We packed up our things, and then went to the dorm for breakfast and to say goodbye to Sotu who did such a wonderful job cooking for us during this trip. Then we went to the hospital to collect our empty duffles from the conference room, and to say our goodbyes.
In the OR, Dr Mcdonald came up to see the work John Wasik had done. He cleaned up and transformed the old fistula room back into a working OR. The anesthesia machine in their now works, there are 2 Bovies that work, and the overhead surgical light works. Two of the JFK biomedical engineers were there who have been working with John, and I think they have a new sense of the importance of their work. Dr. Mcdonald tested Leon to see that he knew how to work the anesthesia machine, which he did, and she then told him it was his responsibility to use it, to teach others on it, and to make sure that he used the biomedical engineers to keep it in working order. In other words, as I said to him, that machine is his baby and he needs to take care of it. I think that maybe I haven't talked about Leon before: he is a young Liberian who trained as a nurse anesthetist in Morocco, and just started at JFK a few months ago. He is clearly smart, and organized, and I think he will be a good leader despite his young age.
While we were up in the OR with Dr. McDonald, Dr Joseph Kerkula stopped in to say hello and goodbye. He is an ophthalmologist and county medical officer in Buchanan, whom I met in CT when he was staying with my friend Karen King earlier this year. We were unable to organize a trip to Buchanan on this visit because of time constraints and our schedule, but we will try again for September. Joseph suggested it could be a more official visit where we might do cases at the hospital there; Dr. McDonald was quite enthusiastic about that possibility as a means of strengthening the reputation of JFK as a referral center. We shall see how that works out.
After another stop in the surgical unit on the 2nd floor, where we met Francis and his mother on his way out. He is the young boy with the possible Burkitt's, and whose pathology we will all be anxiously awaiting to see. We gave the nurses more ostomy supplies, for which they were profusely grateful.
I met with Dr. McDonald to talk about this trip and future plans. She expressed her tremendous gratitude for all that we bring to JFK on these trips: supplies as well as talent, inspiration and teaching. I told her that I see significant progress at JFK in many areas. There are a number of bright lights among the physicians and other staff such as Dr. Borbor, Dr. Phil Ireland in the ED, Dr. Gbozee who is a smart and eager surgical intern, and Leon among others. I am heartened that they are developing the nucleus of a group who can lead JFK to the next level of re-development as a referral hospital. We discussed some other matters such as future directions for JFK as well as us, and then we all piled into the van to go to Mamba Point. We stopped at the shops and bought a few things, and then had a delightful final lunch at Lila Brown's, across the street from the Mamba Point Hotel.
As usual, I am sad to leave, but pleased that we had such a successful trip. We leave feeling good about what we have accomplished, and full of hope for future visits.
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