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Surgicorps International provides free surgical and medical care to people in need in developing countries.
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Touching the Beautiful People of Bhutan by Merelise O’Connor; Surgicorps 2017 Volunteer
To spend precious moments over several days talking with the patients and families was deeply enriching for me during my inaugural trip with Surgicorps International. They displayed quiet stoicism and great courage. Their surgical needs were the result of injuries, burns and birth defects that caused speech and hearing problems. Many of these Bhutanese people traveled from villages hours and even 3-4 days on buses to arrive at the Paro Hospital. Of the 52 patients treated by Surgicorps, Sonam, mauled by a bear, burn victim, Kuenden, and bilateral cleft patient, Janyang are typical of the people who are treated.
Surgicorps International-Spotlight on Kazakhstan Team 2017
Surgicorps will embark on the first surgical mission to Astana, Kazakhstan from May 19-May 25, 2017. There are a total of 10 team members including 4 from Pennsylvania and 6 from other states. Surgicorps will partner with the Asyl Bala Foundation in order to provide services at the University Medical Center, affiliate of the National Research Center for Maternal and Child Health in Astana.
Surgicorps International-Spotlight on Bhutan Team 2017
Surgicorps will embark on the 3rd Annual Sarah Pettrone Memorial Trip, which will be our 11th visit to Bhutan from April 22-May 2, 2017. There are a total of 21 talented team members including 10 from Pennsylvania and 11 from other states.
Smiling Eyes By: Joan Pearlstein Dunn, Surgicorps Vietnam 2016 Trip
It’s been three months since our team has returned from Vietnam. As with all of Surgicorps’ trips, it was one filled with joy, and with sorrow. On screening day, the physicians walk into a room bursting with children that have cleft lips and palates, missing ears, and faces distorted from disease. There is never a shortage of dreadful and disfiguring burns; most are due to lack of proper kitchens and dangerous surroundings in rural homes. Performing life-changing surgery on people so desperately in need brings joy to everyone. Occasionally a patient must be turned away because of high risk, or because the hospital lacks the proper facilities necessary to proceed. When the doctors have to turn someone away, for any reason, there is no greater sorrow.
A MOTHER’S FIERCE LOVE…BHUTAN…SURGICORPS 2016
Tshering, a 28 year-old mother, brought two of her three children to the Paro District Hospital, in Bhutan. It was screening day, and they joined the scores of patients crammed into packed hallways, waiting to be evaluated by Surgicorps’ surgeons. Leaving her six-year-old boy Nima behind, Tshering traveled for two days by bus to reach the hospital. Sonam, her five-year-old boy, and Pema, her lively two-year-old girl, were tucked by her side. With Bhutan having no plastic surgeons in the country, patients wait months or years to be treated; many will never be seen.
Congratulations to the raffle winner of the travel package!
Jane Dixon won a week stay at an RCI vacation exchange network and 2 jetBlue tickets. Enjoy your trip and thanks to all who supported the raffle!
Our Annual Report highlights some of the impact and outcomes your support makes possible. We hope you’ll read and share the report with pride….
SPOTLIGHT ON 2016 SURGICORPS VIETNAM TEAM MEMBERS
Surgicorps International is packing for our 13th trip to Vietnam from October 28th-November 8th with 29 medical and non-medical team members. This will be our final trip of 2016.
We will once again partner with Odonto Maxillo Facial Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Our team this year includes: 17 members from Pennsylvania, 2 from Arizona, 2 from Massachusetts, 2 from Minnesota and 1 each from Missouri, California, Texas, New York, Colorado and Maryland.
SPOTLIGHT ON 2016 SURGICORPS ZAMBIA TEAM MEMBERS
Surgicorps is set to leave for our 6th mission trip to Zambia from September 17th-24th with 23 medical and non-medical team members. We look forward to partnering again with Beit CURE International Children’s Hospital in Lusaka. Our team this year includes: 10 members from Pennsylvania, 7 from Massachusetts, 2 from North Carolina, 2 from Nevada, and 1 each from Virginia and Zambia.
FOUND IN TRANSLATION: WHAT I’VE LEARNED AS AN INTERPRETER FOR SURGICORPS BY AMELIA HARE
During my three years as an interpreter for Surgicorps, I’ve heard a lot of things that formal Spanish classes and medical translation textbooks simply didn’t prepare me for: a toddler cursing at me in K’iche’ when I had to restrain him from ripping out his IV,
A MESSAGE FROM LINDA
I have begun my path of transition to retirement. As Surgicorps moves forward, I have moments of great joy and at times much emotion as an observer and a participant. This 2016 trip to Guatemala is special for me and also for our team members here at the Surgicorps’ office.
