Download About the Project - A Promise To Peru

Thank you for your interest in A Promise to Peru, Inc. and our cataract surgical and medical
mission to the Sacred Valley region in Peru and other regions in need. This is a project that
is constantly evolving as we face challenges in helping improve the lives of people who live
in medically underserved areas. Case Western Reserve University Medical School and the
Cleveland Clinic in Ohio originally started serving the Sacred Valley region with a medical
mission of their own. Dr. John Shanley and a few medical students from Stony Brook
Medical School in New York joined their team in 2010. John Shanley, MD, Debra Messina,
MD and Natalie DiGioia, MD subsequently established A Promise to Peru in 2011 and it is
now a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. These three physicians are on the Board of
Directors along with George Coritsidis, MD, Michael Sable, MD and Catherine Roberts. The
group has completed their seventh medical mission and their fifth year of providing
cataract surgery to the severely visually impaired. Our organization has established a
collaborative effort with healthcare professionals and physicians in Peru as well as nonprofit organizations such as the Foundacion Niños del Arco Iris, Surgical Eye Expeditions,
Peruvian American Medical Society, Friends North East International, Asociación Wiñaypaq
and Blanca’s House. Together we are working to improve the lives of indigent people in
South America. Furthermore, through screening patients for advanced cataracts and
providing cataract surgery free of charge, the project continues to build and advance
towards sustainable care. Since its inception, this project has been made possible by hours
of work and dedication by students, physicians, families and friends who have found a
common goal of reaching out to those in need and also learning from them the challenges
and the joy of providing care to a medically underserved populations.
We are truly grateful and humbled by the kindness and warmth we have received from the
communities both in Peru, Ecuador and in the U.S. and the friendships we have formed over
the years. Our hope is that you can bring your unique talents, skills, and passion to making
this project even more fruitful and that you will gain invaluable experience through this
effort.
Dates & Location of our next mission:
June 9– 17, 2017; Sacred Valley, Peru
Our medical team will host internal medicine, gynecology, dermatology, pediatric,
nephrology and ultrasound clinics. It will also be the location where our optometrists and
ophthalmologists will provide a full service eye clinic and where the ophthalmologists will
perform cataract surgery. All of these services will be provided free of charge to the
patients. Our team consists of physicians, nurses, allied health care professionals and
medical, optometry and allied healthcare students from across the United States who
dedicates their time and talents. Since the inception of our organization in 2011, our
portable eye clinic and operating room has examined over 4,000 patients, distributed 6,700
pairs of prescription glasses/sunglasses and performed close to 400 site restoring surgical
procedures. The portable medical clinic has administered health care to approximately
7,850 patients to people and performed approximately 250 portable ultrasound
examinations.
You are required to leave with the mission group from JFK International Airport, NY on
June 9, 2017, in order to pass through U.S. and Peruvian Customs. You may wish to travel
to Machu Picchu with other members of the mission after clinic ends on Friday evening,
June 16 for one night and either join the rest of the group traveling back to the USA in June
17 in the evening or you are free to travel around Peru.
About the Project
What do we do?
•
A Promise to Peru, Inc. has established an annual mission to the Sacred Valley of
Peru and other regions in need in an effort to provide the people in these areas with
health care and address public health issues. The mission takes place for one week
in June with the dedication and efforts of volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners,
nurses, allied health professionals from around the USA, students from Stony Brook
School of Medicine and other medical schools, Masters In Public Health students,
SUNY Optometry students, Allied Healthcare students and undergraduate students.
The medical mission offers general medical care as well as sub specialty care such as
dermatology, infectious disease, gynecology, nephrology and diagnostic
ultrasonography.
Where are we going?
Centro de Salud de Calca will be our primary base. The nearest major city is Cusco, which
is about 1 – 1-½ hours away by car. It is close to where Machu Picchu, the beautiful Incan
ruins and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is located
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274. The image below is of the town of Urubamba, the
Sacred Valley village.
Who is running the project?
The Board of Directors of A Promise to Peru, Inc. runs the mission in conjunction with the
assistance of the graduate students from various disciplines (medical, physician assistant,
nursing, optometry, etc.) and our mission participants. FNE International, a Boston-based
non-profit is also supporting the project by providing services regarding travel logistics,
community development, project sustainability, and institutional collaboration
(http://fneinternational.org).
We rely on the assistance of the volunteering physicians and allied health professionals to
actively participate in the preparation required for the trip, inclusive but not limited to
preparing lectures for the medical students on a topic relating to the conditions commonly
seen in Peru. The students are provided with a series of didactic lectures with topics
ranging from Diagnosis and Treatment of Cataracts, Common Eye Diseases, The Work Up of
Abdominal Complaints, Basic Principles of Ultrasonography and hands on experience to
name a few of the topics. We receive our funding primarily through A Promise to Peru’s
multiple fundraising efforts and the generosity of local businesses and medical practices.
