RESULTS 1600 patients evaluated 1000 prescription glasses & sunglasses dispensed 85 cataract surgeries provided - able to perform 68% more cataract surgeries than in 2013 (thanks to additional donations) 50 Ultrasound examinations Medical education with hands- on training provided for: –4 resident physicians –18 graduate students –4 undergraduate students Student-organized patient education workshops: –Dental hygiene –Back exercises to prevent low back pain –Hand washing International health symposium for local physicians and patients Research projects on portable ultrasound & malnutrition PURPOSE This organization provides an annual cataract surgical and medical mission to the Sacred Valley of Peru and nearby regions. OUR TEAM Volunteer physicians Nurse practitioners & nurses Allied health professionals Students from Stony Brook School of Medicine & Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Masters in Public Health students SUNY optometry students Undergraduate students BACKGROUND Cataracts: leading cause of blindness in middle / low income countries 80% of all visual impairment can be avoided or cured Unequal ophthalmology access in Peru (75% of Peruvian ophthalmologists work in Lima, where only 25% of the population resides) SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS Trip provided excellent hands-on learning experience in how to conduct comprehensive eye examination in Spanish (aided by Quechuan translators) Gained familiarity in travel clinic setup Became quite comfortable with medical history taking in Spanish Experienced truly grateful and satisfied patients (see below) Changed targeted specialty for residency and fostered strong interest for future experience in global health Supported by: Rutgers RWJMS Office of Global Health Stony Brook University School of Medicine Dr Victor Rozas of Peruvian American Medical Society Dr Francisco Morales of Wiñaypaq Association Pro Human Development Helena Van Engelen & Foundacion Ninos del Arco Iris Dr Frilo Silva & Caprese Eye Clinic Cuzco and Surgical Eye Expeditions of Santa Barbara, California JetBlue Airways A Promise to Peru: Cataract Surgical & Medical Mission Rebekah H. Gensure, PhD Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ Patiently waiting Patients traveled for hours, often by foot, to reach our clinic. The line for patients waiting to be seen often stretched out the door to the hospital and around the corner even before our team arrived for the day. CONTACT INFO For more information: Our mission has been featured on Medscape: Cataract surgery in tandem With a split OR setup, our team was able to perform two cataract surgeries simultaneously. Dedication to patient care Dr. Joseph Ng, MD, a critical care intensivist who monitored patients before and after each case with ophthalmologist Dr. Michael Sable, MD, shown here with a patient getting ready for surgery. Above: Stony Brook M4 Mari Yasunaga demonstrates dental hygiene for children in Sacred Valley region Below: RWJMS M2 Sanjay Jumani tackles patient education with students from Niños del Arco Iris. PERSONAL MOTIVATION & GOALS Interested in global health & travel Background in Spanish language (>12 years) but no prior formal travel abroad experience Want to learn more about ophthalmology Wanted to get familiar with conducting history & physical exam in Spanish Eager to learn more about Quechuan culture