This has been Mary Carol Todd’s third CHW medical mission but the fourth time she has stayed here at the basilica. The other time was when she came down with another group on a medical mission to see how they were doing things and what she might be able to learn. Those that know her know would not be surprised by that fourth trip, as she is always looking for ways to improve things.
She has been the co-leader with Susan Whitten and clinical lead for each of the three missions. In each she has continually sought feedback and tried to change processes so that things would run better and better. Following are some of our thoughts regarding that journey:
“We were very much novices the first year and many things we did wrong were due to a lack of experience. I had personally had never done anything like this in another country. Each year we have come to understand more things about the health system and the people we are serving down here and each year we have been able to improve our service to them. Because of these improvements each year has been a better clinical experience for those who come to serve as well as for those who receive our service.
“Some examples of our improvements include the year to year refining of the list of medications we bring down and making them more consistent. The quantity of drugs we bring has also been better. The education has improved because we have gained a better understanding of the culture and needs of the people. And, the process for the clinics has improved with regular small tweaks as well as the larger change of brining the clinics to us.
“Specifically concerning our decision to move the clinics closer to us, it has been so much less tiring this year. When the clinicians are less tired they can better serve the people. The other good thing was having a day of preparation right after we arrived. That decision turned out to be extremely important this year, especially with the customs situation. If we had not had the extra time we would have had to cancel the first clinic day. Also, it really helped our people to get here and get centered for the task ahead.
“The final thing I was really happy about was the education of health promoters. They started out a little hesitant but as the day wore one they became fully engaged. While they did not become fully proficient they got the basics down. And it will be interesting to come back and see how they have progressed.”
In years past Mary Carol has regularly been seen holding and caring for little babies. This year was no different; she held the little ones at every possible opportunity. The really neat thing about watching her hold a child is to see the change that comes over her. When she is in the clinical setting she has a laser focus and determination to make everything come together. However, when she holds a child in her arms you can really see her compassionate spirit and it is as if that child momentarily becomes her whole world.
“I know others have discussed the septic baby,” said Mary Carol. “For me, the reason that situation really stood out is that our actions came as a direct result of knowledge that was acquired in the CHW clinical innovations sepsis mission possible program. Once we identified that the child may have been septic we implemented the sepsis protocols and I think it may have saved his life. Later it was a really neat experience to see him doing better in the hospital and then yesterday he was discharged and the mother brought him by the centro de salud, it really came full circle.”
“One other experience that really stands out is the boy who came in with club feet yesterday. Last year we were able to connect a little girl named Juana with another group that was doing surgeries and get her feet fixed. Her mother became angry with us because we took away her livelihood (her mother used Juana to beg for donations). When the boy came in we asked if the mother was sure she wanted to proceed with helping him get his other foot fixed and I was worried about what the answer might be. The mother looked up and said, “of course I want to have it done, I want to help my child.” At that moment I was so overjoyed because I know we can help him get the care he needs.
“Finally, I would like to say that the team was absolutely amazing. An experience like this really brings out the best of CHW people who feel a sense of connection to the mission. And I think once they are here it deepens their own connection to CHW and its mission. It is wonderful to be part of something like that.”
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