Team Leader: Dr. Mark Hershey, M.D.
Team Type: Gastrointestinal and General Surgery
Campaign Summary:
There were 72 patients seen and 48 surgical procedures performed. Of the 48 procedures, 24 were inguinal and umbilical hernia repairs, 19 were laparoscopic cholecystectomies, and 5 were lipoma or mass removals.
Supporters: Highland Partners Charitable Fund — Waban, Massachusetts
Team Members:
Ann Baker, R.N., Perioperative Nurse
Neera Basnet, Surgical Technician
Dr. Eric Cappiello, M.D., Anesthesiologist
Dr. John Froio, M.D., Gastrointestinal and General Surgeon
Emma Hershey, Translator and Assistant
Judith Hershey, Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Mark Hershey, M.D., Anesthesiologist
Scott Hershey, Sterile Supply
Eric Jones, R.N., Operating Room
Dorren Jordan, R.N., Perioperative Nurse
Cheryl Marks, R.N., Perioperative Nurse
Dr. Vinod Narra, M.D., General Surgeon
Matthew Verney, R.N., Operating Room
White, Susan, R.N., Operating Room
Scott Hershey with Local Children on His Way back to the Hotel
Our Post-Covid Team Included Members from Three Different Boston Area Hospitals
Doreen Joreen, Neera Basnet, Susan White and Eric Jones were Welcomed with Open Arms
The Schedule and Procedures are Reviewed by Local Gastroenterologist Dr. Anderson, Guido Del Prado, Local Nurse Mery Paz, and John Froio
Dr. Vinod Narra Performing a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Narrative:
By Dr. Mark Hershey, M.D.
The Spring 2022 medical campaign marked the ninth time our group traveled to the Kausay Wasi Clinic in Coya, Peru. The last “routine” campaign had been November 2019 which turned out to be just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020 trip was cancelled and the 2021 trip was postponed to Spring 2022.
The “unknowns” were anxiety provoking. Would the trip be cancelled at the last minute? Would team members get Covid just prior to leaving the U.S.? Would one of the team members get Covid in Peru? Would they be ill? Would they have to stay in Peru while the rest of the team went home? How had the Clinic and the Clinic staff been affected by Covid? Would there be patients?
Overall, I kept asking myself – should I even be trying to have a trip during Covid?
I answered yes. I assembled a team consisting of members from three different Boston area hospitals.
Upon our arrival, we were welcomed with open arms. Clinic staff and patients warmly greeted us throughout our stay.
On the daily walk to and from the Guest House where the team lodged and the Clinic, we were often followed by little girls and boys. They were not in search of the medical care we were providing, but rather toys and candy.
When our team first came to the Clinic, our team brought laparoscopic equipment. Upon our return this year, it was still in working order. We usually do 4-5 laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 7-8 hernia repairs a day. To date our team has performed approximately 200 laparoscopic cholecystectomies!
In the end, everything worked out perfectly. No team members got Covid. The patients were all vaccinated and tested. The Clinic ran just as it had in the past: professionally and efficiently (as expected with Sandy and Guido in command). In fact, this trip was probably the most needed by everyone involved. The “Covid doldrums” seemed to have been broken. Team members, Clinic staff, and even the patients seemed more excited than usual. This return to normalcy was exhilarating.
As I look ahead to the next trip, I do so with some Covid anxiety, but this time with much less of it.