SPOTLIGHT ON 2016 SURGICORPS GUATEMALA TEAM MEMBERS
Surgicorps is preparing for our 14th trip to Guatemala from August 6th-13th with a team of 33 dedicated medical and non-medical volunteers. Our team this year includes: 14 members from Pennsylvania, 14 from Massachusetts, 2 from Spain and 1 each from Arizona, Colorado and New York.
Looking Back by Scott Pearson
It’s been 11 years since I first heard about Surgicorps. While at the University of Pittsburgh completing my masters degree in Nurse Anesthesia I heard a lecture about volunteer anesthesia by members of Surgicorps. I became interested in volunteering overseas during my initial RN training and after hearing this lecture I knew right away Surgicorps would be the group to get involved with….
Surgicorps Bhutan 2016….Namgay’s Eyes by DeNese Olson
My first impression of 11 year old Namgay was one of remarkable sadness. Dressed in the traditional red robe that monks wear, his tiny frame appeared younger than his years. Surrounded by the noisy pre-op room filled with patients and their families, he seemed nervous while he waited to be evaluated by the Surgicorps doctors.
Thanh’s Dream Comes True by Agnus Berenato
Former University of Pittsburgh Women’s Basketball Coach Agnus Berenato traveled with Surgicorps International to Vietnam in 2015 where she met our patient, Le Thi Thanh, featured in this story. As a non-medical volunteer, Agnus interviewed Thanh and captured the details of her 2 year struggle after a kitchen fire burned her face and neck. Surgicorps returns to Vietnam this fall and, with your continued support, anticipates a follow up visit with Thanh.
In Thanh’s words…
One of my favorite things to do is cook. I was in the kitchen preparing dinner for my husband and two children. A long day of work at our coffee shop made us hungry for the meal and family time we were about to share. I was stirring a pot of soup and an explosion took place. I did not hear anything or notice anything remiss with my gas stove. It just exploded.
Fire…Noise…Pain…Fear…Commotion…More pain
Spotlight on Surgicorps International Bhutan 2016 team
Surgicorps is preparing to leave for the 2nd Annual Sarah Pettrone Memorial Trip, which will be our 10th visit to Bhutan from April 22-May 3, 2016. Our team members bring a vast amount of talent and resources on each trip to help us change the lives of many. There are a total of 16 team members including 9 from Pennsylvania and 7 from other states.
Teamwork makes the dream work by Agnus Berenato, Surgicorps Vietnam Team Member 2015
When I first met Linda Esposto of Surgicorps International I asked her, “Do you have any need for a Basketball Coach?” She replied, “We don’t need a Basketball Coach, but we do need good people.” The wheels in my mind began to turn, and my heart began to pump! Knowing nothing about Surgicorps or Vietnam….
Ruth’s Story
Accidents happen, sometimes catastrophic, but most of us are only a car ride away from a hospital or trusted doctor. Someone like Ruth didn’t have those choices – that was until Surgicorps made their 5th trip to Zambia this September.
Spotlight on 2015 Surgicorps Vietnam team members
Surgicorps is preparing to embark on our 12th medical mission to Vietnam from October 30th-November 10th with 21 medical and non-medical team members. This will be our final trip of 2015. We will once again partner with Odonto Maxillo Facial Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Reflections on Surgicorps Zambia 2015 by Joan Pearlstein Dunn
The air is hot and thick in the makeshift waiting room at Beit CURE Hospital of Zambia, a pediatric teaching hospital specializing in the treatment and care of children living with physical disabilities. There is standing room only in a crowded area where mothers wait with patience for their children to be taken to the OR for surgery. Some have walked great distances with their babies strapped to their backs while others have traveled hundreds of miles by bus.
Surgicorps volunteer Betty Hearne shares her experiences…..
As I am packing for my fourth trip with Surgicorps, people often comment “Oh, you are such a good person!!” I’m thrilled that’s what they think, but the truth is I’m really not that good. I do it because it makes me incredibly happy. I have so much fun I just can’t stay home.
Spotlight on 2015 Surgicorps 2015 Zambia Team Members
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller
Surgicorps is set to leave for our 5th mission trip to Zambia from September 12th-19th with 21 medical and non-medical team members. These words by Helen Keller are lived by each team member who gives so much to make each trip a success.
