Operation Restore Hope: Cebu, Philippines
David J. Crockett, MD Resident Physician at the University of Utah Throughout my life I have enjoyed assisting and serving those less fortunate. I have also felt an obligation to use the skills I have learned to benefit others. One of my mentors at the University of Utah, Harlan R. Muntz, MD, has worked closely with and participated in multiple humanitarian missions with an organization titled Operation Restore Hope (ORH). Since 1992, ORH has been dedicated to the management and care of underprivileged children with cleft lip and palate deformities in the Philippines. In February, I had the opportunity to assist ORH by participating in a humanitarian trip to Cebu, Philippines. The team consisted of surgeons from the United States, including Dr. Muntz, Robin A. Dyleski, MD, Craig W. Senders, MD, and Shane A. Zim, MD. Anesthesiogists, nurses, and medical assistants from Australia also donated their expertise. Finally, many local nurses, students, and other volunteers also participated in the care of the patients. The Rotary Club of Cebu helped organize the trip in conjunction with ORH. The Rotary Club was an amazing host and without their local participation such a trip would have been difficult. A Seventh-Day Adventist hospital (H.W. Miller Hospital) volunteered two rudimentary operating rooms. Two operating beds were placed in each room in order to perform four cases simultaneously. An old gymnasium was turned into a recovery room using cots, and student nurses assisted the patients. Our weeklong trip involved the assessment, medical and surgical management, and post-operative care of children with cleft deformities. All patients originated from poor socioeconomic circumstances. The need for cleft surgery is greater than I imagined in this region of the world. The turnout of patients and families desiring treatment was overwhelming. In the end, we were able to complete 85 cleft surgeries. This mission trip was not a sacrifice, but an inspiring, rewarding, and defining experience. The capability of these children to enjoy life and have fun in spite of their deformity was inspiring. The overpowering gratitude expressed by the parents and families after the surgeries was extremely rewarding. The experience to refine my skills by collaborating and working with proficient medical caretakers, who have a strong desire to serve those less privileged, has motivated me to continue with further humanitarian efforts throughout my life. On the last day, we performed a cleft lip repair on a 10-year-old girl. The change in her countenance, when we saw her on rounds after surgery, confirmed my conviction of how important these mission efforts are to the people that they treat. I only wish that she could have had such a surgery much earlier in her life. I highly recommend taking advantage of any opportunity to perform humanitarian service. The satisfaction you will receive by making such a large impact on a person, who is unable to compensate you, will be extremely satisfying and gratifying. I would like to thank my supervising physician, Dr. Muntz, for the invitation to participate in this rewarding humanitarian mission and the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Committee and the Alcon Foundation for sponsoring my trip. To learn more about Operation Restore Hope, visit www.operationrestorehope.org.
David J. Crockett, MD
Resident Physician at the University of Utah
The Rotary Club of Cebu helped organize the trip in conjunction with ORH. The Rotary Club was an amazing host and without their local participation such a trip would have been difficult. A Seventh-Day Adventist hospital (H.W. Miller Hospital) volunteered two rudimentary operating rooms. Two operating beds were placed in each room in order to perform four cases simultaneously. An old gymnasium was turned into a recovery room using cots, and student nurses assisted the patients.
Our weeklong trip involved the assessment, medical and surgical management, and post-operative care of children with cleft deformities. All patients originated from poor socioeconomic circumstances. The need for cleft surgery is greater than I imagined in this region of the world. The turnout of patients and families desiring treatment was overwhelming. In the end, we were able to complete 85 cleft surgeries.
This mission trip was not a sacrifice, but an inspiring, rewarding, and defining experience. The capability of these children to enjoy life and have fun in spite of their deformity was inspiring. The overpowering gratitude expressed by the parents and families after the surgeries was extremely rewarding. The experience to refine my skills by collaborating and working with proficient medical caretakers, who have a strong desire to serve those less privileged, has motivated me to continue with further humanitarian efforts throughout my life. On the last day, we performed a cleft lip repair on a 10-year-old girl. The change in her countenance, when we saw her on rounds after surgery, confirmed my conviction of how important these mission efforts are to the people that they treat. I only wish that she could have had such a surgery much earlier in her life.
I highly recommend taking advantage of any opportunity to perform humanitarian service. The satisfaction you will receive by making such a large impact on a person, who is unable to compensate you, will be extremely satisfying and gratifying. I would like to thank my supervising physician, Dr. Muntz, for the invitation to participate in this rewarding humanitarian mission and the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Committee and the Alcon Foundation for sponsoring my trip. To learn more about Operation Restore Hope, visit www.operationrestorehope.org.