8573 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona
http://www.surgicalcharities.org 480 -656-4048
Mission
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Mission
1
The Donors
2
The Operating Room
3
The Team
4
A Remarkable Experience
ISF was started with the mission to provide general surgery and general
orthopedic surgery to the local impoverished population of the
Dominican Republic and Caribbean countries.
A number of patients in these countries have spent the second half of
their lives unable to walk as a result of spine conditions that are clearly
preventable.
In March 2011 we performed our first week of Spine Clinic and (5)
complex spine reconstruction surgeries at the Hospital of Metropolitan
Santiago [H.O.M.S.]. The Volunteers and Staff of both ISF and HOMS
foundation made this an incredibly successful trip, which literally
changed the lives of the patients we helped.
The Donors
"Without them, this trip simply could not have occurred." - Duane Pitt, MD
We owe the incredible gifts of this mission to the following donors:
“Your donations allowed
for an amazing change
to the lives of several
deserving patients.”
Medtronic:
They provided the hardware instrumentation that allowed for 4 major
spine reconstruction cases.
Sensory Testing Systems, Inc.:
They provided a highly trained neuro-monitoring technical support for
intra-operative monitoring of the central and peripheral nervous system
during surgery, thus reducing the risk of paralysis.
Americare:
They provided antibiotics, and other medication such as Normal Saline
and Lactated Ringers for the surgeries which provided hemodynamic
support during the operations for the patients. Additionally provided
were Gellfoam Thrombin and other products that were vital to reduce
intra-operative bleeding around nerves.
Valley Anesthesia Foundation:
They provided major monetary support which allowed for us to sponsor
critical registered nurses and medical technicians for the trip.
Page 2
ISF: Dominican Republic Trip - March 12-19, 2011
The Operating Room
During the week, we were able to see several patients from the local
indigent population in clinic, and operate on a select few.
“One patient had
suffered in pain for over
a year with a progressive
deformity of her neck
after a prior unsuccessful
laminectomy, which left
her with a major inability
to hold her head up.”
Those whom we had the privilege to operate on were truly in need, and
had no other way to obtain treatment and correction of their issues. We
are very blessed to have been given the opportunity to offer our services,
in the pursuit of increasing human dignity.
The operations we successfully performed were:
1. Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion:
For over a year, this patient suffered with a progressive deformity
of her neck, and had arm pain after an unsuccessful prior cervical
laminectomy, which left her unable to hold her head up. This
required a major reconstruction of her cervical spine (neck) to
reduce her arm pain, and allow her to maintain a normal
horizontal gaze.
2. Lumbar Laminectomy:
Patient was losing ability to walk due to a progressive
degenerative process in the spine that slowly compressed all of
the nerves to the legs.
3. Lumbar Laminectomy
Patient was unable to walk without sitting down frequently and
required spine surgery to relieve the compression.
4. 360 Degree Anterior & Posterior Lumbar Reconstructive Fusion:
This patient had already undergone a fusion. Unfortunately her
surgery did not heal properly, and she did not have the resources
to fix the problem. We performed an anterior and posterior
lumbar reconstructive fusion to correct the problem.
5. Revision Posterior Lumbar Fusion:
Post Op X-Ray: C2-C6 Cervical Fusion.
She can now hold her head up high
This person also had a surgery that did not heal properly. The old
and outdated hardware used was not sufficient to maintain his
ability to stand and walk. The old hardware had to be removed
and his lumbar spine reconstructed to provide him a better
chance at a normal life.
ISF Dominican Republic Trip - March 12-19, 2011
Page 3
The Team
"ISF could not operate without its wonderful team of volunteers."
- Duane Pitt, M.D.
Dr. Duane Pitt, MD:
Dr Duane Pitt is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Fellow of the American Academy
of Orthopedic Surgeons. He graduated from medical school at the University of California
at Irvine School of Medicine, and completed an orthopedic surgery residency with focus on
trauma, scoliosis, deformity, cancer, pediatric and adult spine disorders, at Loma Linda
University Medical Center in southern California.
Dr. Adalberto Gonzalez, MD:
Dr. Gonzalez has been practicing adult cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery in the greater
Phoenix, Arizona area for the last 25 years. He received his undergraduate degree from
Yale University in 1974 and his Medical degree from The University of Colorado School of
Medicine in 1978. He received his General Surgery training at Maricopa Medical Center in
Phoenix, Arizona and completed his post-graduate training in Thoracic surgery at the
University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Dan Kamm, Medtronic:
Dan Kamm is a Sales Representative in Spinal and Biologics for Medtronic, Inc. He has
over 9 years of experience in Spinal and Orthopedic Reconstructions, and specializes in
Operating room expertise on spinal hardware and processes. Dan has a Bachelors in Arts
from a college in Iowa.
