A cleft palate is a cleft palate.

But the patients are always different.

They come from different towns with different stories and different faces. And that is why each trip to the same city, Antigua, is different – but just as rewarding as the last.

On August 15, 2009, a Surgicorps team of 47 volunteers (25 on their first mission) from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Florida, Colorado, Utah, Boston, Connecticut and California met in Guatemala for a week-long mission of surgeries and related medical care. Same hospital, same host staff – different patients, different lives to be impacted.

Seven days and 86 surgeries later, the team returned to the United States, and Surgicorps International added 86 names to the list of thousands whose lives have been improved in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia over the past 15 years.

Doctors, nurses, medical students, non-medical volunteers, all working daily in some large or small role to achieve the same goal: an improved life for someone in need. All working daily to feel what one volunteer, 16-year old Aarthi Ramesh, felt after working with her mother, an anesthesiologist, and her father, a general surgeon: “This might have been the best day of my life.”

Following the lead of some well-traveled and trustworthy friends, I made my first foray into this world of “voluntourism,” a week of service at your own expense in a foreign country. Now Bhutan was never on my travel hit parade, but I was jazzed about all the “firsts”: new place, people and challenges and all as part of a “medical” team.

I also was a little unsure of my own ability to do whatever was asked of me and not faint at the sight of – what? Let go, breathe, trust….

Okay, first day, it’s so clearly not about me and won’t ever be. Quick turn around from airport to hotel to hospital. This is the hospital? Yes, dial it down sister, people everywhere, quick introductions, get to work, here’s your job, I can do that, hi Jack…and presto! I’m in the Surgicorps “zone” and it feels great. Real and immediate and astonishing.

Wait, there are dogs in the hallway….

People in need and in pain accepting help from strangers who can turn their lives around. I am humbled and awed by the medical team, all week, non-stop. Short breaks, then who’s next and next and next?

Calm and focused – who are these people?

I share the non-medical jobs with my girlfriends (how lucky!) and a few other wonderful volunteers (lucky again!):

Following and updating the paper trail of patient charts and surgery schedules; helping to prep patients for their procedures – thanks to the translators who helped us here and everywhere, everyday; keeping the children supplied with crayons and coloring book pages; standing by a gurney to keep a patient from rolling off; sometimes fetch and carry and sometimes stand quietly watching and waiting for the next “ask.”

Some people like to be in the operating room but it’s very hot in there and I prefer the very real luxury of moving around.

Big treat – who knew? – doing rounds with Jack in the mornings learning how to have ready and anticipate those things he might need.

I don’t panic, I just do it, no problem…start thinking I’d make a good nurse but besides the math, I realize I’d never pass the “poking people with sharp things” class. Now, where are those crayons?

Thank you Linda and Sheryl for all my quick onsite training!

The luncheon with the royal family was “off the charts” special – a delightful conversation with Her Majesty the “First” Queen Mother revealed that we share the same favorite American Idol contestant!

Loved it! Loved her! We were all tearing up as we left them.

And oh yes, the beauty of the country and its peace-loving inhabitants, their very distinctive architecture and those mountains! Watch any one of a number of good films coming out of Bhutan these days and you will get a taste.

I’ll go back again…with Surgicorps. Maybe to Vietnam with them first….

The very last thing I do want to say and it is such a cliché but it applies:

After the week in Bhutan and my return home, I find I am maintaining feelings of deep gratitude and appreciation for the bounty and love in my own life. The resilience of the human spirit continues to amaze and inspire me through my days….

Thank you for letting me help.

In the midst of all the hard work, Surgicorps Team members had the opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Bhutan. At a local monastery, the team enjoyed a performance of local singers and dancers.

Kimley is a five-year old future basketball star, who entertained Team members with his hoop skills while waiting for his surgery time. Kimley was burned by an open fire, and the scar left him unable to fully extend his left arm. Surgicorps sees many burns from open fires in Bhutan and other developing countries.

After surgery and a splint on his arm, he was still able to charm Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, Queen Mother, when she stopped by for a visit.

Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, Queen Mother, visited Paro Hospital to meet many of Surgicorps’ patients during our Medical Mission Trip to Bhutan in April. She stopped by the bedside and talked with each patient. Her Majesty received a case update from Dr. Demos and Dr. Kim. The Royal Family is greatly loved by the people of Bhutan and many of the patients and family members were overwhelmed by her generosity and kindness.

After visiting with the patients, she hosted tea for the Surgicorps Team and the Paro Hospital staff to thank us for our work and make plans for the 2010 visit.

We first met Tandin Dorji two years ago when he was smiling and racing around Paro Hospital waiting for reconstructive surgery for a new nose. He had been attacked by a bobcat as an infant.

During our April 2009 Medical Mission Trip, Tandin was back to continue his reconstructive surgery. Now seven years old, he is pictured here waiting for his surgery.

During the April 2009 Medical Mission Trip to Bhutan, Surgicorps performed 62 life-change surgeries, a majority of which were for cleft lips.

2-year old Kiran, pictured here in before and after photos, was one of our patients. The team was able to repair his lip, helping him to better take nourishment, and improve his overall quality of life.

This was a great honor for the Surgicorps Team – much like meeting the President of the United States. To add to the excitement, team members donned the traditional clothing of a gho for the men and a kira for the women. After a week of scrubs, it was fun to see everyone dressed-up. After meeting the Royal Family, we better understand why they are so well loved by their people, and we were impressed by their graciousness.

Also attending the luncheon was Lyonpo Zangley Drukpa, the Minister for Health and Dr. Gado Tshering, Secretary, Ministry of Health.

The unique geography and difficulty for travel within this country prevent many Bhutanese from obtaining much needed health care.  Patients and their families will often walk for days to see the medical team.  We evaluate patients with a wide range of medical conditions that are common in developing countries, including cleft lips and palates, severe burns from open fires, and a variety of other problems resulting from trauma, including animal mauling.  

This is Surgicorps’ third trip to Bhutan – we’ve gained the respect and trust of the Bhutanese people and medical community, and we once again look forward to improving the delivery of health care services in a unique surgical setting.