In 2007 we did our ninth mission in association with the Rotary Club of Ndola, Zambia and the Hindu Samaj of Ndola. ISMS is grateful to the great support it received from the Rotary Club of Riverhead, NY. The Rotary Club of Riverhead contributed a grant of $ 35,150 towards equipment and medications to be used in this mission and donated to the Ndola Central Hospital. Near midnight the team has finally secured of their equipment in the operating room of the hospital and reported to their hotel to sleep.

The team departed New York on Thursday March 22nd evening to arrive to its destination on Saturday 24th evening.  During these 48 hours the team had to travel with 39 pieces of luggage that contained their equipment to Amsterdam, Nairobi, Mali, and Lusaka.  This was followed by a 6 hours bus ride, with challenging restrooms, to our final destination, Ndola.

On Sunday morning the team split into four groups; 1. The three CRNAs, Bob, Mike and Chris prepared the operating rooms with modern anesthesia equipments and monitors. 2. The operating room RNs, Grace, Ellen, Erin, Stephanie, and Jane unpacked and organized the central supply area and staked the operating rooms with needed supplies.  3. Recovery room nurses, Maryellen and Eileen prepared the recovery room for the weeklong endeavor. 4. The physicians, Medhat, Ravi, Joe, Rajesh, and Vito headed for the clinic to screen patients and prepare the schedule for the week.

On daily basis tens of patients waited patiently to be seen by our team.   Many of the patients and their families waited in the hospital yard in the shade to avoid the heat of the day. To avoid confusion, patients selected for surgery were fitted with bracelets that had in addition to their names the diagnosis and the date of surgery.

Date of Mission: March 22 - April 2, 2007

Number of cases: 80

Type of cases: The team was faced with some of the most challenging cases of advanced cancer and reconstructive surgeries they ever faced. The experience that the team gained over the years made it possible for them to meet the challenge with determination and knowledge. Photos below reflect some of these cases.

Members of the mission: Medhat Allam, Ravi Kothuru, Bob MIneo, rajesh Patel, Vito Alamia, Joseph DeBellis, Grace McCarthy, Maryellen Spandonsi, Erin Herfield, Christopher Torres, Michael Sherwood, Erin O'Driscoll, Stephanie Porey, Jane Snyder, Eileen Brierley.