(January 10, 2012) 

Anesthesiologists needed to join an orthopedic surgery mission to Loja, Ecuador with Operation Rainbow, June 8-16, 2012.  Operation Rainbow (www.operationrainbow.org) is a non-denominational, nonprofit, non-governmental organization dedicated to performing free orthopedic surgery for indigent children and young adults in developing countries worldwide who do not have ready access to specialized orthopedic care.

This is our second Operation Rainbow trip to Loja so we are familiar with the hospital and the local personnel.  There are two OR's, and the hospital has a NICU, ultrasound and a CT scan. The director of the hospital is an anesthesiologist.

Loja is located in the extreme southern part of Ecuador in the Andes at about 7,000 feet, and the climate is mild.  Planned team will include at least two anesthesiologist (bring a resident if you like), three orthopedic surgeons, two orthopedic fellows, two O.R. nurses, two O.R. techs, three PACU nurses and two support staff/translators.  The patient load will be mostly children, but may include some adults as well.  Participants in the mission will also be expected to teach the local physicians and nurses, both by working together, and by lecture format.  You must be skilled, hard working, flexible, be a team player and have a pleasant personality.  Previous mission experience and Spanish speaking are considered a plus, but not required.  Ability to do regionals/blocks/peds much appreciated.

For more information, contact Team Leader, Dr. John Herzenberg (Baltimore, MD)  jherzenberg@lifebridgehealth.org.

For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists Web site at www.asahq.org. For patient information, visit LifeLineToModernMedicine.com

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