An IVUmed team traveled to Maputo, Mozambique for a pediatric urology workshop at Hospital Central de Maputo. Drs. Heidi Stephany and Christina Ching led the team and were joined by Tina Zeigler, RN (pediatric nurse), Dr. Christine Ayoub (anesthesiologist), and Dr. Molly Elmer-DeWitt (resident). The team was joined by a photojournalist, Tate Drucker, who documented part of the workshop.
The IVUmed team served children suffering from pediatric urological conditions while training local doctors and nurses. During the workshop, the team served 47 children with complex conditions. They saw five kids with disorders of sexual differentiation, four suffering from bladder exstrophy (one of which an IVUmed team saw last year and was doing very well), three pelvic trauma/urethral strictures, and many children with complex proximal hypospadias. The team scheduled a total of 17 surgeries for the week and successfully completed 15 complex cases. The two cases they were not able to complete due to their busy schedule were performed by local surgeons the following week.
Dr. Molly Elmer-DeWitt stated that the workshop, “was an incredible experience.” She added, “the need was so great and the local team so enthusiastic and excited to learn. I wish I could have stayed for longer and wish I could go back a few times a year! I hope that IVUmed continues to support this vital work and I hope to get more involved in coming years.”
After the trip, Katrina Zeigler said, “this was my fifth trip with IVUmed. They are always humbling. These are the kindest families who are so thankful. As a retired pediatric nurse I am able to keep my skills current and learn to work with the supplies on hand. Dr. Stephany is the best. Her skills are like ‘magic.’ I always enjoy being with her on these trips. Seeing the smiles on the faces of these young boys that we have given a new life to is overwhelming.”