Experience beyond words.

The mission in Nablus, as well as the one in Hebron have come to an end. I have had a great honor of working with the Nablus team. Getting to know the team and working closely with everyone was very fun, rewarding, and allowed me to learn a lot more than I thought I would. I truly enjoyed being able to successfully coordinate the little things that needed coordination during the Nablus mission. It was a great time getting to also work with the local team. I was able to talk with nurses, and other medical staff who work on daily basis in Rafidia hospital which inspired me and allowed me to appreciate all the work they do everyday.

The director of Rafidia Surgical Hospital invited the PCS team along with other visitor medical teams that were holding their own missions during the week for a ceremony of recognition. The ceremony was rather thoughtful and very much appreciated by us all. The relationships built between the local hospital team and the visiting teams are promising of a bright future. It was very delightful to see the bridge of communication, cooperation and hard work being connected between the two teams. I had the honor of translating the many thanks, respectful words and appreciations between the two teams, allowing such valuable communications to take place.

(R:L) Dr.Nasr and a local nurse

Although the week was tiring and overwhelming at times, it was the smiles on the parents' faces after the surgery is over that put all the physical exhaustion away. The value of all the work done is inexplicable. I know how proud and grateful I am to be a part of this team that is helping so many children to have a better life. Being able to contribute to helping my people is the least I could do.

In such a short time, the team became a family, a group of friends that supports one another and works very well together. These are the little things that added to the great outcomes we have had. Building relationships, cooperating and working towards one great goal is very rewarding, I can very much get used to this!

Carolyn working hard :) 

Being in the OR is one of the many things I will always remember from this experience.  Although it was my first time, it felt very natural and came easy to me. I had fun getting to see how the magic is done! I loved how close to the end of the mission I could estimate how much longer an operation will need, how the process of finishing up is, and many other small things that I have learned.

I now know that I will always work to help Palestinian children in one way or another, wether by becoming a surgeon or doing volunteering every now and then, or becoming a coordinator, or whatever I may end up, I know I will carry this experience with me.

I can't wait for the rest of the internship where I get to work on the ongoing research by Hala Borno along side Sarah Zamamiri (the other intern this summer) as well as many other tasks I will partake.

Dr. Libby and I during a quick break.

Mission in Ramallah

The screening day in Ramallah was held on Saturday May 19th. We screened a total of about 73 patients and it was wonderful to see so many families relieved that their child was being evaluated by doctors across Palestine and America. Seeing this makes me grateful that I am a part of the PCS and excited for another screening day on May 25th.



Reham Zetawi giving children balloons and toys on the Screening Day.


Surgery days in Ramallah were long and tiring, but definitely worth it. Monday and Tuesday (May 21st &22nd) were those days. Working with the surgical team was thrilling. Seeing the work they do is remarkable and I have learned so much from them. As an intern, my duties consisted of completing files, talking with patients' families, and taking pictures of the patients and families. In between the surgeries, I met with the families. Meeting and talking with them made me realize how much this society does not only for the children, but also for their families. It is amazing to be a part of a life-changing process.

Ramallah surgical team

Left to Right: Dr. Wa'el Halaby, Dr. Ayman Bukaie, Dr. John van Aalst, and Dr. Mahdi Shkoukani 

Hospital Kuwaiti in Ramallah

Mission in Nablus

My name is Muna Aghaalnemer, one of the interns with PCS for this summer. I am working in Nablus as part of the mission group. The mission consist of Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus. The mission in Nablus has finished its second day today, May 20th. Despite the short time, I have already learned of the numerous ways this great organization helps Palestinian children. The screening day was Saturday, and it was such a productive day, filled with patients of all ages along with family members. It was very rewarding to see the gratefulness of their faces. A total of 74 patients were screened, checked and given care.

Today was the first day for surgeries, in Rafedia Hospital. The surgical team completed a total of 6 surgeries and another 6 will be done tomorrow.  As an intern, I have been doing numerous tasks including completing paper work, taking pictures of patients, helping with families as well as many others small tasks.

I have gained so much respect for this organization, and I am beyond honored to be part of it. I have learned so much about this amazing field and I cannot wait to learn more to be able to give and help as much as I possibly can. Making a change in someone's life is the thing I always aim to achieve, and I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful team.

First Day

My name is Sarah Zamamiri, one of the PCS interns, and I have always dreamed of the day I would go to Palestine and help my people somehow. I guess dreams really do come true.Yesterday (May 15th, 2012) was my first day as an intern and though the mission has not started yet, I felt like I have already made a difference. Just helping set up the new center, filing paper work,  and preparing the registry for the new incoming patients, has made me appreciate what the Palestinian Cleft Society does and the impact it makes on children's lives and their families. I look forward to starting the mission and being a part of the extraordinary work that the PCS does.

PCS updates and developments

Patient Care

23/4/2012 at PCS center. Screening day for 14 cleft patients from different cities in the Palestinian territories.

العناية بالمرضى

23/4/2012 تم تقييم 14 مريض في مركز الجمعية من اماكن مختلفة  من فلسطين لتحديد موعد للحالات التي بحاجة الى عمليات جراحية وتدخل من قبل الفريق.

Clinic

Opening of the new dental clinic: The PCS clinic will take care of the dental needs for many cleft patients for free. Dr. Wa’el Halaby is seen examining a patient.

افتتاح عيادة الاسنان في مبنى الجمعية لرعاية مرضى الشفة الارنبية وسقف الحلق المفتوح. تمنح العيادة رعاية اضافية ومتابعة اكبر من قبل فريق الجمعية المتخصص .

Education

 

14/4/2012-Basic Life Support (BLS) Training was provided in Hebron University with the cooperation of the Palestine Friends Society in Jerusalem and Al-Ahli Hospital. A total of 18 people were trained..

توعية صحية

14/4/2012 ، برعاية اوبيريشين سمايل وجامعة القلب المفتوح وبالتعاون مع جمعية اصدقاء المريض –القدس، جامعة الخليل ومستشفى الأهلي تم تدريب 18 شخص مجانا في جامعة الخليل عقدت دورة تدريبية حول الانعاش الاساسي.

 

 Preparation of the Center

PCS is preparing the Center to be more comfortable for patients and guests.

تجهيزات المركز                                            

 تقوم الجمعية بتحضير المركز ليكون اكثر ملائمة وراحة للمرضى والزوار.

PCS preparing for may mission in  Hebron, Nablus and Ramallah.

تحضرالجمعية لإستقبال الفريق الطبي المتخصص  في شهر أيار الحالي، حيث سيتواجد الفريق في ثلاث مدن الخليل، نابلس ورام الله لتقييم الكثير من الحالات واجراء العمليات الجراحية والتجميلية اللازمة لمرضى الشفة الارنبية وسقف الحلق المفتوح.

Upcoming Events

Ramallah, Palestine, Palestine Red Crescent Society Building at 7 PM: May 18, 2012 - Dinner Event – Palestinian providers come together to celebrate all the efforts of the Palestinian Cleft Society.

أنشطة وفعاليات

فلسطين، رام الله، مبنى جمعية الهلال الأحمر الفلسطيني، الساعة السابعة مساء.

18/5/2012-حفل خيري للجمعية ( لقاء للمتخصصين والمهتمين /عشاء،  ومحاضرة علمية)