Reconnecting With Guatemala Through Surgicorps International by Kyle Amsler
I was sitting in class when my professor first mentioned her trips to Guatemala with Surgicorps International, and I instantly knew I had to go. I served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala from 2011-2013, where I worked in rural elementary schools, lived with a host family, and became part of a close-knit community.
Father-Daughter Guatemala Team Members…..by Sangeetha Ramakrishna
As a child, I often fantasized about what I would be when I grew up: a famous actress, a percussion player with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the President of the United States.
SPOTLIGHT ON 2015 GUATEMALA TEAM MEMBERS
We are preparing for our 13th trip to Guatemala from August 8th-15th with a team of 33 talented, dedicated and amazing medical and non-medical volunteers! Our team this year includes: 17 members from Pennsylvania, 11 from Massachusetts, 2 from Ohio and 1 each from Arizona, Colorado and Canada!
Honduras 2015 by Christine Bowman
It was an honor to be a part of Surgicorps International’s maiden voyage to Hospital de San Lorenzo in Valle, Honduras. San Lorenzo is located 60 miles south and a two hour bus ride from the country’s capital, Tegucigalpa. Our 8 member team became the first Surgical Brigade that the non-profit organization, Global Brigades hosted in Honduras. By partnering with Global Brigades, Surgicorps was able to reach a large number of patients from the rural communities already being served by their public health and mobile medical clinics.
Read Christine’s blog post here…..
Bhutan 2015–Dr. Robert Schemmer provides dermatological services to Bhutanese Monks….
Dr. Robert Schemmer, a dermatologist from Canada , joined our medical team as a first time volunteer to Bhutan recently. He treated monks at the Rinpung Dzong Monastery as well as patients in the clinic. His services were much needed and appreciated by the Bhutanese people. Surgicorps will hopefully incorporate these services into future trips! Thank you to Dr. Schemmer for sharing some of his daily blog posts.
Read Dr. Schemmer’s blog posts here….
Spotlight on Bhutan volunteers 2015
Surgicorps is preparing to leave for its 9th trip to Bhutan from April 25-May 5, 2015! Our uniquely talented team members bring a wide range of skill sets and resources which help ensure each trip is a success. There are a total of 21 team members including 9 from Pittsburgh, PA, 11 from other cities/states and 1 from Canada.
Vietnam 2014 video
Thank you to Danielle Dunn — daughter of Surgicorps volunteer Joanie Dunn — for creating this video from her trip in 2014 to Vietnam!
Uganda-January 2015 by Tara Burns
Recently Surgicorps International celebrated their 20th year anniversary and I just returned home from my 20th mission trip with Surgicorps. As I reflect on this milestone I am compelled to put my thoughts into writing.
It is difficult to find words to describe what Surgicorps means to me. Ten years ago as a college student, I began my journey with Surgicorps. I could never have dreamed or imagined the impact that Surgicorps would have on my life or that I would have the opportunity to travel to eight developing countries to assist in providing medical care to those in need.
Hope Tanzanite Necklace Drawing — December 30, 2014
And the winner is….Zebby Sulecki! For pictures from yesterday’s drawing, click here. All 500 chances were sold for a total of $25,000 to support Surgicorps’ upcoming trips! Thanks to all!Happy New Year!
Vietnam 2014 by Joan Pearlstein Dunn
On October 31st, a group of 18 volunteers would travel almost 10,000 miles to reach Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This was my maiden-voyage with the team, and I joined them as a non-medical volunteer. Although I’d traveled to many faraway places, I would soon learn the difference between traveling, and seeing the world.
Apply Now – Surgicorps Student Scholarship
Are you a student in the medical professions interested in going on a trip with Surgicorps? Click here to see if you are eligible for the Surgicorps Student Scholarship! The scholarship is awarded annually and covers $1,000 of the recipient’s travel costs.
10th Annual “A Night on the Town” presented by W. G. Tomko and Friends will benefit Surgicorps® Intl and Pennsylvania Batten Disease Support
On Friday, October 10, 2014, W.G. Tomko and Friends will host the 10th Annual “A Night on the Town” at the Sheraton Station Square…
Bhutan 2014 – by the numbers It was a record-breaking trip this year. We screened nearly 200 people, completed 65 surgeries, and 170 knee injections. The dental team never stopped. They saw more than 1,200 in the villages and completed many extractions while continuing to share prevention strategies with all.
See before & after photos and read patient stories on our blog
