Resident: Kabra Aashish, MD (University of Texas Health Science Center)
Location: San Fernando, Trinidad; March 18-25, 2017
Mentor: George Martin, MD
Sponsors: South Central Section of the AUA
Dr. Kabra reported, “This workshop was well organized. There was so much planning, so many details, that despite 
limited communication before, you can tell how much effort went into it. All their residents played an active process in organizing, getting to know us, and overall setting up for a successful week. We got to know almost each one individually which was a treat. Aside from urology itself, we were able to learn so much about the country, hospital, culture, individual stories, healthcare, and urologic issues. It was great to pick their brains to compare the differences to America.
“We focused the entire week on working towards having the urologists master the laparoscopic nephrectomy. After Dr. Martin and I presented the basic techniques from setup to dissection and extraction in the first case, we quickly transitioned to coaching Dr. Ramsoobagh and his partner through the cases. Eventually, they were performing them on their own, and it was truly amazing to see it all happen within one week. After we left, they booked additional laparoscopic cases the following week when we were gone to keep their momentum going and hopefully maintain everything they had learned. It was a true pleasure once they emailed us a few days after we left with the good news of them having finished their first laparoscopic nephrectomy on their own. 
I think the impact of this type of training really makes these mission trips vital, even more so than simply doing a handful of cases in that time as well. The department of urology in San Fernando can now apply everything they’ve learned for years, even generations of training, to make an extremely large, immeasurable impact.
“Through IVUmed, I now have a clear goal in sight in the next few years after I establish my own practice…to become an IVUmed mentor myself one day and contribute to these wonderful opportunities. I sincerely thank my scholarship benefactors for allowing me to have this life changing experience. I plan to be back, and will see you hopefully as an IVUmed mentor next time! Thank you!”