12/18/2016

2016 NEWSLETTER

EARTHWIDE SURGICAL FOUNDATION

2016 Summary

I would like to thank all our generous contributors. It has been approximately 12 years since Earthwide Surgical Foundation was granted 501(C)(3) non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service. I am very happy with our progress towards achieving the Foundation’s goals, namely, to deliver surgical care to the poor of the world by means of manpower, equipment and education. The following are some of the highlights of the past year:

MISSION TRIPS


1.     On 1/2/16, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 4 week trip, 10 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Acho, Enyinnah, Akunekwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Nkeonye, Ifeanyi, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. Many nursing, medical and nurse anesthetist students were also present. Over 750 patients were treated and 150 operations performed. All members of the team were Nigerians except Dr. Camazine. This aspect of the trip is quite unique and we were very proud to get such a strong local participation.

2.     On 3/23/16, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 4 week trip, 11 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Acho, Enyinnah, Akunekwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Nottidge, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. Many nursing, medical and nurse anesthetist students were also present. Over 700 patients were treated and 147 operations performed. All members of the team were Nigerians except Dr. Camazine.

3.     On 5/29/16, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 4 week trip, 13 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Dabs, Acho, Enyinnah, Akunekwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Unaka, Chidi, Nottidge, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. General surgery residents from Federal Medical Center, Uhmaiha (Drs. Okpokiri, Chukwu, Nnana) started official 3 month rotations at the Nigerian Christian Hospital in order to get exposure to complex cases. Many nursing, medical and nurse anesthetist students were also present. Over 700 patients were treated and 121 operations performed.

4.     On 8/10/16, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for a mission trip. During this 5 week trip, 13 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Dabs, Acho, Akunekwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Nottidge, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. General surgery residents from Federal Medical Center, Uhmaiha (Drs. Imahigbe, Udemezue and Orgi) came to get exposure to complex cases. Many nursing and medical students were also present. Over 700 patients were treated and 138 operations performed.

5.     On 11/1/16, Dr. Camazine returned to the Nigerian Christian Hospital for 4 weeks. During this 4 week trip, 13 Nigerian upper level healthcare workers participated including Drs. Jombo, Dabs, Acho, Akunekwe, Akpanudo, Madu, Nottidge, Oje and Nurse Anesthetists, Wilson, Uruakpa and Oje. General surgery residents from Federal Medical Center, Uhmaiha (Drs. Imahigbe, Udemezue and Orgi) came to get exposure to complex cases. Many nursing and medical students were also present. Over 700 patients were treated and 138 operations performed. This trip all the pathology was performed locally by Chidi Onwuka. MD, at Surepath Pathology Consultants.


PROJECTS

1.     Dr. Camazine has expanded the teaching opportunities in Nigeria by introducing “Surgical Workshops”. These are hands on teaching opportunities for Nigerian Surgeons and residents. Surgical colleagues from many different parts of Nigeria have been invited to join the team at the Nigerian Christian Hospital and learn from the unique surgical pathology. Physicians from Delta, Benin, Abia, River, Enugu, and Anumbra States have participated.

2.     Dr. Camazine, Eric Oje, RN, and Wilson Anyanwu, RN, have expanded the teaching opportunities in Nigeria by introducing “Anesthesia Workshops-Anesthetic Techniques for the Complex and Unusual Patient” These courses provide hands on teaching opportunities for Nigerian anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists and nurse anesthetist students. Eric and Wilson are the best nurse anesthetist in Nigeria!

3.     Dr. Camazine continues his Blog on the work of Earthwide Surgical Foundation. It can be seen at www.earthwidesurgicalfoundation.blogspot.com. Dr. Camazine is also blogging on Facebook and this has been well received.

4.     Earthwide and the IHCF purchased a portable ventilator for NCH (AutoVent 2000). This will be very valuable for our patients who develop respiratory distress or who fail to wake up immediately from anesthesia.

5.  We are expanding our teleconsulting for difficult cases. Charlotte Jacobs, MD, oncologist at Stanford University, Charles Branch, MD, neurosurgeon at Wake Forest Baptist Health Center, John Melvin, MD, radiologist at ETMC Henderson, Ted Hopens, MD, radiologist at Central Texas Veterans Hospital, Louis Carter, MD, hand surgeon, Dr. Fred Mennick, plastic surgeon have been very helpful.

5.     The Nigerian Christian Hospital, with the support of Earthwide, has expanded its treatment possibilities by adding consultants in Urology (Dr. Achor), Orthopedic Surgery (Dr. Nottidge), Plastic Surgery (Dr. Akunikwe), and Pathology (Dr. Onwuka Chidi) Specialties already present are Pediatric Surgery (Dr. Emem), OBGYN (Dr. Oje), General/Thoracic/Head and Neck (Dr. Camazine) and Oncology (Dr. Jombo).

6.     Earthwide has started an Education Fund to help support the training of nurses and physicians. A Nigerian nurse is currently being supported for advanced training.

7.     General surgery residents from Federal Medical Center Uhmaiha are officially taking 3 month rotations at the Nigerian Christian Hospital in order to get exposure to complex cases. This is a new regulation determined by their Residency Review Committee. The residents are doing very well.

8.     The International Health Care Foundation and Earthwide Surgical Foundation purchased a SonoSite M-Turbo Ultrasound machine for the Nigerian Christian Hospital. Drs. Hopen and Melvin, in the USA,  have agreed to read our ultrasounds in order to improve our skills. In addition, our general surgery residents (above) will be taking online courses in reading ultrasound and reading the hospital’s ultrasounds.

9.     The International Health Care Foundation and Earthwide Surgical Foundation purchased a Welch Allyn monitor for the operating room at NCH.

10.  Dr. Camazine completed another book about his work at NCH.


GRANTS

1.     Ethicon Endo-Surgery/Johnson & Johnson, Inc. provided a grant (Grant Request #81618) to Earthwide for  needed GI stapling devices/laparoscopic equiopment for our gastrointestinal work.

2.     Cook Medical Group provided a monetary grant to Earthwide to support the work at the Nigerian Christian Hospital.

3.     Zimmer/Biomet provided a grant to Earthwide for an ATS Touniquet System.

4.     Jansport provided a grant to Earthwide to deliver backpacks to Nigerian students.

AWARDS

1.     In April, 2016, Dr. Camazine received an Award of Honour at the 50th Anniversary of the Nigerian Christian Hospital.

WHAT DO WE PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH?

  1. We are intensifying our efforts to obtain needed supplies and equipment. Many companies have been very generous.

  1. We will continue to branch out to additional areas in Nigeria and the world that are in need of surgical assistance. In July, ESF will collaborate with Professionals for Humanity for a surgical trip to Northern Nigeria.

  1. We will continue our efforts to train future generations of surgeons, anethetists and nurses in Nigeria.



Brian Camazine, MD
President, Earthwide Surgical Foundation
1933 Eastwood Drive
Henderson, TX 75652
254-718-0659
www.earthwidesurgicalfoundation.blogspot.com