August 2019 - Dr. Molly A. McCormick

This month, Surgical Outreach for the Americas (SOfA) recognizes Dr. Molly A. McCormick for Excellence.  Dr. McCormick has planned and coordinated anesthesiology activities for our surgical mission trips to developing countries in Central and South America. Her knowledge, work ethic and concern for the welfare of others makes her a leader in the Washington University community and a valued friend of SOfA.

A critical component of SOfA's field surgery program, anesthesia creates a "sleep-like" state for SOfA patients to prevent pain and mental trauma during the hundreds of surgeries performed by SOfA's volunteer doctors and nurses.

Dr. McCormick, thank you so much for your hard work and commitment to improving the health and lives of so many adults and children!

Dr. McCormick joined Washington University School of Medicine in 2006 where she quickly established herself as an exceptional clinician and leader. She is currently the Clinical Director and Anesthesiology Director of POD4, She is a graduate of University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) School of Medicine 6 year combined BA/MD program. She trained in anesthesiology at St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse, NY and then completed a year of specialty training at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. 

Good News -------Delivered!

If you're looking for Good News, Surgical Outreach for the Americas (SOfA) has a lot to share!

Whether you are a Philanthropist, Former Patient, Colleague, Family Member or Community Well Wisher, SOfA values your interest and support...

In fact, so many good things are happening, we've created some new electronic communications to share our Good News and reach out when our medical professionals or patients need a hand.

What can our Fans expect?

First, just a quick email now and then...

We think our generous donors will love seeing how their kind donations are helping people with serious medical needs. Trip reports, photos, patient stories. Good news for a change.

Second, we will send you an occasional invitation to our fundraisers. We hope to see you at every one, since it's never the same without you! Register, stop in - it's a FUN time for a worthy cause. We love to catch up with our old friends, make new friends and raise the funds we need to continue our surgical missions in Central and South America. We are a 100% volunteer organization and we are committed to spending every donation wisely.

Third. sometimes we need a little help from our Friends (of SOfA). We may ask for underwear, socks, medical supplies, stuffed animals...when you can help - respond quickly! We so appreciate your generous support! If the timing is "off" or or request isn't a good match for you - we understand! Send a cheerful thought our way and above all, please stay on our email list - so we can continue to stay connected!

Your caring support allows us to provide medical care for under served communities in Central and South America. Our mission continues to expand because of YOU and we want to share the stories of hope and gratitude of those we help with those that make the SOfA mission possible.

We hope you will join us at SOfA's Trivia Night, Saturday, November 16, 2019.

IYour Friends at SOfA

Dr. and Mrs. Carcamo visit from El Salvador!

SOfA Welcomes Dr. and Mrs.Carcamo visiting from El Salvador !

It was with great honor that Surgical Outreach for the Americas hosted Dr. David Carcamo and his wife Morena in May of 2018 in St. Louis, MO.  Dr. Carcamo  specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is administrator of Hospital de Maternidad la Divina Providencia in Texacuangos, El Salvador.  Because of the generosity of Dr. Carcamo, and the connection afforded us by Dr. Peter Danis and his St. Louis based mission team, SOfA has been serving in El Salvador for the past three years.  We are grateful to Dr. Carcamo and his wife for accepting our invitation to visit St. Louis.  The operating rooms of both St. Mary's Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes Jewish Hospital, provided Dr. Carcamo the opportunity to observe gynecologic procedures, including robotic GYN operations.

Dr. Joseph Hurley and his wife Ellen graciously hosted the Carcamos during their stay in St. Louis.  Along with the working aspect of the trip, we also had the opportunity to show the Carcamos our great city.  We attended a Cardinals baseball game, toured the AB Brewery, the Cathedral Basilica, Lone Elk Park, the Gateway Arch, the Art Museum, and much more.  Several group dinners and a final sendoff party at the Frisella's were highlights of the week.

We are eternally thankful to Dr. Carcamo for the opportunity to work in his hospital.  The friendships and bonds we have formed are extraordinary.  Because of our combined efforts, hopefully the world will be just a little better place, and patients will receive care that may otherwise have not been possible.

SOfA is planning to return to El Salvador in 2019 to continue our work under the direction of Dr. Carcamo.  Thank you David and Morena for sharing your time with us and for being great partners in our quest to deliver surgical care in an area of need.

Left to Right - Dr. Carcamo, Ellen Hurley, Dr. Molly McCormick, Carla Nitz
Wes Vega, Peggy Frisella, Dr. Joseph Hurley, and Morena Carcamo

At the Cards game with Dr. Hurley, Dr. Carcamo, Leslie Steele
and her husband, Morena Carcamo, and Ellen Hurley



PHOTOS FROM HOSPITAL VISITS WITH DR. CARCAMO

                    

Sendoff Party for the Carcamos!

So many stopped by to meet and greet the Carcamos.  

Pictured from L-R - Chris Mihill (KMOX), Carla Nitz,
Morena Carcamo, and Wes Vega

From L-R - David and Morena Carcamo,
Wes Vega, and Trish Tully

From L-R - Kathy Wennemann, Ron and Jenny Wedepohl,
Diane Carter, Tom and Patti Dunn

On the deck - from L-R - Ellen Hurley, Ruth Huebner, Rose Winter,
Peggy Frisella, Liz Frei, Herb Huebner, and Dr. Cynthia Wichelman (

2018 El Salvador Mission: Highlights

El Salvador Mission: Highlights

Jeanie Fry, Lecturer Gall Bladder topics

One of the many highlights of this years' mission to Hospital de Maternidad in Texacuangos, El Salvador, was the nurse's lecture provided by Jeanie Fry, one of our volunteers.  

