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Medical Mission to Dominican Republic

On October 19, 2008, David Chait, M.D., Associate Director of Boys Town Ear, Nose & Throat Institute, along with six additional medical personnel from Boys Town National Research Hospital, will travel to Santiago, Dominican Republic on a medical mission. This is a destination Dr. Chait has traveled four times before to aid children with ear, nose and throat disorders. “This year we will be performing surgeries for the first time,” says Dr. Chait. In the previous years, the mission trip only included medical examinations and consultations.

“These children live in a medically untreated population and this will be the first time many have seen a physician, said Dr. Chait. The service that we can provide can help these children live a more productive and healthy future.”

Children in the Dominican Republic who live in a family with sufficient financial resources may receive more standard medical care at the public hospital. Unfortunately, most children live in poverty and are unable to afford either medical care or needed medications. These children receive care by a ‘cooporadora,’ a farmer who is given first aid training to help his neighboring villagers.
The vision of Boys Town National Research Hospital is to strengthen children and families through life changing care. “Our physicians live the Hospital’s vision by volunteering their personal time, expertise and resources to aid many children world-wide that otherwise would not be able to access quality medical care,” said Patrick E. Brookhouser, M.D., Director of Boys Town National Research Hospital. “The Hospital applauds the dedication of our physicians and other volunteer members of our health care team who are willing to reach out to aid poor children in need.”
“Providing medical care to children in the Dominican Republic is truly a rewarding experience,” said Dr. Chait. “The mission itself is self-gratifying and the medical staff attending will make the trip all the more enjoyable.”

Traveling with Dr. Chait are Linda Smith, R.N., Jill Cochran, R.N., Trudy Ault, Surgery Technician, Joann Williamson, Central Supply, Jennifer Howell, R.N. and Elizabeth Cochran, M.D., Anesthesiologist.

In order for the medical staff to perform these surgeries, they must basically ship an operating room to the Dominican Republic. They must bring their own surgical instruments, machines and medication; and they must pay rent for the use of the 2 hospital beds and the hallway recovery area.

Dr. Chait and his team are looking to raise $15,000 to support their medical mission to the Dominican Republic.