The January mission was one of new ventures and a continuation of past endeavors.
Medical Mission
Reconstructive Surgery
La Merced launched its Breast Reconstructive Surgery Program to answer a desperate need:
Over the last several years, with very few exceptions, no breast reconstructive surgery had been available to the 400 indigent women who had undergone mastectomies for the treatment of breast cancer. They were left without one or both breasts. During the January mission, the La Merced Medical team performed breast reconstructions with breast implants, latissimus dorsi flaps, and TRAM flaps. We are hoping this mission was just the beginning of an ongoing program. It is our goal to make breast reconstruction available for the majority or all women in Nicaragua. Of course, we will need financial support to make this happen.
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This 42-year-old woman developed cancer in her left breast eleven months prior to the January mission. She delayed her mastectomy because she was fearful of living without one of her breasts. Upon hearing of our visit, she decided to move forward. We performed mastectomy and immediate reconstruction for her. |
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This 17-year-old woman developed a large tumor in her right breast eleven months prior to the January mission. Her parents delayed her surgery out of fear that its removal would have left her with a horrible deformity. Upon hearing of the mission, they agreed to schedule her surgery. We removed the tumor and performed immediate reconstruction. |
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
The La Merced orthopedic surgery team performed corrective surgeries on patients with deformities and/or functional impairments due to poor healing of fractures treated months or years ago. Although we have performed numerous joint replacement surgeries in the past down in Managua, Dr. Huber wanted to offer his expertise in treating patients with incapacitating orthopedic problems far more complex than those requiring joint replacement.
We are very grateful to Salisbury University which, under the leadership of Mary DiBartolo, afforded us nursing students, who provided invaluable assistance to both the plastic surgery and orthopedic teams. In addition, Mary shared her expertise with alzheimer’s disease with the medical community there.
Physical therapy and Dental Medicine
In the Roberto Clemente Clinic, La Merced provided dental medicine, physical therapy and plastic surgery.
Community Outreach
Soccer Camp!
Under the leadership of Dominic DiBartolo, La Merced hosted a soccer camp for children of the barrio. Dominick is here giving instruction to teenager.
Max Huber makes preparation for the camp by inflating the balls, donated by friends of Salisbury.
Steve Perrotta takes a break with his new Nicaraguan friends and you’re, long-term one, Jerry Antonio.
New friends sit for a group photo
OUR JANUARY 2017 TRAVELING TEAM:
James Blackwell – interpreter
Shirley Blackwell – clinical operations
Lauren Cordier – clinical assistant
Dominic DiBartolo – administrative assistant
Mary DiBartolo – director of nursing
Alison Farmer – nursing student
Rebecca Hasz – administrative assistant
Florian Huber – orthopedic surgeon
Isabella Huber – clinical assistant
Katrin Huber – clinical assistant
Maximillian Huber – student
Kristen Murphy – nursing student
Christina Perrotta – team leader
Christopher Perrotta – clinical assistant
Joseph Perrotta – student
Julia Perrotta – director of clinic
Nick Perrotta – administrative assistant
Stephen Perrotta – student
Vincent Perrotta – plastic surgeon
Cheryl Stetzer – physical therapist
Kraig Stetzer – dentist
Lindsay Stetzer – student
MAJOR SPONSORS FOR JANUARY 2017:
Peninsula Regional Medical Center
Clint Mahle and Henry Schein Medical
MAP International
Sara Helms and LifeCell
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS AND LARGE DONORS:
Kim Messick
Tammy Carpenter
Linda Hasz
Eve Gaskell
Heather Martin