Jeanie put together an excellent talk entitled "Preoperative and Postoperative Care of Gallbladder Surgery Patients".  Her talk was presented at a local hospital and was well attended as you can see by this photo.

Dr. Brent Matthews lectures on Hernias

Dr. Brent Matthews also delivered an inspiring lecture to local medical students and surgery residents in training.  This lecture is always a big hit, with the focus on hernias.



Education is one of SOfA's primary goals, along with providing surgical care for those in need.

Dr. Molly McCormick with families.

Nurse Pam comforts a patient

Dr. Hurley examines a child's hernia.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make El Salvador 2018 a huge success.

TEN YEARS AND GROWING!

In February Surgical Outreach for the Americas
completed its 10th year of service to the people
of the Dominican Republic. I took a moment to 
reflect not how grateful I am personally for the
opportunity that the Institute for Latin American
Concern, Creighton University, and the administration
of ILAC in Santiago, Dominican Republic have 
provided SOfA to interact and care for those in the
ILAC community in need of surgical care.

Ten years of partnership, successes, and in total
 over a decade of work in the Dominican Republic
 would not be possible without the efforts of so many
 people, both here at home in the US and in the DR.

This year's group of health care providers was fantastic.  We worked hard and also managed to have some fun by attending a baseball game played by the Águilas Cibaeñas, the local team vs the Tigres del Licey from Santo Domingo.  It was a great time and further strengthened our bond with the people in this amazing community.

These photos preserve our great time together !



MORE INFORMATION:

https://www.creighton.edu/ministry/ilac/. 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TRIP #10 - one week away!

We are one week away from our 10th trip to the Dominican Republic - our team of 19 will depart on Saturday, January 27th - during our one week stay we will operate Monday through Friday - our primary focus will be hernia repairs for those without access to surgical care for their hernia disease.  I say disease because here in the United States, a hernia repair is generally a benign (or somewhat, but not always of course) procedure that one recovers from rather easily.  In countries where hernias are left unattended for years, and often from birth, they become more complex, and impair the lives of those patients who live with the chronic hernia.

Please keep us in your thoughts and send positive vibes our way to ensure a successful week.  We are grateful to all of you for your support over these past ten years.  SOfA is doing great things thanks to all of you! Below is a happy patient.  He did well from his hernia surgery, and left the clinic with a new pair of briefs (to help contain the fresh incision), a new blanket (which often serves as their new mat on a dirt floor), a new pair of socks (because patients do not go back to the operating room on a stretcher - they WALK - thus a pair of clean socks), and, if you're a kid, like Jose' below, you get to choose a stuffie (all of these items donated by ALL OF YOU!).

I get choked up when I think of how so many contribute to make all of this happen.  We will update you on our progress next week......

Peggy Frisella

You won't Believe What We Just Received!!

Now that the temperature has dropped, wouldn't we all love to be in Florida!?!

Come to Trivia Night and bid on a fantastic condo available for an 8 day, 7 night stay!

Details to follow. 

Dear Friends of SOfA -

We are one month away from our annual Triva Night and Auction to benefit Surgical Outreach for the Americas.  We still have tables - and would appreciate your support.  This is a fun evening - with free beer, soft drinks and popcorn, and lots of fun games and prizes.  Thanks to everyone who has already given, this will be a great evening - and even better if we see YOU there!

We have accomplished so much due to your generosity.  New OR lights, anesthesia machine and sterilizer for Hospital de Maternidad la Divina Providencia in El Salvador.  None of these extras would have been possible without the support of each of you.  See you on December 1st!

SOfA Has A NEW Home!

On Saturday, September 30th, with the help of Dr. Jared McAllister, Katie and Michael Scaggs, Sara Feaman, and Joe Frisella, SOfA moved to a new headquarters on North Broadway - with more storage, great security, and easy access.  Attached are some photos of the "empty" store room, and a few of the group as we moved into our new digs.  Thank you to so many who offered to help but had previous plans due to short notice.  We appreciate all of you so much!

you. 

Hurricane News - Santiago, Dominican Republic

Friends, I've been in touch with the ILAC ( Institute for Latin American Concern ) Center and all is well following the recent hurricanes to brush Northern Dominican Republic.  Many of you have been asking about potential damage to the clinic and operating rooms, and at this posting, I'm happy to report, all is intact. We are looking for ways to contribute to those affected most profoundly in Puerto Rico, as several of our immediate and past teams either live in PR or have family there.  Updates will continue, as this is my first blog post on the SOfA Website.  Peggy

Our Mission . . .

Excerpt from Trip Report:  Our first mission trip to the Dominican Republic was in 2009. While it was OUR first experience, the road map by which we traveled had been well established by I.L.A.C., Institute for Latin American Concern, back in 1972. Originally developed for religious groups to offer opportunities for priests, seminarians and students to experience the problems of people living in developing nations, over the years this focus had been expanded to include a variety of services and surgical specialties to include SOfA's (our) hernia repair focus.

Our small team arrived and were humbled by the extreme level of appreciation that we experienced during the week.  Prior to the trip, we each had our own vision of what we would see and experience. And while each one of us would likely share similar stories as they related to our personal interactions with the people of the Dominican Republic, without exception, we would each say that we experienced a level of “conscientization” that the original founders of I.L.A.C. intended. And while some would say that we gave of our time and talents, we would say that the gifts we received were far greater than anything we could give.

In 2009, in our first year, we completed 56 hernia repair surgeries and 5 small procedures.

Since 2009, SOfA has completed annual mission trips to the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. We organize small groups of volunteer surgeons, nurses and medical professionals to perform basic, but life changing surgeries.