Team Leader: Dr. Mark Hershey, M.D.
Team Type: General Surgery and Information Technology
Campaign Summary: Around 90 patients were triaged. Sixty surgeries were completed. The surgeries included 18 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 35 hernias, and 7 procedures to remove large lipomas.
Supporters:
Highland Partners Charitable Fund – Waban, Massachusetts
Team Members:
Caitlin Berry, R.N. – Registered Nurse
Sachin Dhamdhere – Software Developer
Alyssa Ferrante, R.N. – Registered Nurse
Dr. Martha Hauch, M.D. – Anesthesiologist
Elizabeth Henderson, R.N. – Registered Nurse
Emma Hershey – Translator
Judith Hershey – Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Mark Hershey, M.D. – Anesthesiologist
Erin Marie Jones, R.N. – Registered Nurse
Eric Michael Jones – Sterile Supply
Cheryl Marks – Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Charudutt Paranjape, M.D. – General Surgeon
Katiucia Pedrazas – Surgical Technologist
Natalie Semmyannikova, R.N. – Registered Nurse
Dr. Hany Takla, M.D. – General Surgeon
Hany Takla and Liz Henderson Meeting Family After Surgery
Eric Michael Jones and Others After Completing Their Daily Morning Hike Up to the Coya Sign
Emma Hershey Conducting Port Operative Rounds at Casa Nancy
Cheryl Marks with a Patient Who Completed Hernia Surgery Earlier That Day
A Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Being Performed by Erin Maria Jones and Charudutt Paranjape
Large Hernia Being Dissected by Dr. Hany Takla and Katriucia Pedrazas.
Narrative:
By Dr. Mark Hershey, M.D.
Our November 2022 Boston-based general surgery campaign helped 62 patients receive life changing surgery. Although we in the States may think of hernias and gallbladder surgery as routine and not “life changing”, those served at the Kausay Wasi Clinic live for years with pain and potentially life threatening conditions. Laparoscopic surgery, which had never been an option for these people, is now routinely performed by our group. On this, our 10th campaign, our group performed 18 laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 35 hernias, and 7 procedures to remove large lipomas.
Additionally, we had the opportunity to bring a Boston based computer engineer along with the group. He worked with the local staff to update the web site as well as several other information technology systems.