This weekend we met to pack our supplies for Rwanda. We have 23 suitcases, trunks and duffles full of almost everything you can imagine- gloves, instruments, heart monitors, ultrasounds, surgical packs, toys, candy, toiletries, etc. Its hard to know precisely what our needs will be now, but we're trying to anticipate all the contingencies. Each bag was inventoried, assigned to a team member, marked and weighed. We are hopeful that the bags will make the transfer in Nairobi without being compromised and will meet us in Kigali! Actually we have 22 bags - no one wanted to take bag number #13 so we skipped it and renamed it #14. We are allowed 30 bags so we are thrilled to each have some space for personal items. We are also allotting one bag to just snacks, power bars, etc.
Here is a rundown of the team members~
Sara Holt, CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), ME!
Specialty: Obstetrics and Women's Health
Goals: To teach local providers how to recognize and treat common pregnancy related conditions and complications- preeclampsia, breech presentation, postpartum hemorrhage, etc. I'd also love to deliver a few babies while in country and assist in surgery.
Previous mission work: None
Hal Goldberg, MD
Specialty: Cardiology
Goals: To teach EKG and cardiac examinations. Also to recommend treatment for patients with valvular heart disease and heart rhythm problems.
Previous mission work: None, except the ongoing mission to raise his children.
Christopher Zilar
Specialty: HIV/AIDS education
Goals: Fact finding and preparation for the next trip; train health care providers regarding HIV counseling.
Previous mission work: Legally ordained, volunteers with local AIDS organizations.
Le Zilar, ARNP
Specialty: Ob/Gyn Nurse Practitioner
Goals: Provide obstetric care and deliver babies in rural areas.
Previous mission work: Legally ordained, volunteer with local AIDS organizations.
Pam Silverstein, MD
Specialty: Ob/Gyn Physician
Goals: Teaching, clinical services, site visit
Sherry Altmaier
Specialty: Certified Surgical Technologist
Goals: To help establish and develop surgical services
Previous mission work: Ecuador 2005
Sherry has been instrumental in helping us acquire, organize and pack donated supplies- thank you-- wish you were joining us in Africa!
Mary Hadley
Specialty: Office organization; computer skills
Goals: To make a difference in at least one person's life and to provide shoes for MANY people. (Mary and her husband Don have raised money to provide shoes for local citizens- they are required for children to attend school and for adults to enter the markets).
Don Hadley, RVT, RCS
Specialty: Cardiac and Vascular Ultrasonographer
Goals: Learn some french and provide shoes!
Previous mission work: Locally with his church
Robb Lowy
Specialty: Engineering, water resources, energy
Goals: To initiate a cooperative relationship between the Rwandans and Gonzaga University Engineering Dept.
Adie Goldberg, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Specialty: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Crisis Intervention
Goals: To assist in rebuilding mental health systems, teaching, healing the healers.
Previous mission work: 4 years in the Peace Corps in Togo, Women's Health Ext Agent.
Ryan Holbrook, MD
Specialty: Surgical Oncology
Goals: To provide surgical support, teaching and service where possible. To make a difference.
Previous mission work: Ecuador 2005
Philip Soucy
Specialty: Cardiology Technician, French translation
Goals: Continue with french work, help where needed
Barbara Soucy, RN
Specialty: OR, ICU, PACU. Fluent in International Sign Language.
Goals: To help where needed.
