Once again, the FACES Team returns home from Peru happy and humbled.
On November 13th, members of the FACES leadership team, in collaboration with local partners, conducted patient evaluations in preparation for the 7th Cleft Surgical Campaign in Lambayeque, Peru.
The patient screening enjoyed wonderful support from Hospital Belen and the Lions Clubs. FACES Surgeons Dr. Tom Albert and Dr. Dana Smith screened nearly 70 patients born with clefts, many of whom were returning patients following up for continued care and evaluation.
The surgeries will take place in January, at Hospital Belen in Lambayeque and Hospital Regional in Chiclayo. The FACES team will work with the staff of both hospitals to provide surgeries for about 50 patients.
The November trip is a wonderful opportunity to meet with local leadership and coordinate public health efforts. Dr. Robles of Hospital Mercedes, who specializes in restorative dentistry, orthodontics, and related surgery, continues to collaborate with us for pre and post-patient care. Dr. Moises Rosario, director of Hospital Belen, and Dr. Enrique Altamirano, director of Hospital Regional, are preparing their OR equipment and staff to accommodate the influx of patients during the campaign. They are an indispensable component in preparing the cleft patients for surgery.
Part of the trip, when possible, is dedicated to reaching the patients in the most remote areas of the country; patients who are unaware of the screening campaigns. The FACES team traveled to Inkawasi this year, assisting the Lions Club in a vision campaign and reviewing a few babies with clefts.
