Team Leader: Dr. E. David Shaw, M.D.
Team Type: Children’s Orthopedics, Prosthetics, Orthotics, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Urology
Campaign Summary:
There were 121 patients triaged and 22 surgical procedures performed that were related to orthopedic issues. There were 80 patients and 9 surgical procedures related to urological concerns.
The Campaign was Financed by Team Members and their Supporters. Some Supplies, Services, and/or Funds were Donated:
Friends of Dr. Shaw – Salem, Oregon
Wendy Richardson – Salem, Oregon
Roger and Janet Olson – Salem, Oregon
Salem Health – Salem, Oregon
William and Margaret Walsh – Troutdale, Oregon
Team Members:
Katherine Bach, R.N.
Dr. Matthew Budge, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon
Robert Garcia, Translator
Dr. Kim Geelan, M.D., Anesthesiologist
Julie Jackson, Physical Therapist
Steven Jahn, Orthotist
Bonnie Makin, R.N.
Masih, Vandana, Assistant
Tara McDermott, R.N.
Rachel Nolan, R.N.
Sam Perez, Prosthetic Technician
Samantha Schmit, R.N.
Dr. Max Schober, M.D., Anesthesiologist
Dr. E. David Shaw, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon
Jennifer Truax, Physical Therapist
Dr. Bradley Warner, M.D., Urologist
Bilateral Deformity to Both Hands and Arms
Bilateral Feet and Legs Deformity
Bonnie Makin, Dr. Kim Geelan, and Dr. Brad Warner Starting a Case
Dr. Brad Warner and Robert Garcia Reviewing Laboratory Test Results Before Examing a Patient
Morning Meeting
Some of the Supplies the Team Takes Waiting for Packing in Dr. Shaw’s Office
Steven Jahn Fitting a Prosthesis.
Team Photo in Front of Casa Nancy Mural
Team Photo of October 2022 Group
X-ray of Bilateral Feet Deformity
Narrative:
By Dr. Max Schober, M.D.
The first time I planned to join Capitol City Medical Teams on a medical campaign was in 2020. Dr. Shaw has led pediatric orthopedic campaigns to Ecuador and Peru for over 25 years. After multiple delays due to the COVID pandemic, I was lucky to finally join the team on their trip to Coya, Peru in October 2022.
Our team was composed of two orthopedic surgeons, one urologist, two anesthesiologists, two physical therapists, two prosthetic engineers, one scrub nurse, two recovery nurses, two operating room nurses, and two Spanish translators. Each team member played a role in bringing the necessary surgical instruments, medications, and other medical equipment to the rural Kausay Wasi Clinic in Coya, Peru. The Clinic provided basic materials and nursing staff, but most things necessary for surgery had to be brought in from the U.S. We all traveled with one carry-on bag for personal items and two large suitcases filled with medical supplies.
Travel from Salem to the Kausay Wasi Clinic in Coya was a long, but smooth process thanks to Dr. Shaw’s extensive experience and detailed planning. After 24 hours of travel, we finally arrived in Coya and immediately started setting up our surgical and anesthesia equipment, along with triage, and preoperatory and recovery areas. As we approached the Clinic, our team was warmly welcomed by many families of former and future patients. Several children that had been treated years earlier eagerly greeted Dr. Shaw with hugs and laughter. After the set up was complete, we were able to sleep well for the first time since leaving Oregon.
The next morning we began triaging patients to determine candidates for surgery. Over 200 people came to the Clinic seeking care and after triage, we were able to treat 31 patients. The purpose of this trip was to provide pediatric orthopedic surgery to correct problems with upper and lower extremity conditions. This included surgeries for shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. Additionally, our urologist performed minimally invasive prostate procedures. Since these trips normally occur annually, but had been postponed for several years due to COVID, there were many more patients than usual in need of care. The team frequently worked from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm to meet this extra need.
Our days started with an early breakfast at the Coya Guesthouse. Next, we walked to the patient recovery house called Casa Nancy to follow up with patients from the previous day. Recovery nurses checked vitals and monitored patients. The surgeons ensured that the patients were healing appropriately, while the physical therapists instructed patients and their families on strengthening exercises to be done over the following weeks. The prosthetic engineers took measurements to create recovery equipment such as walkers, braces, and prosthetics.
After rounding on our recovering patients we’d get to the Clinic by 7:00 am to set up equipment for that day’s procedures. Our team would meet with Clinic staff to plan the day and anticipate potential challenges. We performed surgeries all morning and took a break for lunch that was graciously provided by the Clinic and made with local, fresh foods. The afternoon was filled with more procedures until we headed back to the Guest House around 8:00 pm for dinner. After long hours in the Clinic, our team enjoyed eating together, recapping the day, and relaxing before another day of surgery.
This was my first medical campaign to a foreign country and I wasn’t sure what to expect. While the days always presented challenges, I was especially impressed with the way the local Clinic staff and our team were able to work together so well. It was clear that the local Clinic staff had a strong relationship with the community they served and our two translators made it possible for the team to help them safely treat all patients. The days were hard, but made worthwhile by seeing the gratitude of the children and families that had traveled and waited for care for so long.
One particular case that stands out in my memory is that of a 34 year old patient with special needs who required a complex ankle procedure. He had suffered an injury during a previous surgical recovery period and his father had sought care for him from multiple clinics. He’d been turned away, however, due to his son’s special needs and problems during the previous recovery. Our team was able to come up with a plan to safely anesthetize the patient, perform the surgical procedure, and educate the father on how to safely facilitate and support the patient in his recovery in the weeks to come. Days later, we heard his father on Coya’s newly installed radio station expressing his appreciation to our team and the Kausay Wasi Clinic. He thanked the team for our willingness to treat his son and his wish for other doctors to learn from the team’s example of treating his son like a person after so much rejection from other clinics.
On our last night in Coya, the Clinic staff and our team got together for a final celebration. There was music, storytelling, good food, and drinks. Guido, the Clinic Director, played his accordion and we all sang along as best we could in Spanish. We all shared stories reminiscing about the work accomplished during our trip. The local staff expressed their gratitude to Dr. Shaw’s team for coming to their Clinic for so many years. It was truly touching to hear how Dr. Shaw’s decades of care had impacted and provided care to the children and families of this community.