Lauren Hewitt:
Lauren Hewitt is a board certified intra-operative neurological monitoring specialist. He
obtained his undergraduate education at Truman State University, and Kirksville College of
Osteopathic Medicine. As an active member of the American Society of
Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists, Mr. Hewitt has worked as an independent consultant
to hospitals, equipment manufacturers, and private practices. With 23 years of experience
in spinal and cranial neurological monitoring, Mr. Hewitt represents corporate sponsor
Sensory Testing Systems, Inc.
Dr. Pitt during Lumbar reconstruction
Marcella Stevens:
Marcella Stevens was our operating room nurse during this trip. As a Registered Nurse,
she was a critical team member of the operating team.
Todd Lehmenkuler:
Todd Lehmenkuler is a former Navy Corpsman, and graduate of Frank Loyd Wrights
architectural school. As our Medical technician, he was a critical member of the support
staff of the surgeons, during each operations.
Brett Bruderer:
Major Brett J. Bruderer is a Medical Service Corp Officer of the 129th Medical Group,
California Air National Guard. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State
University, Long Beach, California in December 1998, and a Masters degree in Business
Administration in 2001 from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California He is
currently pursuing a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of
Southern California.
Scott Gregory:
Scott Gregory is the Vice President of Business Development for VIP Consulting,
Sacramento, CA. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of California,
Davis.
“The operations at times
felt like watching the
construction of a
complex space station.”
- Brett Bruderer
Page 4
ISF: Dominican Republic Trip - March 12-19, 2011
A Remarkable Experience
Dr. Duane Pitt March was the first surgical week for ISF. The trip was
extraordinary and the clinics were filled with patients who’s
financial situation did not allow them access to the type of
surgical and medical care that we were offering. Spinal
surgery is a very expensive and high risk endeavor, that
when properly applied to a patient with proper indications, is
life saving. Many people are forced to live their lives with
major spine deformities which often, depending on the
deformity, adversely affect their quality and length of life.
The patients we were honored to take care off had spent
many months or years suffering with leg pain, arm pain, or
spine pain. Many had major deformities such as scoliosis,
kyphosis, or spondylolisthesis. Losing their ability to
ambulate due to their deformity was not uncommon as many
are forced to neglect their problem due to lack of financial
resources.
During the week of March 14th, we operated on Monday
through Wed, completing 6 major spine surgeries, and ran a
clinic with many patients who we are treating conservatively
first, and a few others who are now on the surgical schedule
for September. We were a team of 7 professionals, of which
two were surgeons. We were able to secure donations of
enough spinal hardware implants and biologics for all of the
cases. I had the opportunity to follow up on all of the
patients one month later, to evaluate their outcomes,
satisfaction, surgical sites, and their neurologic function. To
date, all of the patients are doing very well with no recurrence
of arm or leg pain.
Dr. Adalberto Gonzales -
The hospital medical staff and ancillary personnel were extremely
friendly, helpful and pleasant to all of us in our quest to meet our
objectives. The patients on whom we performed surgery were
gracious and grateful.
To our ISF team: I could not have asked for a better group of people
to work with--a heartfelt thanks to all.
Brett Bruderer I cannot express enough the gratitude I feel for getting to be a part of
this team. The volunteers and staff of the HOMS foundation were
incredible, and without their support, we could not have been as
successful as we were.
On behalf of the ISF Board, I cannot thank enough the ISF team and
the donors from Medtronic, Americare, and Valley Anesthesia
Foundation.
Without the entire team, HOMS foundation, and the donors, this
great humanitarian mission would not have been possible.
Our trip to Santiago, Dominican Republic with the
International Surgical Foundation was a most pleasurable
experience. This was my first visit to this country and my
overall impression can only be described as wonderful. The
country is beautiful as are its people.
Scott Gregory -
The Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago is a modern facility
and the HOMS foundation and the remarkable people that
administer this entity are dedicated individuals intent on
assisting the indigent population that are in dire need of
adequate healthcare.
The people of the hospital and the Dominican Republic were so
welcoming and grateful.
International Surgical Foundation
8573 E. Princess Drive
Scottsdale, AZ
Phone:
480-656-4048
Website:
http://www.surgicalcharities.org
My experience with ISF was unique and wonderful. I will remember
it fondly all of my life. It was a privilege to support the medical team,
and seeing complex surgeries live was an amazing experience.
It was great to be a small part of something so much more important
than all of us.