Online Exclusive: Wake Forest Team Serves Patients in Bonao, Dominican Republic
Kristin K. Marcum, MD, and Jordan L. Wallin, MD Serving the people of Bonao, Dominican Republic, by providing free medical care proved to be a highly rewarding adventure, made possible by a close collaboration between Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and HanesBrands, Inc. The Dominican people treat any visitor with kindness, appreciation, and love, but we were fortunate enough to experience an emotional connection that few visitors can. We thank the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Committee and Alcon Foundation for the encouragement and financial support that helped make this trip possible. Our team of 10 medical volunteers and numerous other volunteers, led by J. Dale Browne, MD, otolaryngology department chair, and Adele K. Evans, MD, pediatric otolaryngologist, noted that serving the people of Bonao helped them remember why they went into medicine in the beginning. Our focus shifted from charting and medical documentation to hands-on care for the patient and family, with hugs and tears as the only payment. Our trip to the Hospital Pedro Emilio de Marchena, Bonao, February 15-22, was divided into five primary working days. The first day involved preparation of the operating room, double checking available medications, and assessment of preoperative candidates. The next four days were divided between operating and evaluating new patients in the mobile clinic. We particularly enjoyed working with the local resident physicians led by hospital director, Vicente Castillo, MD, and learning how excellent care can be provided with limited resources. Thanks to the support of HanesBrands and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, we had access to modern, top-of-the-line surgical instruments. Four anesthesia machines were delivered to Bonao, and HanesBrands purchased all needed medications, from intubation medications to postoperative pain and antibiotic coverage. A mobile clinic on the premises provided care to about 60 patients daily, and it served as our preoperative visit to identify children in need of future surgical management.
Kristin K. Marcum, MD, and Jordan L. Wallin, MD
Jordan L. Wallin, MD, in the HanesBrands Mobile Clinic with a beautiful child with severe burns.Serving the people of Bonao, Dominican Republic, by providing free medical care proved to be a highly rewarding adventure, made possible by a close collaboration between Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and HanesBrands, Inc.
The Dominican people treat any visitor with kindness, appreciation, and love, but we were fortunate enough to experience an emotional connection that few visitors can. We thank the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Committee and Alcon Foundation for the encouragement and financial support that helped make this trip possible.
Our team of 10 medical volunteers and numerous other volunteers, led by J. Dale Browne, MD, otolaryngology department chair, and Adele K. Evans, MD, pediatric otolaryngologist, noted that serving the people of Bonao helped them remember why they went into medicine in the beginning. Our focus shifted from charting and medical documentation to hands-on care for the patient and family, with hugs and tears as the only payment.
Our trip to the Hospital Pedro Emilio de Marchena, Bonao, February 15-22, was divided into five primary working days. The first day involved preparation of the operating room, double checking available medications, and assessment of preoperative candidates. The next four days were divided between operating and evaluating new patients in the mobile clinic. We particularly enjoyed working with the local resident physicians led by hospital director, Vicente Castillo, MD, and learning how excellent care can be provided with limited resources.
Thanks to the support of HanesBrands and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, we had access to modern, top-of-the-line surgical instruments. Four anesthesia machines were delivered to Bonao, and HanesBrands purchased all needed medications, from intubation medications to postoperative pain and antibiotic coverage.
A mobile clinic on the premises provided care to about 60 patients daily, and it served as our preoperative visit to identify children in need of future surgical management.
