Blessed to have been able to go on a mission trip to El Salvador in 2024 with Austin Smiles Plastic Surgery Foundation when I was a resident. I would like to stay engaged with the organization and continue serving; however, this time as a board certified anesthesiologist. Largely, I see my role as offering anesthesia services to the selected patients in order to see them through the perioperative period while prioritizing safety and efficiency while supporting the team any way I can while we are there.
Many of the patients there would otherwise not have access to these types of specialty surgeries both from an expertise - and financial - standpoint.
Many of the surgical patients - most with cleft lip/ palate - benefit both cosmetically and functionally from what I’ve seen on my past trip with the organization. These benefits can be lifelong. I was able to recruit a nurse and CRNA couple to travel with me (one who has a repaired cleft as well); I hope to improve our working relationship on the trip and back home for patients.
We had the privilege of joining the Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation for a trip to Veracruz, Mexico, to help children with cleft lip and cleft palate. What an honor it was to help these little ones and their families navigate the peri-operative period in the hopes of providing life-changing care. I also had the chance to introduce a trusted CRNA and recovery nurse to their first mission trip; an added bonus. A huge thanks to the Doximity Foundation and Austin Smiles for allowing me this opportunity!
