MSMS Faculty Member Jami S. Smith, PA-C Travels to Guatemala as Part of Surgical Jornada

For the second year, an interprofessional group of healthcare providers traveled from Philadelphia to Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala to provide surgical care to the this lakeside community. 

The Interprofessional Group in front of Hospitalito

 In addition to Jami, the Academic Director at the Drexel University College of Medicine, Medical and Healthcare Simulation Program and a practicing physician assistant, the 16 member team was compromised of 2 surgical attendings, an anesthesiologist,  3 surgical residents, 3 CRNAs, and 6 CRNA students from the University of Pennsylvania.  

CRNA student provides post-operative care to a patient

Over a four day period the group performed 27 surgeries including procedures such as subtotal thyroidectomy, cholecystectomies, and hernia repairs. 

 

 

In addition to providing perioperative care, the group transported and donated much needed medical supplies to the hospital.  The group also visited a local school where they spent some time playing with the school children and then donated school supplies and toys.

The hospital is located beside a lake among a chain of volcanoes.

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