selvido earns $130 for two weeks of work, and the trip to Guatemala City cost $490 for the two of them. Besides the cost of the trip Selvido had to challenge his mother and face her anger in order to make the trip. Neither he, nor his mother, will ever regret his decision.

Selvido has always been concerned about his brother. Amilcar is the only one in the village of 600 with a cleft lip. Amilcar has never left his town in 16 years. Because of the cleft lip, he would never look someone in the eye, lowering his head every time someone would come near him. Not wanting to face the taunting of other children he refused to go to school. Loving his brother as much as he does Selvido always wanted to do something for him. This week he did.

After 16 years, surgery lasting about an hour has now created a new person. Amilcar can walk into a room without shame for his looks. His brother is thankful. He says, “Thanks to God, the doctors arrived. Without this opportunity, we would have had no other.” Selvido is the kind of person who will continue his support of his brother as Amilcar tries to improve his life, but more importantly he is the kind of person we should all aspire to be.

Amilcar now can look people in the eyes, and he can say, “I’m like you now.”

Another Perspective

Rotaplast missions, like life, become whatever you make of them. I came to Guatemala for adventure, and to help people. This trip has evolved into so much more.

The medical people who have accompanied us are such compassionate, dedicated individuals. They give up two weeks of their precious time to help children and families they will never see again. All in the hopes of making the world a better place. Most have done these missions many, many times. Doctors, nurses, speech pathologist, and dentists use their combined talents to fix what fate and environment have created. They are the type of people you hope your children become. To give, and ask nothing in return, is how this world is supposed to work.

To give a child a normal life is a beautiful thing. The parents, who somehow know the possibilities we provide, have come from far away. They have no way to pay for these operations, and most never will. They smile at us, even though deep inside they are frightened. Small people, mostly under nourished and uneducated, who place their trust in the doctors from the United States. It is a big responsibility, and a special privilege to be able to help them.

We will come away from this trip changed. We have learned a lot about each other, the people we are helping, and the people helping us make this possible. As we step through this journey, doors open. New people appear, and they are wonderful. What we are doing here seems trivial to us, but it is a god send to the people we serve. The new friends we have each made will be remembered a lifetime. I will miss them.

I hope God will give me the strength, and the opportunity, to do this again. What started out as an obligation has turned into an adventure. I have laughed; I have cried; I have worked hard, and I have enjoyed myself immensely. While I miss my family, I would not trade this experience for anything. Thank you to everyone on our team for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful experience.

Paul

A Girl...Remembered

Josephine Peña comes from a remote village, seven hours away. Bringing his daughter for surgery was the first time the father has left his village in seven years. The father’s only earnings come for 3 months out of the year, when he plants and picks coffee. The rest of the year he grows pinto beans and corn on a lot smaller than the size of the room we were in. To complicate matters further, the mother of the children left the family, leaving the father with 3 kids to take care of on his own.

The father and daughter were accompanied by the local priest, who had spent the last year and a half trying to get them help. As he told the story, the priest broke down in tears. He cried because there are no resources available to help, and he loves the people he works with. He describes his mission as “trying to help those who have been ‘forgotten’” – like Josephine.

The first time the priest came to Josephine’s house, she hid from him. We then learned that she had not been out of the house for the first four years of her life because of the way she looked. Josephine has refused to go to school and be in first grade because the kids would make fun of her.

Today Josephine comes here to repair the cleft in her lip. Today her life changes.

Profile of a Plastic Surgeon

Sibrand Schepel, M.D., is a Rotaplast veteran. He has been on 6 trips with Rotaplast, and 10 trips with Interplast, which is another cleft lip and palate mission group. This year alone, he has already completed 5 missions. In the last few years, he has traveled to Pakistan, Guatemala (twice), Ecuador, India, Tasmania, and returned from Brazil 3 weeks ago. He hails from the Netherlands! (We bet you got that from the drawing...)

He is a retired plastic surgeon with many other hobbies, including having a pilot’s license since age 14, sailing, vacationing in Northern Finland, and hiking. You can always find Sib reading his book between surgeries...he´s an avid reader as well! Sib told us a great story about how he took his family (wife and 2 children) on a whirlwind vacation around the United States, traveling over 35,000km in a VW camper. They saw 25 states in all.

