In the morning we went to the hospital to say our goodbyes, and to take care of a couple of minor medical problems for a couple of friends. From there we went to the mask shops in Mamba Point and made a few purchases before going back to the hotel to relax before heading to the airport. Aaron and Philomina will be heading back to the US directly from Brussels, while Sam, Santiago and I will take a few days to see some of the sights of Paris before going home.
This was another very successful trip by whatever measure of success is used. We did a large volume of surgery, and I think the level of complexity was higher overall. Resident involvement in our cases was at a high level, and I believe our active involvement in the teaching program was appreciated. With the upcoming Presidential election and the certainty of a change in management at JFK, we have been concerned about what our role will be at JFK in the future; while there is still uncertainty, I’m fairly certain that whoever is in charge will recognize the value of our work and want us to continue. And on a personal note, while I have celebrated some wonderful birthdays in the past, this one clearly topped them all !!
