Team Leaders: Drs. Paul Schultz, M.D. and Allison Jarstad, D.O.
Team Type: Ophthalmology
Campaign Summary:
Our team triaged around 300 patients. We
performed 46 cataract surgeries, 17 pterygium surgeries, 4
strabismus surgeries, and 5 YAG laser capsulotomies. We also
distributed over 200 pairs of glasses to patients.
Supporters:
Alcon Foundation — Fort Worth, Texas
Allergan — Cincinnati, Ohio
Cataract and Laser Institute — Medford, Oregon
MAP International — Brunswick, Georgia
Team Members and Roles:
Char Cooke, Technician
Joel Conners, Assistant
Edith Priscilla Corona, Licensed Practical Nurse
Anika Doell, Assistant
Seth Duncan, Assistant
Dr. Allison Jarstad, D.O., Ophthalmologist
Haley Maddox, Interpreter
Madeline Schultz, Assistant
Dr. Paul Schultz, M.D., Ophthalmologist
Janae Young, Technician
Dr. Allison Jarstad Performing Cataract Surgery
A Hypermature Mature Cataract Removed by Dr. Allison Jarstad
Dr. Paul Schultz Reunites with Lucinda Who Underwent Strabismus Surgery to Realign Her Eyes in 2021
Anika Doell also Reunites with Lucinda
Dr. Paul Schultz Performing a Follow-up Exam on Lucinda
Our Team Brought Almost All of Our Supplies in Suitcases from the United States as Shown by Seth Duncan
Seth Duncan Unpacking and Organizing Surgical Supplies like these Interocular Lenses Shown Here
Dr. Paul Schultz Performing Strabismus Surgery
Maria with Dr. Paul Schultz
Another Patient Undergoing an Ophthalmic Exam Prior to Strabismus Surgery. Bev, a Local Volunteer Translator, Stands Ready to Help. Haley Maddox is Assisting.
Haley Maddox and Maria Who had Strabismus Surgery in 2021
Dr. Paul Schultz with Josephina Who Underwent Cataract Surgery with Dr. Allison Jarstad
Dr. Allison Jarstad, Assisted by Priscilla Corona, Examines a Patient Using a Handheld Ultrasound to Check for a Retinal Detachment Prior to Cataract Surgery. When Cataracts Mature, They Become so Black that the Doctor Cannot See Through the Lens to Examine the Retina and Uses Ultrasound to “See It”.
The Clinic Team Haley Maddox, Anika Doell, Madeline Schultz, Janae Young, and Char Cooke Getting Ready to Screen Hundreds of Patients in the Clinic.
A Patient Undergoing Biometric Measurements Performed by Madeline Schultz to Calculate the Strength of Intraocular Lens Implants that will be Placed During Cataract Surgery by Dr. Allison Jarstad
Dr. Allison Jarstad with Faustina Post-surgery
Faustina Returning to the Clinc to Share Her Appreciation to Dr. Allison Jarstad for Her Restoring Her Sight
Dr. Allison Jarstad with Faustina at a Post-surgery Check-up
Dr. Paul Schultz and Janae Young Examining a Patient After his Cataract Surgery Performed by Dr. Allison Jarstad
Dr. Allison Jarstad Performing Cataract Surgery on a Patient with Priscilla Corona Assisting.
General Narrative:
This is Dr. Allison Jarstad’s first trip with this ophthalmologic team. She was recently hired to replace the retired Dr. Paul Schultz, M.D. at the Cataract and Laser Institute in Medford, Oregon. Dr. Schultz has lead medical teams to the Kausay Wasi Clinic in Coya, Peru for over 20 years. We are delighted that Dr. Jarstad will be assuming leadership of this Southern Oregon team to the Kausay Wasi Clinic in Coya, Peru.
Dr. Jarstad is uniquely qualified to lead ophthalmologic teams. She has completed fellowship training in International Ophthalmology at Stanford University, where she spent the majority of the year teaching cornea transplant and cataract surgeries in sub-Saharan Africa and Nepal. Dr. Jarstad has dedicated her career to humanitarian outreach, serving on missions to Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. She has partnered with organizations such as SEE International and CureBlindness.org and serves on the board of Scenic Northwest Surgical Outreach.
She was ecstatic to come along on this special trip with the understanding that she would eventually grow into the role of Team Leader. She did not know what to expect, but was immediately blown away with how smooth everything went. The Clinic support staff at Kausay Wasi Clinic were incredible to work with and the patients were so sweet and appreciative of their care. She can still feel the firm hugs from patients and their family members after the patients were able to see again after surgery and the eye patches were removed. These patients can now see again after living in darkness for so long. She said it is an honor to be able to do this kind of work and make a long-lasting impact on this community. Bringing the gift of sight to the people of Coya is a truly rewarding experience for her and the entire team.
While on this trip, she removed many cataracts from patients restoring their sight. The cataract pictured shows a hypermature black cataract. It prevented light from entering the eye resulting in blindness. Blindness from cataracts like the one in the picture is 100% curable with surgery.
One of the patients we saw was Faustina. She is a 68 year old female who had bilateral cataracts causing blindness. She hasn’t been able to work due to her blindness. The team screened her at the Clinic and Dr. Jarstad performed surgery on both eyes to remove all the cataracts. She left the Clinic being able to see and walking independently. She was so grateful for her new vision, she returned two days later to thank the team with jewelry. Dr. Jarstad declined the gift, but appreciated her thoughtfulness and gratitude for her new sight.
Additional Comments By Dr. Paul Schultz
As I review the myriad of Peru photos from several trips, I am struck by the relationships that have developed. Because our team has returned several times, many patients upon hearing of the team’s return also return to express their gratitude. Astrid was one of those patients. We have completed two strabismus surgeries on this young child. She shows up every year to see us and touch base. It is always a warm and amazing reunion.
Additional Comments By Janae Young (Second Trip)
My time serving the Peruvian people has been some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I especially enjoy the children. We see many of them year after year because their parents bring them back to be rechecked by Dr. Schultz or have touch up procedures as needed. They are just so happy and welcoming towards us and I hold that so near to my heart!