Ok, firstly, I'm not crazy about posting pictures of myself.  Long story!  Interested in why?   Call me, I'll explain. These photos were taken of me with the kids because of my iPad and iPhone and how these wonderful tools kept them entertained while they were awaiting surgery. The third photo was just too cute, with the little one shaking hands.

I offer my iPhone and iPad to the kids in the pre-op area to offer them some distraction while they are awaiting surgery.  They love playing the guitar, piano and drums on the iPad as well as the funny photos one can take with Photo Booth.  

I've sent a request to Apple to see if they will donate some iPads, but I'm not gonna hold my breath waiting for then to donate.

I'm not a game player, so I don't have games downloaded on my iPad but I need to do it just to give the young ones something else to do.

I also have an app on my iPad called VISIBLE BODY that shows anatomy and is a great teaching tool to explain what is happening in surgery.  Such a wonderful tool to let patients and volunteers know what we are doing.

Education is a large part of our mission.  Our patient population is generally less educated than we are, so any education we can offer is welcome.

                                 September 8-14, 2013

Centro Medico San Benito Jose

Comayagua, Honduras

 

A LIGHT OF THE WORLD CHARITIES team just completed another successful surgical mission to Honduras. 

Once again, LIGHT OF THE WORLD CHARITIES, our donors and benefactors, our dedicated volunteers and our medical professionals who continue to offer their skills and services to those who truly need our help, have proven that WE CAN change lives, one life at a time.

This brigade included: 

Dr. Kyle Loy, ENT Surgeon, from Indiana and his support team of Jodell Sams, RN from  Colorado, Beth Compitello, Surg Tech from Florida and Meg Hanna, CRNA from Indiana. 

Dr. David Barbara General Surgeon,  Donna Batta, RN,  Chloe Harshman, Surg Tech and Dr. Mark Tasch, Anesthesiologist, all from Indiana and Ann Long, RNFA from Florida.

Dr. Michael Lustgarten, Urologist, Mary “Mia” Mitchell, RN,, Louie Terranova, Surg Tech, all from Florida and Maria de Jesus, Nurse Anesthesia from Comayagua, Honduras.

Dr. Antonio Beltran, Urologist,, Mark Brown, RN, Cathy Collins, Surg Tech, all from Florida and Dr. Patrick O’Neil, Anesthesiologist, from Indiana.

Our Pre-op and Recovery Room RNs were Mary Lettieri, Jeanne Teter, Patty Greer and Amy Nagy.

Dr. John Karpinski, Oral Surgeon from Florida and Marina McCusker, Dental Assistant, from Florida provided our dental care.

Dr.David Girlinghouse, DDS and Theresa Banks, RN, CNOR, RNFA joined us as team leaders and Dr. Mary Torchia, Anesthesiologist, from Ohio acted as our lead Anesthesiologist.

Dr. Loy and his team provided tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, and sinus surgeries for 33 patients.

Dr. David Barbara and his team provided much needed gallbladder removals and hernia repairs for 17 patients.

Dr. Michael Lustgarten and his team performed 20 prostate procedures as well as procedures for other urinary issues.

Dr. Antonio Beltran and his team performed 24 prostate procedures and other urinary issues.

Our surgeons provided  surgeries for 49 children who would otherwise not have had surgical corrections available.

Dr. John Karpinski and Marina McCusker  completed  209 dental procedures and 268 examinations and consultations.

In total we provided  379 patients with 330 surgical and dental procedures and 379 surgical and dental consultations.