Sib says that he’s “never done anything more rewarding in his life than cleft lip surgery.” He recalls one surgery on a 65-year-old man…when his wife first saw this man after surgery, she fainted with joy. Sib says that in 1-2 hours he can completely change someone’s appearance…and with a young child, change their life in the process. He hopes to be able to continue these missions for many years.

Sib, or “Dr. Holland” as Debby Rice (the assistant mission director) calls him, also loves to have some fun. Here are some pictures of his other talent…besides plastic surgery!

Observations by the Guatemalan chief surgical nurse

Miriam de García, is the chief surgical nurse here at the Military Hospital. She has a staff of 22 who has been assisting our surgeons and nurses in the operating room. She had some kind things to say about our mission here these 11 days. She has experienced 3 other groups similar to ours. She noted that our group in particular seems to cooperate and work together in a manner that she thinks is exceptional. She admires the fact that we as individuals have different skill sets and different life experiences – but are able to come together to accomplish our mission. Miriam has seen a lot of fear among the patients and their parents, but the way we have responded to it breaks the tension. She feels there is a lot of respect between the doctors and the non-medical staff. She has appreciated the sense of humor we share with each other. She said, “We get down to business – it is a well orchestrated process from beginning to end.” She particularly respects the fact that the doctors treat the Guatemalan nurses with dignity. She said, “There is no difference in status among you, and the respect you have with each other is shared with the patients and families as well.”

“Please keep coming.”

EVELYN’S STORY: “Do I Look Pretty?”

Evelyn is a beautiful 3 year old who was here 2 years ago for lip surgery. She returns today for a complicated surgery – her premaxilla (the front part of her gum) has protruded through her lip, and she has a tooth growing there. She also needs her palate repaired. We asked her mother how Evelyn felt about her face and her appearance – “I feel bad, people stare at me.” She asks her mom, “Why was I born like this and other kids weren’t?” “Do I look pretty?” “I want my lips to look like my brother’s.” Her mom told her that her lips would look like her brother’s… “when the American doctors come.”

Evelyn’s mother gave us a little background on her own life. She was only able to go to school for 3 years as her father died when she was 2. Her own mother couldn’t pay for her school supplies, so she had to quit school and clean houses once she turned 10 years old. Evelyn’s mother didn’t go to the doctor for the first 5 months of her pregnancy and therefore knows now that she should have been taking folic acid from the beginning.

While Phil was talking to the mother, the translator – a general practitioner – told him that she has never seen a lip surgery done in a national hospital for the past 4 years – and the poor cannot afford medical care from a private hospital. Evelyn’s mother ended the interview by saying, “please keep helping us poor people.”

What DOES the speech pathologist do on this trip?

I’m Kerry, the speech pathologist on this trip. Several people have asked me exactly what my job entails…and I’m here to tell you! I’m taking a quick break today between doing rounds this morning with the surgeons (asking the moms how their babies are feeding), making “no-no’s” (the arm boards that the babies / kids wear after surgery so they don’t put their fingers in their mouths), and then making “feeding rounds” in the afternoon (visiting each of the parents and helping them feed their babies for the first time).

One of my main responsibilities is making sure that the parents know how to feed their babies after surgery. When the babies have a cleft lip surgery, the parents need to be careful about keeping the surgery site safe – no rubbing against their clothes, no excessive cleaning, no fingers touching – so that way it has a chance to heal safely and securely. These babies can go back to the bottle or breastfeeding pretty quickly after surgery. The babies with a palate surgery (roof of the mouth) are not allowed to put ANYTHING in their mouth – no bottle, no spoon, no fingers…you get the picture. This surgery leaves the palate VERY fragile, and we want to prevent it from re-opening up – so the kids aren’t allowed to put any pressure (for example, from sucking from a bottle or a straw) on the surgery site. We tell the parents, “three days – liquid only, the next three weeks, pureed/blended/cooked food.” We encourage the parents have them drink water to wash out their mouth. The surgeons do the tough work…and I’m there to protect it – that’s the way I see it!

