I came to Tanzania with the understanding that I would be running the recovery room for patients coming out of anesthesia. Once I arrived, I realized it was not so much a recovery room as a recovery hallway, but with the help of my fellow OR nurses and the anesthesiologists we adapted and overcame. It […]
We are on the move! We left Arusha, St. Elizabeth Hospital and Kisongo Clinic and made the long trek to the Ngorongoro Crater area and Endulen Hospital. We were told by Dr. Shriner that this clinic would be different. The patients would predominantly be members of the traditional Massai tribal culture. Additionally, they would likely […]
Today our journey took us through a very picturesque scenery, very green and lush, from Rhino Lodge overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater, to the small village of Endulen, home of long time PSCTP driver/team member, Lesikar Naalais. Along the way we encountered many young children on the roadside and were able to give them toy cars […]
Friday, the donkey team returned to the Maasai village we went to on Tuesday. When we were there on Tuesday, the villagers weren’t immediately receptive to us working on their donkeys. We arrived later than we planned and the men were involved in a big political meeting and weren’t available to give their blessing […]
What a wonderful week in Arusha. How many times can you say you actually changed someone’s life and really feel it? Well this week I think Phil Simon Clinic can say that a few times over. From medical screenings, to veterinarian clinics and donkey care to life changing surgeries. Long days and tiring work are […]
Day 3 of clinic work in Tanzania…where do I begin? Day one was highlighted by the look of relief on mother’s faces when told their child was cleared for a surgery that could dramatically change their lives. Later in the morning at St. Elizabeth’s, I was requested to go upstairs to consult on a 4 […]
I am in Tanzania, because 15 years ago, I walked into the Huntington Hospital ER with AIDS, living in perpetuating fear that my secret would be discovered. I was violently ill. The Hospital admitted me and that’s when I met Dr. Shriner. That week in the hospital was one of the worst moments of my […]
“Are you OK?” I ask as I jump back from the exam table in response to my patient’s scream. “That wasn’t her,” the interpreter clarifies. “It was a goat outside.” I have to stifle myself from laughing at my own ignorance. Being at Kisongo Clinic has been among the most eye-opening experiences in my clinical […]