When we traveled to Havana, Cuba, in November of 2019, we had no idea that a whole year would go by without us being able to travel and perform life-changing operations. In the month of giving thanks, patients Teresita and Pavel messaged us to let us know how they are doing post-surgery:
“We do not forget you, we follow on Facebook everything you do and we share it with pride. You are always present in our thoughts with a very important place in our hearts. You just celebrated Thanksgiving, which gives us one more opportunity to thank you for what you do for humanity. I am already at one year after my operation and I am very happy. A big hug for you and the dedicated team of doctors, nurses, physiologists, and all the staff.
Hugs and kisses.”Teresita Fernandez
Dr. Richard “Dickey” Jones was a football letterman for the Florida Gators and was Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha distinction from the University of Florida College of Medicine. Following residency at Parkland and UT Southwestern Dallas Texas, Dr. Jones did a fellowship in joint reconstruction at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry, England and acted as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery for the U.S. Army at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He served as Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Dallas V. A. Hospital for 35 years.
Dr. Lawrence Dorr invited me to join the April 2019 mission to Havana, Cuba, my first with Operation Walk. Not knowing what to expect at the initial meeting, I was introduced to the entire team, nearly 60 strong, many who had known and worked with each other several times prior.
This month we’d like to spotlight Board Member Mr. Gordon Penharlow. He writes: “As we are all aware, the world can be a difficult and sometimes painful place. The work Larry and Jeri, and of course, the others involved in Operation Walk have been doing makes the world a better place for those they help. Continuing with this work and expanding it to include more patients will result in a better future for many people. My goal is to help as best as I can to make certain that this work continues.”
Terre L. Osterkamp, M.D., was raised in Mason City, Iowa. She attended University of Colorado for undergraduate school and then attended USC Medical School for her medical degree. She did her residency in Obstretics and Gynecology at LAC/USC Medical Center. Terre was in private practice for 32 years in La Cañada and admitted her patients to Huntington Memorial Hospital and Verdugo Hills Hospital. After retiring from her practice, she was asked to be Clinical Director of Ob/Gyn Services for the ChapCare organization and its eight clinics. She is presently working there part time.
I hope all of you are staying well. A year ago we would never have dreamed how our lives would change. This pandemic, like those in the past, will change the way we do things, but will not change the human spirit of helping others. I have been in constant contact with our colleagues in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Cuba. We are comparing statistics, treatment protocols and other information on how are countries are dealing with COVID-19. We are disappointed that our missions did not work out this year, but we all commit to getting back to the patients waiting for us as soon as it is safe to travel again.