Because I am a speech pathologist, I evaluate their speech production skills when the kids come through the pre-op clinic, the post-op clinic, and all the clinics in-between. When the palate is open, the mouth is not separated from the nose – so when the kids talk, all the sounds are nasalized (turned into ‘m’ and ‘n’). The kids are not able to make sounds like /p/, /t/, /k/, and /s/. AFTER the palate surgery, we hope that they can make these sounds – so I help the parents teach their children how to do this. It’s wonderful to be able to interact with the kids in this way, and to encourage and empower the parents to help their children after this life-changing surgery. There are very few speech pathologists available here…so my job rests on the parents once they go home.

During feeding rounds one day, I noticed an inspiring thought coming from several parents - “from this day forward, things are going to be different.” It brought tears to my eyes when we realized how the lives of these children are so tough – unable to talk correctly, with kids making fun of them, and teachers not allowing them to come to school. One parent told us that she was grateful that so many other children were going to be helped just like hers. I feel so lucky that I get to spend this time with the parents, answering questions, and with any luck, imparting hope that their children’s life WILL be different…in many ways.

One last side note – the amount of learning that is going on here is AMAZING. Everyone is having the opportunity to learn from each other – I have been able to scrub in and assist on surgeries (cutting sutures, suctioning) – the surgeons are very patient and so willing to explain everything that they do. The translators are able to learn all the feeding precautions and can deliver the news quickly and efficiently. I’ve learned what’s most important immediately in the post-op period – Airway, Breathing, Circulation…it’s an environment that I’m sure is unique to trips like this. Every day is a new experience.

Here are some pictures from feeding rounds…

We are skilled professionals

Day 8

Ladies from the Rotary Club on Wells, Maine have made quilts for each of the kids.

Mark and Ron W. are the hit of the hospital with their transport team hats!

Day 8 – a new author


It's not too much of a surprise when you are working with lots of kids and their parents in less than pristine conditions, that a few of the sturdy go down (even kicking and screaming). That’s what happened to Ron Whitcanack and me (Debby). We were told in no uncertain terms to stay in bed. I don’t do that particularly well, so I am giving Phil Young a break and assuming blog writing today. But I hate to miss out on what is going on at the hospital.

I thought I’d give you my opinion of our mission so far. It’s been absolutely wonderful. You would all be so very proud of our team and your fellow Rotarians, who are working tirelessly, cheerfully and cooperately. I haven’t heard anyone complain, rather they all ask “what can I do now?” There is a lot to be done, and they roll up their sleeves and do it.
The comaraderie among all 28 of us is terrific. There is a lot of tragedy and sadness in the stories of our young patients and their families, so a little humor helps. And there is plenty of that on this trip.

Except for Dr. G., the rest of us Saratoga Rotarians are on the non-medical side of the team, and we have 17 doctors and nurses who’ve never met us. The medicals work so hard and efficiently and have quickly earned our respect, admiration and friendship. Some have told me that this is the best mission they’ve been on. It certainly is mine.

We have struck up some friendships with the local Rotarians and have invited them to come visit Saratoga. We’ll keep you posted on the dates and hope you will extend to them a firm hand of friendship.

All is well, very well. Once again, thank you all for your contributions, support and kind words.

Debby

Day 7

Bella is doing a superwoman's job of translating for us. We would be lost without her. She speaks fluent Spanish, is tireless and so kind to the parents and kids. Everyone loves her. Wait until you see the "after" shots of this little boy. (to come)

DAY 7… A SECOND CHANCE FOR ALVARO
Today 15 surgeries are scheduled and we are one half way toward our goal of changing 110 kids' lives by week’s end. We have selected one child to tell you about today. His surgery was performed by our own Ron Gemberling, assisted by our own Julie Herndon.

Alvaro Garcia Chinchilla is one and a half years old, very cute, happy and in serious need of surgery. His mother, Rose Marie, is 27, married for 7 years. Neither she nor her husband have any education whatsoever. They, like many others, heard of the Rotary program through TV. Because of a lack of money they never would have been able to afford help for Alvaro. Rose Marie says: “The baby is in your hands…God give you strength and support for the work you do….People won’t laugh at him anymore…I know the scar will be minimum because these surgeons are excellent in their work.”

