A team of residents accompanied by Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology Nick Algarra, MD, traveled to Porto Viejo, Ecuador, to assist the La Vida Medical Center.
Dr. Algarra and residents Leon Anijar, MD, Rhae Battles,MD, and Sindhu Nimma, MD, helped provide anesthesia for pediatric and adult orthopedic surgeries. The majority of the cases were the repair of club feet in children and ACL reconstructions in the adults. The team spent five days working at the clinic and had one day off to explore the city of Quito.
Mission trips like this one provide a unique and enriching experience to residents who contribute as anesthesiologists and medical “diplomats” to fellow anesthesiologist and patients in a developing country.