5/23/2016

NEWSLETTER 2015

 

EARTHWIDE SURGICAL FOUNDATION

2015 Summary

I would like to thank all our generous contributors. It has been approximately 11 years since Earthwide Surgical Foundation was granted 501(C)(3) non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service. I am very happy with our progress towards achieving the Foundation’s goals, namely, to deliver surgical care to the poor of the world by means of manpower, equipment and education. The following are some of the highlights of the past year:

MISSION TRIPS


This year Dr. Camazine increased his time in Nigeria from 3 months to 4 months per year.

1.     On 1/2/15, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 27 day trip, 10 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Acho, Enyinnah, Akunikwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Nkeonye, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. Many nursing, medical and nurse anesthetist students were also present. Over 750 patients were treated and 167 operations performed. All members of the team were Nigerians except Dr. Camazine. This aspect of the trip is quite unique and we were very proud to get such a strong local participation.
2.     On 5/3/15, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 27 day trip, 10 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Acho, Enyinnah, Akunikwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. Many nursing, medical and nurse anesthetist students were also present. Over 750 patients were treated and 156 operations performed. All members of the team were Nigerians except Dr. Camazine. This aspect of the trip is quite unique and we were very proud to get such a strong local participation.
3.     On 7/31/15, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 7 day trip, 9 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Akunikwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Dabs, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. Many nursing, medical and nurse anesthetist students were also present. Over 250 patients were treated and 58 operations performed. All members of the team were Nigerians except Dr. Camazine. This aspect of the trip is quite unique and we were very proud to get such a strong local participation.
4.     On 10/15/15, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 42 day trip, 12 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Acho, Nottidge, Onkeonye, Ifeanyi, Akunikwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. Many nursing, medical and nurse anesthetist students were also present. Over 1000 patients were treated and 200 operations performed. All members of the team were Nigerians except Dr. Camazine. This aspect of the trip is quite unique and we were very proud to get such a strong local participation. Several events were noteworthy during this trip. The new bronchoscope was used on several occasions including removing a fishbone from the trachea of a baby and diagnosing a acquired tracheoesophageal fistula in a 1 year old. Dr. Camazine  performed the first TRAM Flap at NCH to cover a large wound following a radical mastectomy. Teleradiology via Dr. Hopens an Melvin and was used on several occasions to make critical decisions.

PROJECTS

1.     Earthwide, with the assistance of Al Jones, MD, is supporting the Bachelor of Science in Nursing training of Eric Oje.  This advanced training will be completed this year.

2.     Smart Uruakpa, RN, with the assistance of Earthwide, has completed his nurse anesthetist training and is now working at the Nigerian Christian Hospital. He is extremely talented and will make a great assistant to Eric Oje, our current nurse anesthetist.

3.     Dr. Camazine has expanded the teaching opportunities in Nigeria by introducing “Surgical Workshops”. These are hands on teaching opportunities for Nigerian Surgeons and residents. Surgical colleagues from many different parts of Nigeria have been invited to join the team at the Nigerian Christian Hospital and learn from the unique surgical pathology. Physicians from Delta, Benin, Abia, River, Enugu, and Anumbra States have participated.

4.     Dr. Camazine, Eric Oje, RN, and Wilson Anyanwu, RN, have expanded the teaching opportunities in Nigeria by introducing “Anethesia Workshops-Anesthetic Techniques for the Complex and Unusual Patient” These courses provide hands on teaching opportunities for Nigerian anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists and nurse anesthetist students. Eric and Wilson are the best nurse anesthetist in Nigeria!

5.     Dr. Camazine continues his Blog on the work of Earthwide Surgical Foundation. It can be seen at www.earthwidesurgicalfoundation.blogspot.com

6.     Earthwide Surgical Foundation, the Nigerian Christian Hospital and the International Healthcare Foundation are starting a further collaboration with Danny Milner, MD, pathologist at Harvard University/Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Milner has been examining our pathology specimens since 2009. He and his colleagues are interested in doing research on Nigerian breast cancer. Drs. Jombo and Oje will also be involved.

7.     Dr. Milner evaluated NCH for a possible plan for Telepathology, wherein microphotographs of pathology specimens will be emailed to Dr. Milner for readings.

8.     Joy Nwokoma, RN continues the wound clinic we started last year at NCH. She cares for all the leg ulcers, wounds and ostomies.

9.     Eris Oje, Wilson Anyanwu (nurse anesthetists), and Dr. Camazine, have started a pain clinic at NCH.

10.  Charlotte Jacobs, MD, oncologist at Stanford University, has been a great help teleconsulting on our oncology patients.

