Doctors, Surgeons, Nurses, Anesthesiologists, Techs and Me

A few years ago I traveled to Dominican Republic to photograph International Surgical Foundation‘s endeavor to help a few people with severe medical issues. It was an amazing experience to be in the surgical room, in scrubs, and so close to something so amazing. I just recently did it again and it just still amazes me. What happens and how it helps and changes the lives of people is off the charts. Here is just a sampling of what is going on currently and how and where they are involved–URGENT.

The number of people involved to make this happens is astounding. Truly. It is dozens from around the world. People from Jamaica, Bermuda, San Francisco (me), Arizona, Michigan and of course the locals in Santo Domingo. The handful of surgeries done by this group will help change the lives of many and provide a future when there may not have been one. It gives hope to see people volunteer to make a difference.

My Role

My role is pretty minimal in the scheme of things, but it is an honor to document the stories of this amazing group of people as well as those fortunate to be in their care. The stories this time range from a man who fell two stories while trying to clean gutters and drove himself to the hospital to Yasmeli, the girl that was the incentive for Dr. Duane Pitt to begin this huge undertaking.

Yasmeli finally got to have her surgery this trip. Sadly, because the scoliosis had progressed so far in the past two years, she will be permanently in this condition. It didn’t have to happen but this is the way it kind of goes when you don’t have the money. Currently, because of complications from her surgery, she is in Arizona thanks to donations that were able to bring her here. It is a lot of a girl who is just 13 to go through but I will tell you she is one strong girl. Please take a moment to check out International Surgical Foundation and you can follow the story of Yasmeli on their Facebook page.