Lynn and Mona traveled to Guatemala City on Tuesday morning April 19, 2005. When they arrived, Lynn presented at the Centro Medico Hospital on Flexor Tendons with a hands-on workshop. The evening culminated with a dinner and formal inauguration and the signing of the official papers for the Guatemala Hand Therapy Society. The Guatemalan therapists were inspired by Lynn’s commitment and dedication to hand therapy in Guatemala and she was named honorary member.
Society Members and Dr. Lopez
On Wednesday we met with representatives from the Guatemala Pediatric Foundation and Dr. Lopez to begin to organize our two-day conference. Following breakfast we met with the current Mayor’s wife, Patricia Escobar Dalton De Arzu, who was the first Lady of Guatemala from 1996-2000. She is committed to improving the care of the children in Guatemala and we will be working on some details for future common goals.
Thursday was very exciting; we met with the current first Lady, Mrs. Berger, at the Presidential Palace. After being interviewed by her staff, we had the opportunity to present our foundation to Wendy. She will facilitate entry of all donated supplies and companies that are willing to bring their technology to Guatemala. We will partner in educational projects such as training Guatemala physicians and therapists. They will recommend cost effective ways to secure medication and operating room space as well as helping us “get the word out” to those in need of our care.
GHHF Visits Burn Unit at Roosevelt Hospital
Before we departed on Friday, we met with Dr. Lourdes De Santizo at the burn unit in the Roosevelt Hospital set up by Physicians for Peace last August. They are very well equipped by both supplies and dedicated staff. At this point, they are in need of continued training and are looking forward to developing a relationship with our foundation. Lynn spent a few hours assisting them in the care of two children with severe burns to the hand. This will be one of the centers that our hand therapists will rotate at during our mission.
