In less than a week, we are heading back to Moshi and our friends at KCMC. It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year since the last trip, yet it seems so long ago. We are dusting off this blog to record the comings and goings of our experiences. We’ve got a lot of exciting changes for this trip, so let me get you up to date!
- The team – We’ve got a great group assembled for this adventure. Jennifer, ‘Mama Jen”, is joining us for the whole trip. She’ll be in charge of SOAP – which I’ll discuss more soon. She is also the glue of the team – helping our daily lives adjust to the challenges of a different lifestyle. Ginny Casey – pediatric orthopedics – Dr. Casey is joining us for the second year. She has been met with the KCMC residents on zoom several times this year and we hope to have her buys for the time she is in KCMC. Jason Halvorson – orthopedic trauma – Dr. Halvorson brings his expertise and volunteer experience back to KCMC again this year. His lecture on acetabular fractures has become the source of legend at KCMC and will be demanded again. New faces: – Dr Josh Patt – orthopedic oncology/spine – Dr. Patt is a huge new addition bringing his spine expertise and tumor knowledge. These areas are a huge challenge for us and I’m so excited to get to share his skills with KCMC. The biggest question is how much can we cram into his week there? Will we have the patients at the right time? Dr Ani Gowd – chief resident Wake Forest – Dr. Gowd has a special interest in spine. Dr Josef Joltssaint – chief resident Atrium MSKI, Charlotte – Dr Jolissaint has a special interest in joint reconstruction.
- SOAP – I am so excited to see our new charity – Surgeries Overseas Assistance Program – in action at KCMC this year. SOAP was founded this past year to help the teaching surgeons get more FaceTime in the OR with the residents. We hope SOAP’s funds can get more patients into the OR for needed surgeries while we are there to instruct and work with the KCMC program. Jennifer, SOAP’s executive director will maintain a blog on SOAP’s website and operates the business side of this trip. Please check out her experiences at https://www.operationsoap.org
- Housing – SOAP’s primary goal is funding surgeries but it ran a secondary campaign to collect monies to improve the housing for volunteers. Several donors expressed specific interest in this and we were able to coordinate with KCMC a renovation project for B2 – our quarters for the month. We’ve seen some pictures which look incredible but obviously we won’t know for sure until we arrive. B2 had gone years without any significant service and sufffered neglect during the pandemic – last year we struggled with minimal hot water, intermittent water at all, broken windows, leaking roof, and ceiling chunks falling in the night. Improved living conditions should really help the team morale after a tough day on the wards!
- Traveling KCMC “fellowship” – Our friends at Handzania sponsored a KCMC resident’s travel to the USA for a 6 week learning experience. Dr. Shahnoor visited with volunteers in Chicago, Charlotte, and Louisville in December 2023 and January 2024. We hope to make this a recurring educational opportunity for resident at KCMC. Dr. Shahnoor has been hired to stay at KCMC as a staff physician and this could be a game changer as we develop relationships there.
- Implants and instruments – As always, there is a need for additional implants and tools. I am always amazed by how creative the surgeons can be at KCMC, but there is no debating the need for more equipment. The team has gathered donations including a new power system for this trip. I am definitely worried about getting through customs where there can be issues with “taxes and tariffs” Keep your fingers crossed that our hard won equipment makes it to our destination.