11.  Charles Branch, MD, neurosurgeon at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, has been a great help teleconsulting on our neurosurgery patients.

12.  John Melvin, MD, radiologist at Henderson Memorial Hospital, has been a great help teleconsulting on radiology issues concerning our patients.

13.  Louis Carter, MD, hand surgeon has been helping with difficult hand problems that come up in Nigeria.

14.  Dr. Mennick, plastic surgeon, has been very helpful in consulting on a difficult nasal tumor.

15.  Dr. Stephen S. Park, plastic surgeon, has been very helpful in consulting on a difficult nasal tumor.

16.  Earthwide and the IHCF (through the generosity of Hank Farrar, MD) purchased a portable dental unit for NCH. This will open up a new specialty area. Dr. Ovie Nyerovwo, will be the NCH consulting dentist.

17.  Earthwide purchased a portable bronchoscope for NCH. This unit will aid in difficult intubations as well as assist in diagnosing nasopharyngeal/tracheal/pulmonary pathology.

18.  The Nigerian Christian Hospital, with the support of Earthwide, has expanded its treatment possibilities by adding consultants in Urology (Dr. Achor), Orthopedic Surgery (Dr. Nottidge), Plastic Surgery (Dr. Akunikwe), and Dentistry (Dr. Nyerovwo). Specialties already present are Pediatric Surgery (Dr. Emem), OBGYN (Dr. Oje), General/Thoracic/Head and Neck (Dr. Camazine) and Oncology (Dr. Jombo).

SUPPORT AND DONATIONS

1.     The employees at Good Shepherd Medical Center (Longview, TX) donated medical equipment for the African trips.

2.     The employees at Longview Regional Medical Center (Longview, TX) donated medical equipment for the African trips.

3.     The employees at Metroplex Adventist Hospital (Killeen, TX) donated medical equipment for the African trips.

4.     The employees at ETMC Carthage Hospital (Carthage, TX) donated medical equipment for the African trip.

5.     The employees at ETMC Pittsburg (Pittsburg, TX) donated medical equipment for the African trips.

6.     The employees at ETMC Henderson (Henderson, TX) donated medical equipment for the African trips.
7.     The Merci Program (Medical Equipment Recovery of Clean Inventory), via Sandi Luthie, of the University of Virginia Health System, donated valuable supplies for our mission trip to Nigeria.

8.     Ethicon Inc. (via MAP International) donated a huge amount of mesh and suture for hernia repairs, which were critical to the success of our surgeries.

9.     Baxter (via Americares) supplied Floseal for hemostasis for our difficult surgeries.

10.  Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA (FOW-USA) donated ostomy supplies for patients who require ostomies. This is very important for these unfortunate patients since quality ostomy supplies are either not available or very expensive in Nigeria.

11.  Project Save donated valuable surgical supplies, including staplers, mesh and suture,  for our Nigerian patients.

12.  Erna Winkler, RN, a previous traveler to NCH, collected valuable supplies that will be used on our trips.

13.  Delta Airlines granted a baggage waiver for the May, 2015 trip that allowed Dr. Camazine to bring 300 lb of supplies without additional costs.

14.  Rosann and Hermann Alexander continued to provided logistic support for Dr. Camazine in Dallas, TX. Without their assistance, the humanitarian trips would have been significantly more difficult.

15.  Vicki Jones, President/CEO of Women’s Health Boutique in Longview, TX donated breast prostheses and postmastectomy bras for breast cancer patients in Nigeria. Patients will be elated when they receive these gifts.

16.  The International Health Care Foundation continuously supplies Earthwide with equipment and supplies.

17.  Bird and Cronin donated Abdominal binders with drain fasteners for our mastectomy and hernia patients.

18.  John Bradicich at US Endoscopy donated needed GI supplies. These will greatly help with our GI cases.

19.  Leah Sorenson at Vectorsurgical provided a Silverstein Wrap for our breast patients.

20.  Bard Davol (via Americares) donated critical hemostatic products for our dufficult cases in Nigeria.

21.  Utah Medical donated needed urological and gynecological instruments.

22.  CooperSurgical donated retractors and other surgical equipment for our difficult cases in Nigeria.

23.  Joyce Newhouse donated surgical mesh and other Ethicon products for our hernia patients.

24.  Integra LifeSciences donated a skin grafting knife with blades for our reconstructive work.

25.  Standard Textile donated 12 beautiful surgical drapes to replace the ones we have which are falling apart.

26.  Texas General Hospital donated surgical supplies to Earthwide.

27.  W. Todd Allen, DVM, donated surgical supplies to Earthwide.

28.  Ethicon Endo-Surgery/Johnson & Johnson, Inc. granted TWO funding requests to earthwide for  needed GI stapling devices for our gastrointestinal work.

