I am a family medicine physician that does point of care ultrasound (POCUS). I will screen patients that come to the Winneba, Ghana Hospital to be evaluated as part of the Ghana Make a Difference Medical Mission. I will screen patients and either treat them with resources that I bring to Ghana or refer the patient to the surgical team that comes on the mission with me. With my POCUS skills, I will characterize any masses or use the ultrasound to perform ultrasound guided procedures. I have done this medical mission with this NGO for 6 years and personally see 60-200 patients per day for the week I am there. https://www.midwestern.edu/alumni/alumni-spotlights/blake-boggess
The patients that we treat come from all over southern Ghana along the coastal region. These patients do not have the financial resources to pay for the surgical services that we provide. By providing POCUS services, the patients are able to save the cost of imaging and helps the surgical team plan for their surgery for hernia, lipoma removal, goiter, etc.
I work along side local physicians and have donated 3 ultrasound machines over the years and spend time teaching local providers the skills of POCUS.
Founded in July 2012, Ghana Make A Difference (GMAD) is a humanitarian
organization whose core mission is to protect vulnerable children, preserve families, and
build long-term self-reliance through shelter, education,life skills, and comprehensive
medical care. GMAD works extensively to rescue children from forced labor trafficking,
abandonment, or extreme hardship, providing them with a safe haven while
coordinating family reintegration or permanent placement. Beyond child welfare, the
organization runs regular high-impact medical, dental, and surgical missions to expand
healthcare access and combat treatable medical hardships that disrupt local
communities.
Continuing this vital healthcare mission, a group of 45 of us did a recent medical trip to
Ghana—conducted in collaboration with the Winneba Trauma Hospital and the
Ghanaian Health Service—delivered life-changing care to over 600 patients. The team
performed 156 major procedures, including 78 plastic surgeries, 64 hernia repairs, and
14 thyroid surgeries. Additionally, a dedicated breast cancer screening campaign
evaluated 92 women utilizing local nursing staff, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and
formal radiologic imaging. Through coordinated patient navigation with GMAD social
workers and local specialists, four high-suspicion cases were successfully identified,
biopsied and sent out for pathology testing to ensure timely follow-up and
treatment.