We are doing our best, while keeping our priority on the kids, to send photos and short stories about the kids those of you who donated to our Norm Damico Challenge sponsored and will be giving them a whole new life.

This whole experience is very emotional, so a little levity goes a long way.

Day 6

Two of today’s surgeries are Salumita Ramirez, sponsored by Rene Accornero, and Marta Saquim Law sponsored by Jim LeBlanc.

Sulamita’s parents are 27 and 26, they have 6 children and had to travel 7 hours by bus to get to the hospital. Neither has any education; they can’t read or write. Dad can spell his own name. He works in the fields and earns $4 to $5 dollars a day, but not every day. Sulamita had lip surgery last year and is here again for palate surgery. Her mother notes that when Sulamita eats now food will come out of her nose. She can only say a few words and “grunts” a lot which causes her to become frustrated. Dad starts to tell us how hard he has worked to try to save money for Sulamita’s care, but he has been unable to save anything. He starts to cry, and wants Rotary to know how grateful he is. Otherwise his daughter would go through life like she is now. We have “assigned” Sulamita’s case to the contribution of Rene; if you could be here they wanted to embrace you in thanks.

Marta, age 17 months, is having a difficult surgery involving both the lip and palate by Dr. De Shazo. This case is unusual in that the family has only one child, the mother graduated from high school, and the father has a full time job. Despite this they could never have afforded Marta’s medical care. Marta has the same problem as Sulamita…when she eats food it comes out of her nose. When we explained that a Jim LeBlanc had contributed to the expenses the mother said "thank you because you have changed our daughter’s life."

Day 5 - Antigua

Today we visited one of the more beautiful colonial cities in the world. It has cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and flowers everywhere. The weather is so good here that roses bloom all year…the nickname is City of Perpetual Roses.

The covered markets are enormous, absolutely packed with hundreds of vendors with every variety of fruit, vegetable, and cloth. Brilliant color is the theme of Antigua. If you are a photographer this is your city.

Since this is Sunday, the churches are filled to capacity, the streets alive with families, and there is laughter and energy everywhere. We wish we had much more time here. Phil is lost, and we can’t find him!

The Guatemala club members met us in Antigua and welcomed us with great enthusiasm and friendship. We were invited to a Rotarian’s home, a former ambassador to Spain and Japan in town for lunch. This house should be in Architectural Digest. The meal ends with not one, but three desserts.

We toured a 1000 acre coffee plantation followed by coffee at one of the most beautiful hotels we have ever seen, located on the property. Finally, we visited a jade shop to take care of our spouses. Guilt is a great motivator!

This is a city that is definitely worth seeing for more than one day.

Day 4 - Emotional Day

Today was one in which most of us were in tears at one time or another. It is very difficult to hear the stories of these impoverished people, look into the face of their children, and not to be deeply touched. It is one thing to intellectually be aware of our many advantages, and another to experience it face to face.

One unexpected benefit of this trip is the opportunity to watch, at very close range, the surgeries in progress. We continually shake our heads in wonderment. These doctors are artists. Ron Gemberling should be canonized. We are a great team and Ron is our quarterback. He would be the first to acknowledge that this work cannot be done alone and his support staff is vital.

Look at the pictures below…they include scenes in surgery and pictures of a father, in the recovery room, looking at his son for the first time without a cleft lip. We will not forget this experience. His face tells us all we need to know about why we do this.

We are fortunate to have great translators, two who are students home for the summer from Arizona State, Manuel & Daniel. A mother of a 6 month old became faint in the recovery room while holding her child who had just come from the OR with a cleft palate repair. Manuel was holding the baby and started to cry. Dad came in and also began to cry with happiness. The nurses cried next.

Day Three

50 MINUTES TO CHANGE A LIFE
Our story today is about Julia Gonzales Lopez, age 33, and her son Inocente, 4 months, and her 8 year old son Jose. All of her clothes were stolen on their journey from Mexico City, many many days away. They arrived with the clothes on their back. Inocente was scheduled for surgery Friday. Julia has 8 children, from 18 years old to 4 months. The father of her children died one year ago. Her job is making tortillas and she works from 3AM to 3PM, and makes about 200 dollars per month. They all live in a one room house with no indoor kitchen or bath. She has no education. As a child she was the only girl, and youngest child, in a family of 15. At age 11 she ran away from home because of beatings by her father. At 14 she became pregnant; her partner was 35. They never married. “I didn’t love my husband but wanted to get away from home and my father."

