RICHMOND, USA — Bon Secours St Mary’s Hospital in Virginia has partnered with World Pediatric Project, also based in Richmond, Virginia, on a pediatric scoliosis mission from November 10 to 17 to St Vincent and the Grenadines.
At a clinic established at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, a team of Bon Secours-affiliated pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and nurses will perform eight spinal fusion surgeries, as well as examine and treat roughly 60 young patients suffering from scoliosis or other orthopaedic conditions. In addition, orthopaedists living throughout the eastern Caribbean region will travel to Milton Cato for hands-on training by the Bon Secours team.
“Scoliosis is a debilitating condition that in many cases threatens the everyday lives of young patients, as well as the financial health of their families,” said Chester Sharps, MD, a Richmond pediatric orthopaedic surgeon who is leading the mission team. “We are fortunate to partner with World Pediatric Project to care for these patients whose condition might otherwise be left untreated. We are also appreciative of Milton Cato’s medical staff who are so eager to collaborate with us to improve the lives of their patients.”
Scoliosis – or curvature of the spine – affects lung function; if left untreated, scoliosis tragically impacts a child’s quality of life through poor health, limited mobility and embarrassment caused by social ostracism. In 2011, World Pediatric Project performed its first scoliosis-specific mission to St Vincent and the Grenadines; through generous support from Bon Secours, the scoliosis mission returns for a second consecutive year.
World Pediatric Project is one of the few humanitarian organizations dedicated to improving lives in the eastern Caribbean; this includes providing care to underserved patients, as well as providing on-site training to local doctors and medical personnel.Caring for these young patients does not end on November 17. Through on-site education and training during the weeklong mission, Sharps and his team ensure that their eastern Caribbean counterparts are given the knowledge and resources to care for their own patients, once the mission team has returned home. Through telemedicine, Sharps communicates with these patients and local staff on pre-surgery and follow-up evaluations, reviewing x-rays and advising local physicians on treatment.
“As a mission-driven health care organization, Bon Secours provides compassionate, world-class care to children not only in central Virginia, but around the world,” said Toni Ardabell, CEO, Bon Secours St Mary’s Hospital. “We are grateful to World Pediatric Project for allowing St Mary’s the opportunity to help these children to receive the medical care and services they need.”
The 2012 scoliosis mission is World Pediatric Project’s ninth orthopaedic mission to Milton Cato.“World Pediatric Project and Bon Secours share similar missions of building healthy communities by healing children and families in need,” said Susan Rickman, president of World Pediatric President. “We thank St Mary’s and Dr Sharps and his team for donating countless hours and resources to improving the lives of these young patients. Our partnership with Milton Cato Memorial Hospital is strengthened through the invaluable training and guidance they can give to local medical teams. We look forward to seeing the miracles that result from this mission as these children’s lives will be greatly improved.”
