Local physicians, volunteers go on medical mission trip to Ethiopia
Rotoplast mission to Africa
From left, Joanne McKechnie, Jean Bird and Dr. Stan Valnicek are part of a Rotoplast medical mission going to Ethiopia.
A group of local Rotarians and medical volunteers, led by Dr. Stan Valnicek of Kelowna, are heading to Ethiopia this month on a Rotoplast medical mission trip.
The organization, based in Kelowna, has done more than 1,000 free surgeries in Third World countries since 2004.
Valnicek has been a part of the organization since inception and specializes in cleft palate surgeries and burn repairs. He has volunteered his time with seven missions and will be the medical director and lead plastic surgeon on the November trip.
Rotaplast Canada has evolved from providing cleft palate, reconstructive and burn surgery to now responding directly to local needs.
The missions include full surgical teams, who also provide medical training on the ground in countries where they volunteer. The team has worked in Ethiopia, India, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
“To be able to bring these surgeries and expertise and this kind of care, it’s a great thing to be a part of. The patients are incredible, and incredibly grateful. We see lives transformed and restored — that is what keeps me going back,” said Valnicek in a news release.
“We are excited about the new direction Rotaplast Canada is taking in the area of education,” he added.
“Training local health-care providers in the regions that we work is what will make our volunteer efforts sustainable and most beneficial to patients and communities.”
Approximately 20 medical and non-medical volunteers go on each mission. Included on the 2014 mission team is young plastic surgery resident Dr. Sheena Sikora from the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
“These are very specialized surgeries that most patients cannot otherwise receive in Ethiopia. I am thrilled to be a part of this mission,” said Sikora.
Rotaplast Canada operates on the generosity of individual and corporate donors, as well as Rotary clubs in the Okanagan and Vancouver Island. This mission is also made possible from the support of a grant received from Rotary International,.
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