Volunteer Surgical Team Returns from West Bank

NORFOLK, VA (11/03/2010)(readMedia)-- In response to the healthcare system in the West Bank and its need for assessments, surgical treatments and educational exchanges, Dr. Eid Mustafa led a Physicians for Peace (PFP) mission to the region from Oct. 13 to Oct. 22. The mission included clinical and education components and focused primarily on diabetes and specialized surgery.

Since 1988, PFP has conducted 20 medical programs in the West Bank under the leadership of Mustafa, a plastic surgeon from Wichita Falls, Texas, and longtime PFP volunteer.

"This mission is the continuation of our tradition in focusing on education," Mustafa said. "The team worked flawlessly together, and with our local hosts."

On the mission, team members worked in multiple locations, including Jerusalem, Ramallah and Nabus. They participated in three symposia, including the local medical association's annual meeting, and presented a variety of treatment options for diabetic patients.

"We always try to introduce a new technique when we work in the West Bank," Mustafa said. "This time we introduced a noninvasive vascular laboratory technique, a first for the area. The technique is a significant leap forward when it comes to screening patients with vascular problems, particularly diabetics, because you're able to get more information without using needles or radiation."

While the focus of the mission was diabetes and specialized surgery, team members also discussed other pertinent health issues with their in-country peers, including burn care procedures and neonatal resuscitation. The team included the following PFP volunteers:

• Dr. Mahmoud Aqel, internal medicine, vascular medicine and wound care, Wayne, N.J.
• Dr. Simrit Bhullar, internal medicine, Dublin, Ohio
• Nahla Khoury, Ph.D., pharmacy, Wheeling, W.V.
• Dr. Rajai Khoury, cardiovascular surgery, Wheeling, W.V.
• Shireen Khoury, medical student, Wheeling, W.V.
• Donna Kocher-Burns, RN, vascular technology, Wheeling, W.V.
• Stacey Mohammadie, student, Plano, Texas
• Dr. Eid Mustafa, plastic surgery, Wichita Falls, Texas
• Dr. Fayez Shamieh, neurology, Lake Charles, La.
• Dr. George Tawil, urology, Washington, D.C.
• Dr. Rundsarah Tahboub, internal medicine, Columbus, Ohio

Mustafa and members of his team are available for interviews. Contact PFP for information.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace is an international non-profit organization that mobilizes volunteer healthcare professionals to assist developing nations with unmet medical needs and scarce resources. Through effective, hands-on medical education and training, clinical care and donated medical supplies, Physicians for Peace develops long-term, sustainable, replicable, and evidence-based programs to help partner nations build medical capability and capacity to help themselves. Since 1989 Volunteers for the 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization have conducted medical missions in more than 60 countries.

With its headquarters in Norfolk, Va., Physicians for Peace has programs in 22 countries and offices in the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. In 2009, the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary. For more information, go to: www.physiciansforpeace.org

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