Skip to contents
In This Issue:
When Jill Antoine, MD, came to BWH a year ago, she hoped to continue one of her passions – providing free anesthesia services to children and adults in third world countries. Antoine quickly found support from BWH’s Charles Vacanti, MD, chair, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, and she then reached out to Medical Missions for Children.
Upon scheduling the first mission in August 2004 to Quito, Ecuador, Anotoine called on her residents to become involved. “I wanted the residents to become involved because it is so very important for doctors to reach out to their community and also to the world,” she said. “Quite often, physicians forget about providing their services to those who otherwise could not afford medical care. My hope is that residents who get involved now will always remember the less fortunate.”
Nicole Boler, MD, chief resident, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, accompanied Antoine for the August mission. “Nicole did a fantastic job,” Antoine added. “She provided anesthesia services for over 81 procedures performed during our five day visit.”
Anesthesia was given to 55 children for the most common surgical procedure performed – cleft pallet. “Without the surgery, babies cannot eat because they are unable to suck,” Antoine said. “When the first mom falls into your arms thanking you over and over, there is just no experience like it.”
Supplies, medications, equipment and traveling expenses are all paid for by those on the mission or donated from companies. “Nurses call up vendors and ask for bandages, and our airline allowed us to each bring an extra piece of luggage to save on shipping costs,” she said.
With plans for adding several more annual missions over the next few years, Antoine hopes that more residents will consider making the trip. “By spending a week on a mission, our residents can make a world of difference.”