These funds are used primarily for purchasing medications, supplies and equipment for the
cataract surgical and medical mission, which are then transported directly by the
participants of the mission to Peru. We have had several of our participants host fund
raising events in places such as Chicago and Connecticut to assist A Promise to Peru, Inc. in
raising awareness of our organization as well as funds. If any of you are interested in
hosting a fundraiser please contact one of the members of the board!
Why Peru?
Peru is a beautiful country with rich cultures and warm-hearted people, and we have been
fortunate to work with wonderful community leaders throughout the project. We chose
the location because one of the medical students who started the project got in touch with a
Colorado-based, family run NGO called Peruvian Hearts (www.peruvianhearts.org).
Peruvian Hearts offers support for orphanages and schools, providing nutritional and
educational support to people in the Sacred Valley region. They expressed the need for
healthcare for the medically underserved, and so a project was initiated to work with them.
Peruvian Hearts has introduced us to the mayor of Lamay, and community leaders in the
area, such as Edwin Gonzales, owner of one of the hotels where we stay, and also a
generous philanthropist. We have also receive great help from Dr. Victor Rozas from the
Peruvian American Medical Society in obtaining our letter of invitation from the Peruvian
Minister of Health and the temporary medical licenses to practice in Peru. Helena Van
Engelen and her team at Foundacion Niños Del Arco Iris (kuychi.org) have been
instrumental in providing logistical support with the cataract surgery mission and medical
mission. Her foundation provides education, medical care and daily meals to many uncared
for children in the Sacred Valley. Dr Frilo Silva and the Caprece Eye Clinic in Cusco offers
support as our host ophthalmologist. Dr Silva and his team provides the long term
postoperative cataract eye care that is crucial to our mission’s success. Dr Francisco
Morales a local internist aids our team in locating the patient communities that are in need
of health care and cataract surgery. Our physicians participate in an International Health
Symposium for local health care providers that Dr Morales and his organization, Asociación
Wiñaypaq coordinates while we are in Peru. SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL DE SALUD EN EL
VALLE SAGRADO
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.266859543498322.1073741856.10000522
8343422&type=1
Patient Care
What kind of patient population do we serve?
The majority of patients who come to us are farmers with limited access to medical care.
We see a lot of chronic diseases, such as musculoskeletal pain, as well as women’s health
issues, malnutrition, gastrointestinal complaints, skin problems and vision problems.
Upper respiratory infections are also common during the season we travel to Peru (it is
winter in the Southern hemisphere). Unfortunately, we also face many psychosocial issues,
such as depression, alcoholism and domestic violence. We manage these issues in
collaboration with the local health care workers, who understand the local culture and can
provide long-term follow up. We also rely on local doctors and nurses for acutely ill
patients who require hospitalization.
What languages do patients speak?
Most of the younger patients in the clinics speak Spanish, but many of the older patients
from the mountain villages speak a local language called Quechua. Foundacion Ninos del
Arco Iris provides personnel to translate between Quechua and Spanish. Spanish fluency is
very welcomed from our participants.
What medical resources are available?
We work in a very resource limited setting. For the most part, all we have is what we bring
with us in our own suitcases.
The medical diagnostic tools you have for the most part are what are in your white coat
pocket – stethoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes, and good history and physical exam
skills. We bring blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, glucometers, and medications with us
for the medical clinic and we transport an entire operating room and eye clinic to treat
common eye diseases and perform cataract surgery.
Imaging: We don’t have access to imaging facilities. Through the generosity of SonoSite, we
are able to transport two portable ultrasound units with us. This has enabled our
physicians to better diagnose the etiology of patients’ abdominal complaints as well as for
gynecological and obstetrical patients.
What do we do if the patients are really sick?
Depending on the site we are at, we are about 1 -3 hours from the major hospitals. If a
patient needs emergent medical attention, such as surgery, IV rehydration, etc, then we
would work with the local physicians to get them to the nearest hospital.
What if I get sick?
The diseases you are most likely to get are common colds and traveler’s diarrhea. Also,
since we are in a high altitude, there may be a need to take acetazolamide (Diamox) for the
first few days. Please make sure you have international health insurance coverage.
What would my role be in patient care?
This is flexible, depending on who else is there (or isn’t there) and what the staffing needs
are. We’d like everyone to use all your talents and make the patient care as efficient, safe,
and comprehensive as possible. To give you an idea, these are some examples of tasks you
would do:
Pre-clinical med students (1st year students): Assist with vitals, intake, taking history and
performing physical exam with either senior med. student or a physician. Help with other
areas such as the pharmacy or ultrasound. Present cases with the help of an attending or a
senior medical student. The student will be involved with the preoperative and
postoperative medical assessment of the patient, they will be able to observe cataract
surgical procedures and be involved in the pre operative ocular evaluation and post
operative care and management of the patient.
Senior medical students: They are precepted by a physician. They will supervise junior
medical students. Organize case presentations. They will also will be involved with the
preoperative and postoperative medical assessment of the patient, they will be able to
observe cataract surgical procedures and be involved in the pre operative ocular evaluation
and post operative care and management of the patient.