We asked her how the other neighbor children respond to Inocente’s cleft lip. They call him a “monster" and “ugly." In Mexico people suggested she simply sell him…apparently children can be bought for $1,000. She says, “It doesn’t matter, I love my kids, my religion supports me, I am both mother and father to them, you have to fight for what you want."

Her 8 year old, Jose is still in the first grade and had never written his name before. As Inocente was getting ready for surgery, we showed Jose, with crayons, how to write his name. We encouraged him and HE DID IT! There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. This one experience was worth the whole trip. Julia could be a bitter or angry woman. I don’t think we have ever met a more positive and upbeat person. She is a miracle. “Nothing gets me down," she said. There is much to learn from Julia.

PS: After approximately a 50 minute surgery, Inocente came out without a cleft lip. His mother and the rest of us were in tears again, and are nearing that spot as we write this. In less than an hour the doctors changed this boy’s life. It is hard to put into words how significant sharing this experience was.

Day Two Photo

This is just one of our kids, and the first photo Phil and Debby have figured out how to post...please enjoy, it´s taken us hours to do this.

Day Two

Day 2 – Clinic Day
Today is the clinic… Families arrive, hopeful parents and their children. They are interviewed by a team. Each child is seen by a nurse and vital signs taken; then a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a pediatrician. Three hundred children were initially seen, and this was immediately reduced to 261. They were assigned a red, blue or green symbol indicating their suitability for surgery. Only green were taken. It was difficult having to turn down so many. Most had traveled hundreds of miles, many over several days, all in the hope of changing their childrens' lives. Despite the long waits, there was very little crying by the kids and everyone was VERY patient. Given their resources, this was probably their one chance to have their child’s life changed.

This story is best told by the pictures that follow.

Day One in Guatemala City

We meet at 7:30 in the San Francisco airport. Paul Conrado has beat us there with a mountain of boxes of medical and other supplies needed for the journey. Ron Gemberling shows great class by offering champagne and orange juice. The mood brightens immediately. Deb Rice gratefully receives a shoulder rub and her mood does likewise. This promises to be a wonderful trip.

The level of expertise and commitment of the medical volunteers is impressive. Some have been on numerous trips; one person on 17 of them. Many are on the teaching staffs of major hospitals. It is frankly a privilege for the Saratoga Rotary to be in partnership with them.

Three hours later we arrive in Dallas and enjoy a Texas Barbecue to sustain us for the next leg.
In the airport we meet a woman from a group SAFE PASSAGE, Emily Wolfe, whose mission is to help feed and educate children who make their meager living by searching through the city dump; another inspiring story.

I asked one of our doctors, Bill Feaster, what motivates him to continue his many trips, now 6. “I have the opportunity to change a life, and if we didn't no one else would. It is a transforming experience. I have been given much and I want to give back. You cannot do this trip and come back the same person."

We finally arrive in Guatemala, to a police escort no less, in a bus that was clearly on its last leg. Bella Maloney poses with the local law and we all fall into bed.

Special Thanks!

