Cleft Lip/Palate

Last November, on Thanksgiving Day, I flew to Ecuador to volunteer as a PACU (recovery room) nurse with an American surgical team. Most of the 93 surgeries in our two weeks of work were cleft lip and palate repairs of children. Interplast is a California based group that has been sponsoring surgical missions for almost 40 years. It is not religious or political; it is health care. I felt fortunate to be chosen for a trip and was impressed with Interplast staff and volunteers every step of the way. From the very first contact, every interaction I had with this group was well organized and professional. I kept saying to Dave, "It is as if they have done all of this before."



This year, we are living in Mexico and I have found out about another group here in Puerto Vallarta that is doing similar work. Tomorrow I will volunteer with other members of the International Friendship Club at a local hospital for a three day cleft lip/palate surgery clinic. The surgeons come from Guadalajara and that is about all I know at this point. I may work in the operating room but I really won't know until tomorrow (or Thursday). This group is a little more laid back than Interplast. Not having surgical scrubs or a copy of my license was not a barrier. Just show up, was the reply. We can use your help.