Orthopedic Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic
OUR HISTORY
Our partner and host, Centro de Educacion para la Salud Integral (CESI), or Misión ILAC, is based outside of the city of Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic.
Many Creighton-ILAC programs work closely with CESI’s rural health program and the Cooperadores de Salud, or rural health promoters. Beginning in 1982, CESI began working with rural communities surrounding Santiago to identify a cooperador in each community. The Rural Health Cooperador is a person chosen by each community, for their active participation and leadership, with the intention of coordinating the efforts intended to achieve improved health for the members of their respective communities. Cooperadores/as attend training at CESI in both health education and social sciences prepare them to better understand the community dynamics, and improve the ability of the communities to plan and respond to needs and emergencies. The Cooperadores Program represents a permanent commitment to healthcare and education in the Dominican Republic.
Mission & Partnership
Founding of the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) Orthopedic Program - 2003
The ILAC Ortho program owes its inception and remarkable growth to the visionary leadership of Dr. John Staeheli. In 2003, during the 25th-year reunion of the original ILAC summer program for Creighton medical students, Dr. Staeheli, who had previously participated in the ILAC program in 1978 and 1979, saw an opportunity to create a mission dedicated to orthopedic care in the Dominican Republic.
The ILAC Ortho program took its first steps in providing medical aid at Cabral Hospital in Santiago. Their primary focus was on providing intramedullary nails for tibia and femur fractures, as well as aiding victims of road traffic accidents, which had unfortunately become an epidemic in the Dominican Republic.
Establishment of ILAC Mission Clinic and Surgery Center - 2006
Building upon their trauma work, the ILAC mission saw remarkable progress in 2006 with the opening of the ILAC mission clinic and surgery center. This milestone required the accumulation of orthopedic equipment to be used for the initiation of an outpatient orthopedic mission. Creighton University was instrumental in supporting several surgical teams and medical groups using the clinic and surgery center.
Building Strong Connections - Collaborating with Local Surgeons - 2007
Dr. Staeheli's dedication to building strong relationships with the local medical community was evident in 2007. With the support of Dr. Jeremy Stern and other passionate individuals, he led the expansion of the program to include two operating rooms at the ILAC center, with a primary focus on knee and shoulder procedures. The program continued to flourish with the addition of 3-4 surgeons and appropriate staff to run three fully equipped operating rooms, as well as pre-op, post-op, and sterilization areas.
Building Relationships and Training Initiatives
Throughout the years, the ILAC Ortho program has fostered strong relationships with local orthopedic surgeons, the orthopedic department, and the orthopedic residents in the Dominican Republic. Dr Staeheli also began to host residents in the United States to attend courses in soft tissue coverage and the annual Sign Nail conference. These efforts fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect between the ILAC Ortho program and the local orthopedic surgeons.
Facing Challenges - Haiti Earthquake of January 2010
In January 2010, while the team was in the Dominican Republic for their annual mission, the devastating Haiti earthquake struck nearby. Despite the challenges posed by this disaster, the orthopedic mission continued its vital work with a team of approximately 35 volunteers, including surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, sterilizer's scrub techs, and other dedicated professionals. During this time, the team also continued to contribute to the education and training of Dominican orthopedic residents.
Yearly Missions and Impact - Continuing the Mission
Before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel plans, the ILAC Ortho program had maintained its yearly mission in January. Operating with three fully equipped operating rooms, the team would perform an average of 40-50 cases each year. Their dedication to the mission and collaboration with local medical professionals contributed significantly to enhancing orthopedic care in the region. Dr Dan Fitzpatrick had a team going to Haiti for many years but it was no longer feasible due to political unrest and turmoil. Dr Staeheli was looking for new partners to provide continuity. After a joint trip to Santiago and ILAC in February 2022 they felt that they could combine the two groups of talented and dedicated personnel. In 2023, the team underwent the difficult task of restarting the trip after a 2-year break from COVID.
Looking to the Future - Overcoming Challenges
Dr. John Staeheli's leadership has been the driving force behind the ILAC Ortho program's success. With his guidance, the program has touched the lives of countless individuals in the Dominican Republic. We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey.
The Restore Together Foundation for Care was founded in 2023 to raise the funds vital to continuing this incredible mission. Join us as we strive to build upon Dr. Staeheli's legacy, making a lasting impact on orthopedic care and fostering strong relationships with local surgeons at every step of the way. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need.