New Zealand Auction
Bev and Bill Tubbs
.
Gervais Sunday Sampler
Vanessa Nyugen
.
Scare A Thon Sponsors
Carol Burnett
Paul Conrado
Carol Mauldin
Los Gatos Theater
.
Norm D’Amico Challenge
Norm D’Amico
Rene Acconero
Bob Araldi
Moe Baniani
Ann Marie Burger
Bob Catalano
Paul Conrado
Pat and Jack Christensen
Ian Geddes
Wil Houde
Ted Jenkel
Jim LeBlanc
Connie Palladino
Russ and Sue Perry
Mark Pierce
Ed Porter
Evan Rohrbough
Helen Shaw
Tom and Diane Stoiber
Phil Young
.
Good Neighbors:
Jennifer and John Lambert
Cilker Orchards
Bonita and Mark Thompson
Lisa and John Kohler
Ann Marie and Bo Mix
Cindy and Hud Staffield
.
Rotaplast Team Members:
Mark Pierce
Paul Conrado
Phil Young
Scott Wheelwright
Bill Giannini
Ron Whitcanack
Ron Gemberling
Julie Herndon
Dave Eshleman
Jitka Cymbal
Bruce Hodgin
Debby Rice
Bella Mahoney
Volunteers who gave time, goods and talent!
Gervais Sunday Sampler Volunteers
Mary Ellen Comport
Reiko Iwanaga
All who attended!
.
New Zealand Auction
Jack Garrett
Wil Houde
.
DDF Matching Grant
Jitka Cymbal
Jim Oggerino
Jim LeBlanc
Ian Geddes
Cupertino
Fremont Sunrise Rotary Club
Sunnyvale Rotary
Sunnyvale Sunrise Rotary
Los Altos Sunset Rotary
Los Gatos Morning Rotary
San Jose West Rotary
.
Scare A Thon Volunteers
Ann and Dan Floyd
Doug and Ed Forbes
Jack and Pat Christensen
Laura Perkins
Ron and Adrienne Gemberling
Reiko Iwanaga
Paul Conrado
Ian Geddes
Ted Jenkel
Julie Herndon
Bill Tubbs
Larry Grace
Bob and Teresa Catalano
Liza Jastrow
Dave Eshleman
Lillian Barna
Nann Miller
Phil Hartley
Shamala Kanchan
All Who Attended and Bought Tickets!
.
Accounting
Judson Mitchell
________________________
Thank you all for supporting our
Rotaplast Mission to Guatemala honoring Dr. Ronald G. Gemberling

You have all helped to change the lives of children in need.

If we have omitted anyone, we apologize. Please notify Debby Rice.

Map of Guatemala

View Larger Map

The Team

Medical Volunteers
-

Medical Director - Dr. Ron Gemberling

Surgeon - Dr. Bill D. Shazo

Surgeon - Dr. Sibrand Schepel

Surgeon - Dr. Milton Solis

Anesthesiologist - Dr. John Brownrigg

Anesthesiologist - Dr. Mary Clemency

Anesthesiologist - Dr. William Feaster

Anesthesiologist Resident - Dr. Jodi Sherman

Lean Pediatrician - Dr. Marco Baisch

Pediatrician - Dr. Linda Getz-Kleiman

Head Nurse - Carol Hager RN

OR Nurse - Maureen Cox RN

OR Nurse - Lewis Laird RN

OR Nurse - Tracey Ryersee-Rocha RN

PACU Nurse - Lorina Gerodias RN

PACU Nurse - Marilyn Perkins

Dentist - Kim Schilling DDS

Speech Pathologist - Kerry Mandulak

-

Non-Medical Volunteers

-

Mission Director - Rose Marie Guerena Joyce

Asst. Mission Director - Deborah Coburn Rice

Quartermaster - Paul Conrado

Patient Transfer Coordinator - Mark Pierce

Patient Transfer Coordinator - Ron Whitcanack

Photojournalist - Philip Young

Photojournalist Asst. - Ryan Heaton

Sterilizer - Scott Wheelwright

Recreation Therapist - Bruce Hodgin

Med. Records Keeper - Jitka Cymbal

PACU Assistant - Julie Herndon DDS

Translator - Bella Mahone

The Mission

Welcome!! A team of twenty-eight medical professionals and non-medical volunteers will bring their talents, education, experience and energy to Guatemala from May 14th through May 25th for free reconstructive cleft lip and cleft palate operations. These will be provided for children in need. This trip is sponsored by Rotarians from Saratoga, California.

Dr. Milton Solis is our host plastic surgeon. Dr. Francisco Javier, past president of the Guatemala de Asuncion Club is our on site coordinator. The President of Club Rotario La Asuncion is Victor Gabriel Ortiz Murga. They are working hard to get as many children as they can to come to the clinic.

It is of interest to note that our medical team is made up of specialists from various parts of the world. These include The Netherlands, Guatemala, Virginia, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, North Carolina, and of course California.

This website tracks the trip on a day-by-day basis. To learn more about the work done by Rotaplast International, visit http://www.rotaplast.org/.