Contact: Allison Bender, Director of Development
(615) 397-4547
abender@theshalomfoundation.org
Local Doctors Serve Globally Treating Children in Guatemala
December 18, 2007, NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An 18-member medical team sponsored by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and The Shalom Foundation returned Monday from a Medical Missions trip abroad in Guatemala City. The group of surgeons, doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses and administrative support visited Guatemala to treat children who otherwise have no medical services available to them. The team, which left Dec. 8, performed 42 procedures giving smiles to children for Christmas.
“We were so touched by these gentle children and their families,” said Dr. Shelagh Cofer, surgeon with Children’s Hospital. “We are already planning our next trip back. The needs of these children are truly overwhelming.”
“This trip was one of the most important experiences of my year,” said Dr. Cofer. “It was a wonderful gift to be able to serve these children who have no access to services. Back home we cannot understand the absence of available medical care for the poor.” Children’s Hospital joined The Shalom Foundation in 2005 as part of its on-going initiative to bring medical treatments, surgical care and on-going medical care to children who are without medical services.Their global relief efforts have included previous surgical trips to Guatemala and treatment of children brought to Nashville for surgery at Children’s Hospital. The purchase of a hospital in Guatemala City and additional trips for medical teams are already planned for 2008.
The doctors and nurses on the medical team prepared for the trip for weeks. “We are fortunate to be part of this global program serving children who otherwise would have little hope of treatment,” said Dr. Ira Landsman, Chief, Department of Pediatric Anesthesia, Children’s Hospital, who served as Leader for the team. “It is important work for us to continue” he said.
“With virtually no medical services available for these very poor families, their children go untreated often for years,” said Landsman. “These trips are literally life-changing for these children. It changed my life too,” said Landsman, who is committed to advancing the work done on behalf of The Shalom Foundation.
“The purchase and maintenance of a modern medical center will provide facilities, equipment and medical supplies for medical teams from all disciplines to work in much improved conditions,” said Amy Casseri, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and Shalom Foundation Board Member. “This hospital will transform the ability for teams, which represent a variety of organizations, to travel more efficiently and with greater flexibility. Children will be treated with better equipment and supplies at our doctors’ disposal.”
“These medical missions trips transform the lives of doctors and nurses, “said Dr. Steven Goudy, surgeon with Children’s Hospital. “They return to Nashville rejuvenated, ready to serve our community with even greater compassion and love for medicine. This was my second trip with The Shalom Foundation.”
The next Medical Missions trip with The Shalom Foundation is planned for February, 2008. A group of doctors is already preparing for the journey. To learn more visit www.theshalomfoundation.org or www.vanderbiltchildrens.com.