International Service
Each year, the Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery at Loyola organizes a surgical mission trip to Santiago, Dominican Republic. Established in 2009 and coordinated by Dr. Andrew Hotaling in conjunction with the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC), the trip includes a team of surgical attendings, residents, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurses, audiologists, medical students, and support staff who travel to Santiago to provide both clinical and surgical services to the underserved population in the region.
Fundraising efforts take place year-round, culminating in the week-long service mission. Donors for this mission have included the Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball, Loyola University of Chicago, USAID, FedEx, and many local businesses. Donations have included anesthesia machines, an operating microscope, IV fluids, and medications, and an endoscopic system. In addition, funds have been utilized to triple the capacity of the recovery room.
Fundraising efforts take place year-round, culminating in the week-long service mission. Donors for this mission have included the Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball, Loyola University of Chicago, USAID, FedEx, and many local businesses. Donations have included anesthesia machines, an operating microscope, IV fluids, and medications, and an endoscopic system. In addition, funds have been utilized to triple the capacity of the recovery room.
The trip incuded 29 members in 2009 and forty-one in 2010. In a one-week period in February, 2010, the team was able to see 488 patients in clinic, perform 120 audiograms, provide six patients with hearing aids, and perform 130 surgeries, ranging from myringotomy and tube placement to adenotonsillectomy to parotidectomy and thyroidectomy.
Fundraising and planning efforts are ongoing for the 2011 mission. For information regarding the Loyola ENT Surgical Mission Trip, please contact Janet Lancsak in the Loyola ENT Department Office.