Physician advisors: See patients in various settings, precept students in clinic, help
coordinate didactics prior to departure, provide verbal/written feedback to students.
Nurses: Help with triage of patients, develop patient education material and programs, and
help with patient record keeping.
Non-medical support staff: Assist with translating, record keeping, educational material,
taking visual acuity, coordinating patient registration.
Please ask specific questions with regards to what your level of training and experiences
are, and we can answer case by case what you can do.
Eligibility
Who is this mission open to?
The trip is open to all medical, optometry, allied healthcare professional students,
undergraduate students, physicians, and allied healthcare professionals. Examples of
people who we are recruiting include but are not limited to:
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Eye specialists (optometrists, ophthalmologists, ophthalmic technicians)
•
Anesthesiologists
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Family Physicians, Internists
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Pediatricians
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Emergency Medicine Physicians
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Women's health specialists (Ob/Gyn physicians, midwives)
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Ultrasound Technicians
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Surgical Technicians trained for eye surgery
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Physical therapists
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Dermatologists
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Pharmacists
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Nurse practitioners/registered nurses/Operating room nurses
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Spanish translators (English-Spanish, Quechua translators)
What are the requirements for going this year?
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Attend the scheduled meetings
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Join at least one of the committees / projects in preparation for the trip.
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Work on improving Spanish skills as much as you can
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Be nice to the coordinators and submit documents / deposits / travel itineraries on
time…please!
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Act responsibly and professionally throughout the preparation, time in Peru, and
afterwards
Do I need to be fluent in Spanish?
The patients speak Spanish or a local language called Quechua. Although you do not have to
be fluent, all students are required to have basic Spanish skills. There is no Spanish
language requirement for physicians and other health care professionals. However, we
strongly encourage you to study as much Spanish as you can prior to the trip to be able to
provide the best care to patients.
Getting Involved
How do I apply to go on the next trip?
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Visit our website http://apromisetoperu.com/get-involved/
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Deadline for application submission is December 1, 2016
Travel Logistics
How much would it cost?
You are responsible for the cost of your travel, lodging and food. The estimated cost of the
trip for one week is $1,500 -$2,000 depending if you share a room with others & if you opt
to travel after the mission. A Promise to Peru, Inc. is not directly involved with the travel
arrangements, Elena Meehan of CD Travel Planners, 37 Polly Drive, Huntington, NY 11743,
631-673-7930, [email protected] is the agency we are asking your to use. They
coordinate Northport’s Students for 60,000 group trips to Nicaragua and come highly
recommended. They will book your flights and hotels for the mission. You are required to
leave with the mission group from JFK International Airport, NY on June 9, 2017, the group
needs to travel together in order to pass through US Customs and Peruvian Customs. You
may wish to travel to Machu Picchu with other members of the mission after clinic ends on
Friday evening, June 16 for one night and either join the rest of the group traveling back to
the USA in June 17 in the evening or you are free to travel around Peru.
Estimated Food Costs: ~$10/day (dinner), ~$7/day (lunch, this is included in your fees)
Lodging: details to follow.
How can a participant offset the costs of the trip?
The members of the board of A Promise to Peru recognize and appreciate the fact that you
are donating your time and talents to assist us on the mission, in addition to taking
vacation time and paying for your trip.
Below are some ideas/suggestions and options for partial funding for all participants:
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Create a Crowd Rise https://www.crowdrise.com/fundraise-and-volunteer/signupselect or Go Fund Me page https://www.gofundme.com for Friends and Family
members to support your philanthropic work!
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John Shanley, M.D. M.P.H Global Initiatives Award $500 link will be posted in mid December
Applicant must meet all of the following criteria: non physician, a non student and a
previous A Promise to Peru mission participant
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A Promise to Peru, Inc. Travel Award $250 link will be posted in mid December
Applicant must meet all of the following criteria: non physician, a non student and a
previous A Promise to Peru mission participant
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The Global Health Faith Award $250 sponsored by Anonymous Supporter
Criteria: Non-physician, http://apromisetoperu.com/2015/11/the-global-health-faith-award/
For Stony Brook Medical Students Only:
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Stony Brook School of Medicine Alumni Association International Travel Award
$500, Application due by: on January 8th.
http://alumniandfriends.stonybrook.edu/chapters-and-clubs
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Drs. Richard and Philip Messina Award for Excellence in Global Initiatives
http://medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/global_medical_education/application
$500, Application due by: on January 9, 2017
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Spatz Foundation Award for Interdisciplinary Team $750 contact Dean M. Sedler
For Stony Brook Nursing and Physician Assistant Students:
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Spatz Foundation Award for Interdisciplinary Team $750 students have been
selected by their Deans
For Stony Brook Ophthalmology Resident:
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Drs. Richard and Philip Messina Award for Excellence in Global Initiatives
http://medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/global_medical_education/application
$350 Application due by: on January 9th, the award is matched by the generosity of
the Stony Brook Department of Ophthalmology. Total amount:$700