This was our second successful trip to Tanzania. We returned to Mwanza and continued our work with IHP. We saw over 100 patients in clinic and performed eight gynecologic surgeries. We continued our health education program with Dr. Hussain speaking at one of the local mosques. Elaine and Davan helped Paula Lofstrom (of IHP) with fundraising for the hospital by making napkins and tablecloths out of Masai fabrics which Paula sells in her store. They also created some O.R. drapes. In addition, we participated in training an O. R. technician named Maria providing a means of employment for her so she may provide for her family.




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Participants:

Deborah Chong, MD LA, CA/Jamaica
Kenya Nu'man, MD, San Leandro, CA
Lise Rehwaldt, MD NY, NY
Mark Roberts
Steve Vanasco, MD Orlando, FL
Elaine Waetjen, MD Davis, CA

This was our first official mission to Mwanza, Tanzania. We collaborated with International Health Partners-Tanzania in Nyakato and were able to see approximately 135 patients in clinic and perform nine gynecologic surgeries. HIV and other STDs were diagnosed and sadly, were common. Dr. Nu'man held a women's health educational evening at one of the local mosques. This was very well attended and very successful. The goal of MIA is to continue to have a long term relationship with IHP-TZ and continue to provide gynecologic and other medical services to the people of Tanzania.




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Participants:

Karolynn Echols, MD Harlem, NY
Wayne McCreath, MD Miami, FL/Mo Bay Jamaica
Ambreen Sleemi, MD NY, NY
Lise Rehwaldt, MD NY, NY
Mark Roberts NY, NY

Local Jamaican Anesthesiology Team:

Dr. Delano Barrett
Dr. Cleon Davis
Dr. Ann Jackson-Gibson
Dr. Jason Toppin

Our 5th mission was a short but successful. Drs. Rehwaldt, Echols, Sleemi,McCreath and surgical technician Mark Roberts enlisted some wonderfulJamaican anesthesiologists from Kingston Public Hospital, led by Dr. Gibsonwho volunteered their time over the weekend so that we were able to complete8 major surgeries successfully. Again with the gracious hospitality ofElaine Chong and the help of Sister Grace Yap from the FranciscanMinistries, we were able to see 35 patients and perform 22 pap smears insome of the outlying clinics of Kingston.



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Participants:

Deborah Chong MD
Karolynn Echols MD
Sara Friedman MD, Sacramento, CA
Christine Hall Esq, Sacramento, CA
Lahaina Hall MD, New Jersey
Christine Kim MD, Sacramento, CA
Ann Leber, Sacramento, CA
Wayne McCreath MD, Miami, FL/Montego Bay, Jamaica
Suhila Noureldin, MD New York/Sudan
Lise Rehwaldt, MD New York

During this mission, we expanded our pap smear screening program in the rural areas of St. Mary. We were able to see 298 patients in clinic and perform 257 pap smears. We also added an education component to our mission. We educated women on basic health issues including self-breast exams, safe sex practices, healthy diet and exercise. We also continued providing surgical services at St. Joseph's hospital performing 8 major gynecological procedures.



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Participants:

Ray Cheung, MD Seattle, WA
Deborah Chong, MD, LA, CA/Kingston, Jamaica
Dr. Lindsey Dawson, MD Sacramento, CA
Karolynn Echols, MD Harlem, NY
Dr. Wayne McCreath, MD Miami, FL/Montego Bay, Jamaica
Lesley Meister, MD, Seattle, WA
Lise Rehwaldt, MD New York, NY
Elaine Waetjen, M.D. Davis, CA

Pap smear screening for cervical cancer prevention was initiated with this mission. We were able to perform approximately 80 pap smears in an outreach screening program. Most of our patients were in the parish of St. Mary where access to gynecologic care is limited. We were able to send those patients with abnormal results to the Jamaica Cancer society for further evaluation. We also performed 14 benign gynecologic surgeries at St. Joseph's hospital.

During this mission our first annual meeting took place and the official board for MIA was formed:

Deborah Chong, President and Treasurer
Karolynn Echols, Vice President
Lise Rewaldt, Secretary.




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Participants:

Bhoomi Brahmbhatt, MD Sacramento, CA
Deborah Chong, MD Los Angeles, CA/ Kingston, Jamaica
Carolyn Cook, RN Sacramento, CA
Stacy Judkins, Vacaville CA
Hong Li, MD Davis, CA
Meredith Williams, MD Ann Arbor Michigan
Shagufta Yasmeen, MD Sacramento, CA

During this medical mission we saw over 400 patients in various inner city clinics in Kingston, Jamaica. Some of the clinics are "make-shift" and include donated church halls or a person's home that were converted into a clinic for the day. Examples of the clinics include Whitfield Town, Trench Town(former home to Bob Marley), Stony Hill and Myrrh Villa. The clinics are organized by Sister Grace Yap. Our team is mobile, transporting supplies and medications each day from one site to another. We also performed 7 benign gynecologic surgeries at St. Joseph's hospital.



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Participants:

Ray Cheung, MD Seattle, WA
Deborah Chong, MD Los Angeles, CA/ Kingston, Jamaica
Karolynn Echols, MD Harlem, NY
Okey Ibeanu, MD Nigeria
Sara Koehler, MD Sacramento, CA
Lesley Meister, MD Seattle, WA
Lise Rehwaldt, MD New York, NY
Lisa Rolon, MD New York, NY


With the help of Sister Grace Yap OSF, of the Franciscan Ministries, our first mission was a success. We saw over 600 patients in various inner city clinics in Kingston, Jamaica. We treated a variety of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, infections and gynecological illnesses. We performed 12 successful benign gynecological surgeries at St. Joseph's Hospital. This trip initiated the birth of Medicine in Action.



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