Granada – It’s amazing to see the progress that we’ve made in the past few days. The local Nicaraguan surgeons have surpassed our expectations and have a better handle on some of the new surgery techniques that we have introduced. We have completed our half-way point of this trip but it’s exciting to see the amazing results that are happening by our dedication to helping the Nicaraguan surgeons and their people.

Ryan and Orvin ready to go.

Dr. Peterman working with a local Nicaraguan anesthesiologist.

Sylvia also ready.

Dr. Avellanet in surgery with the local Granada physicians.

Dr. Desai and Granada physician Dr. Castillo performing surgery

Dr. Shedd, Chrissy, Nicole and Dr. Desai in the post-operative area.

Jan and a local Nicaraguan surgical teach.

Karen with a local Nicaraguan nurse.

Jan getting a Nicaraguan patient ready for surgery.

Dr. Desai and Dr. Shedd preparing a Nicaraguan patient for surgery.

Jacquie, Mary, Nicole, Monica and Chrissy.

Nicole, Mike, Dr. Avellanet, Chrissy, Karen and Jan.

Granada – Day 3 of the medical mission to Granada, Nicaragua with Medical Hands for Healing. The day began with another lecture from Dr. Avellanet. She went into more details on the gynecological surgery that they are performing to give the  local Nicaraguan physicians additional education and training. Medical Hands for Healing is very proud to have these high quality medical professionals that volunteered on this trip because they have risen to the challenges that occur in these international medical missions with excellence. Not only do these volunteers come with big hearts but their professionalism and skills stand out. Talking to the local Nicaraguan physicians and hearing how grateful they are that we are here teaching and working with them on these advanced procedures makes it all worth it.

Dr. Avellanet answering questions to local Nicaraguan physicians.

Dr. Paivi getting ready for patients.

Dr. Avellanet, Karen, Jan, Ryan and Dr. Desai prior to surgery.

Mary and Dr. Shedd getting the patient ready for surgery.

Orvin and Ryan training the local Nicaraguan surgical techs.

Chrissy, Genaro and Nicole in the pre-operative area.

Monica and Jacqui sterilizing the instruments.

Granada – We stared the morning with a lecture by Dr. Avellanet. Part of the medical mission for Medical Hands for Healing is to help the local physicians learn and hopefully with the training and experience doing these gynecological surgeries with them they can learn and proceed on their own in the future. The lecture was focused on some of the introductory teachings for gynecological surgeries.

Dr. Avellanet lecuring to the local Nicaraguan physicians.

Dr. Desai performing surgery and teaching the local Granada physicians.

Dr. Avellanet performing and teaching surgery to local Nicaraguan physicians.

Dr. Shedd and Nicole preparing the patient for surgery.

Nicoel and Mike meeting with the local Nicaraguan nurses.

Granada – We arrived for the first day in our week-long medical mission to Granada, Nicaragua at the Hospital Amistad Japon. The goal for today is to unpack the 51 bins of supplies, setup the operating rooms and screen the patients for surgery. Here are some photos taken during our first visit to the Hospital in Granada.

Dr. Desai, Dr. Avellanet, Chrissy and Jan

Patients waiting to be seen at the Hospital Amistad Japon.

Dr. Avellanet and Dr. Desai examining a patient.

Dr. Peterman examing a patient.

Cathedral de Granada

Granada – We’ve arrived for the Medical Hands for Healing medical mission to Granada. I wanted to share this image looking out from the front of our Hotel. In the background is the most prominent building in Granada, the Cathedral. Enjoy!

Scottsdale – Medical Hands for Healing, a Scottsdale based non-profit, is departing tomorrow May 21, 2011 on a medical mission to Granada, Nicaragua. The team made up of physicians, anesthesiologists, nurses, surgical techs, translators and support crew will embark on this rewarding medical mission focused on gynecology surgery, women’s health and education.

Medical Hands for Healing is proud to help the Nicaraguan people who are in desperate need of quality care. This trip is specifically focusing on gynecology surgery. Wish us luck as we begin the trip and we hope to update this blog with the progress that we make during this medical mission.