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.
Confident, comfortable, and competent was my impression as they welcomed the new people, but I knew they were here to perform and I prepared to do the same. Once we entered the hospital and greeted our hosts, a tremendous transformation occurred as we all swung into action. Within hours we had screened, selected, prioritized and even operated on our first patients. Over the next days, 4 operative rooms, performed over 50 operations with precision and safety, it was focused, friendly, and fast work.
The patients did routinely well as the recovery and floor staff took over, it was simply a celebration of giving the gift of mobility to beautiful people without hope otherwise. So many wonderful people, so many great moments and memories. Everyone felt it and everyone knew they were part of something special.
Surgery, diplomacy, fun-life at its very best!