29.  Scanlon International donated beautiful surgical instruments for our work in Nigeria.

30.  Earthwide received a grant from Cook Medical to support the work at the Nigerian Christian Hospital (purchase of bronchoscope)

31.  James Netterville, MD, Head and Neck Surgeon at Vanderbilt University, purchased an AutoVent 2000 Ventilator for the work at NCH. This will be invaluable for the rare patient that does not immediately wake up from anesthesia or the rare patient that requires ventilatory support for a few days.

32.  Dolores Meeehan, who alos works in Nigeria,  donated surgical supplies to Earthwide.

33.  Earthwide Surgical received donations from the following individuals:

1.     Josephs Anudokem
2.     John Bailey, DDS
3.     Beverly Barletta
4.     Justine Barletta
5.     Brian Camazine, MD
6.     Peggy Dorrell
7.     Hank Farrar, MD
8.     Cecil Fincher, MD
9.     Alan Freedman
10.  Ted Hopens, MD
11.  Charlotte Jacobs, MD
12.  Al Jones, MD
13.  Vicki Jones
14.  Pete Kaplan
15.  Sandie Luthie
16.  Brabara Maufas
17.  Robert Mahaffey, MD
18.  Jerry/Virginia Myhan
19.  James Netterville, MD
20.  Joyce Newhouse
21.  Carole Ortenzo
22.  Gurram Reddy, MD
23.  George Robertson
24.  Tim/Brigid Scanlon
25.  Patty Wilson, RN
26.  Erna Winkler

34. Earthwide Surgical received donations from the following organizations:

1.     Americares (Cia Marion, Stephanie Bertsch-Merbach, Tricia Gordon)
2.     Bard Davol (David Ricci)
3.     Bird and Cronin (Sharee Boutin)
4.     Cook Medical (Melissa Bottoms/Dane Trapkus)
5.     Cook Group Incorporated
6.     CooperSurgical (Jim Young)
7.     Ethicon Endo-Surgery/Johnson & Johnson (Kim Lenahan)
8.     ETMC Carthage Hospital (Linda Nagle)
9.     ETMC Henderson (Sharon Bush)
10.  ETMC Pittsburg (Rob Terry)
11.  Friends of Ostomates USA (FOW-USA) (Ruth Salinger)
12.  Good Shepherd Medical Center (Sharon Phillips)
13.  Integra LifeSciences (Gianna Sabella)
14.  International Health Care Foundation (Tom Carr)
15.  Longview Regional Medical Center (Kathy Diamond)
16.  MAP International (Anne Blount)
17.  Merci Program (Sandi Luthie)
18.  Merril Lynch (matching Pete Kaplan’s donation)
19.  Metroplex Adventist Hospital (Jose Ramirez)
20.  OPB Medical (Michael Traub)
21.  Project Save (Janet Peck)
22.  Scanlan International (Brigid/Tim Scanlon)
23.  Standard Textile (Annie Weierman)
24.  Texas General Hospital (Christie Fox)
25.  US Endoscopy (John Bradicich)
26.  Utah Medical (Mark Fox)
27.  Vectorsurgical (Leah Sorenson)
28.  W. Todd Allen, DVM, Canine Specialty Surgery
29.  Women’s Health Boutique (Vicki Jones)

AWARDS

1.     On 1/2/15, Dr. Camazine was reaffirmed by as Chief of Surgery at the Nigerian Christian Hospital.

2.     On 6/15/15, Dr, Camazine obtained his permanent Nigerian license

WHAT DO WE PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH?

1.     We will continue supporting the Bachelor of Science in Nursing training of Eric Oje.

  1. We are intensifying our efforts to obtain needed supplies and equipment. Many companies have been very generous.

  1. We will continue to branch out to additional areas in Nigeria and the world that are in need of surgical assistance.

  1. We will continue our efforts to train future generations of surgeons in Nigeria.

  1. Dr. Camazine formed a Google Group for people interested in Earthwide Surgical Foundation and the Nigerian Christian Hospital.



Brian Camazine, MD
President, Earthwide Surgical Foundation
1933 Eastwood Drive
Henderson, TX 75652
254-718-0659
www.earthwidesurgicalfoundation.blogspot.com