The 14th Free Surgical Camp

2011 proved to be another very successful year for the Free Surgical Camp at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital held from January 8 through Jan 22. We were delighted to have returning surgeons Dr. George Longstreth, Dr. Joe Bardenheier III, Dr. Bob Dywer and Dr. Sulochana Christopher and our anesthesiologist Dr. Gopi Chand. Also returning was our chief nurse and circulator Shirley Owen who is a key part of our team and without her efforts, our success would be very hard to accomplish. Assisting Shirley and the surgeons were Sister Debbie and Sharamma Vimalamma whose tireless dedication to our efforts through 14 hour days with little more than a couple of “chai breaks” is a true testimony to their dedication to St. Mary’s and the patients, gods work indeed.

We were very pleased to add Dr. Renny Schoonmaker to the team this year who spent many long hours meeting with every single patient who walked into our doors which was over 600. Renny screened each patient analyzing their medical needs, offering advice for further testing or writing prescriptions, and recommending surgery.  A challenging job indeed as not one of the people he met with spoke English and thus we thank two very important women who stood beside him every step of the way including the chief nurse at St. Mary’s, Sister Preeti Knight and Dr. Naomi Rodrigues both of whom are on a two year rotation at St. Mary’s as part of their medical studies. Preeti manages the staff of young nurses who work in the clinic at St. Mary’s through out the year and Dr. Naomi is the acting physician at the clinic though no surgery is done during the rest of the year. Also acting as translators from Telagu to English where Annie and Ben, daughter and son of Dr. Salochana Christoper who were a great help.

Working elbow to elbow with the surgeons were three able medical assistants from the states. Joe Bardenheier IV, son of Dr. Joe Bardenheier III came over for his first year and got actively involved in many operations. Taking naturally to the process many wondered why he did not follow in his fathers footsteps to medicine. It was great to have Sam Carter a pre-med student from Fordham come over for his second year as he was able hit the operating room running. We were also very pleased to have Adam Herting another pre-med student from Fordham assisting, at 6’5 Adam was clearly the tallest man in India.

Coordinating the patient triage, scheduling the operations and logging the details of each is a key part of keeping our two week effort running smoothly. We were very lucky to have Judy Schoonmaker, wife of Renny, to help in these efforts. Judy’s broad smile and quick wit was a welcome addition to the patients and Doctors alike. Liz Johnson, Dr. George’s daughter also helped a great deal in this capacity. Her first trip to Khammam after hearing of her fathers tireless involvement for twelve years, Liz was also able to assist her father in a few operations as well.

Rounding out this team were our Pilgrim Witnesses acting as ambassadors of good hope, joy, love and the teaching of Christ, Mary Negley, Amy Utley and Harriet Daub. These ladies spent a great deal of time visiting the patients in post op, the leper colony, Happy Homes and the several schools and churches that are all supported by the efforts of FOCI, CSU and the Pillar of Fire. As part of their gift this year they distributed bibles translated into Telegu as well as used clothing. It was a wonder to watch them sing, dance, read and hug the children and adults, they were greeted with such kind smiles and enthusiasm.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to all of the generous people who helped fund our efforts for the Free Surgical Camp and those funding our Rural Health Clinics and Specialty Clinics which are run through-out the year at St. Mary’s Hospital. Without these generous donors none of this great work would be possible. Thank you! The planning for next years Camp is starting already and we hope to serve even more people in improved facilities.

Respectfully submitted,
George Longstreth, MD and Joe Bardenheier III, MD

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The Team:

Dr. George Longstreth, MD, FACS
Surgeon, Fairfield Ct., fourteenth Free Surgical Camp

Dr. Joe Bardenheier III, MD, FACS
Surgeon, Essex Ct., fifth Free Surgical Camp

Dr. Bob Dwyer, MD, FACS
Surgeon, Essex Ct. fourth Free Surgical Camp

Dr. Renny Schoonmaker, MD, FACS
Internist, Essex Ct. first Free Surgical Camp

Judy Schoonmaker
Patient booking, Essex Ct. first Free Surgical Camp

Joe Bardenheier IV
Medical assistant, Boston Ma, first Free Surgical Camp

Shirley Owen, RN
Chief nurse, Savanna Ga, second Free Surgical Camp

Liz Johnson
Patient log keeper, medical assistant, Georges Daughter, Kennebunkport, Me, first Free Surgical Camp

Sam Carter
Medical assistant, pre-med Fordham Univ. New York, NY, second Free Surgical Camp

Andrew Herting
Medical assistant, pre-med Fordham Univ. New York, NY, first Free Surgical Camp

Dr. Sulochana Christopher
Surgeon, Member of the Board of Christian Service Unit “CSU”, Chennai India, seventh Free Surgical Camp

Dr. Gopi Chand
Anesthesiologist, Khammam India, fourteenth Free Surgical Camp

Dr. Noami Rodriguez
Medical resident, St. Mary’s Hospital, Khammam India, first Free Surgical Camp

Sister Pretti  Knight
Chief nurse, St. Mary’s Hospital, Khammam India, first Free Surgical Camp

Mary Negley
Pilgrim witness, Savannah GA, first trip to St. Mary’s

Amy Utley
Pilgrim witness, Savannah GA, first trip to St. Mary’s

Harriet Daub
Pilgrim witness, Virginia Beach, VA, first trip to St. Mary’s

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Team Photos:

 

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Rotary Club of Khammam Reception

The team was greeted to a reception by the Rotary Club of Khammam, Rotary International Dist. 3150. The Rotary Club has built the Rotary Artificial Limb Centre in Khammam, India. This is an on going social service project that was established in 1990 to serve the needs of the poor and physically challenged. People with amputated limbs due to the increase in road accidents, diabetes and other reasons are offered artificial limbs at a much-reduced cost. The center grants over 1,000 artificial limbs per year.

The Rotary Club of Khamman is also a supporter of the Free Surgical Camp at St. Mary’s hospital.

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Report Of Surgeries:

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The Team Performed 174 Surgeries Total:

Built in the late 1800’s and originally equipped with a single operating table, the OR now has two tables and is a cramped and very busy place in order to average 16 surgeries a day.