Preparing for the Trip

Global Humanitarian Surgical Missions is something I have been interested in learning more about and was given an opportunity to do so with a surgical team, mostly from Emory Academic Medical Center, led by Dr. Steven Roser, an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon.  I left today, on my way to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.   I've been talking to Dr. Roser about the possibility of volunteering.  I'm not a surgeon, anesthetist or  nurse.  These bare bones missions don't really need many people who don't provide those crucial skills.  I'm here to learn about the gaps and opportunities in the Surgical Ecosystem, all of the systems and processes around the surgery that are critical for ensuring it is successful.  I didn't come up with that term on my own.  It may be credited to multiple individuals, but my learning of that term came from Catherine R. deVries, MS, MD, FACS, FAAP.  Dr. deVries is a urologist by training, a global surgical expert over many years and has put much thought into the challenges with the surgical ecosystem  especially in low and middle income countries.  Dr. Roser initiated a zoom meeting with Dr. deVries and I so I could hear first hand about her thoughts and experiences.  The world is a better place thanks to the efforts of both of these passionate surgeons.  

Today is day one for me and I'm excited to see how this unfolds.  

Knowing what to bring was the first step.  There's nothing like a good list to help you pack.  I created the below google document to capture the various email requests and suggestions.   Logistics are boring (I don't find them boring), but essential.  

 

Photos of the various categories of items:

Documents for Bolivian Visa and other helpful items

Electronics, chargers, paper, pens

Clothes and Shoes

Other necessities

Clothes for the flight

Business clothes (sort of)

Food I like/may want 

Scrubs, covid tests, masks and medications and toys for the kids

Personal hygiene, medications, and first aid

The more interesting logistical/packing item is that the team is carrying much (maybe all) of the surgical supplies they need.  Dr. Roser gave me a bag of surgical supplies which threw off my packing regimen, but I've adjusted.  This is a clear opportunity for the surgical ecosystem and the overall efficiency and sustainability of programs like this.