Hand Surgery, April 2011

Germaine Fritz, D.O. hand surgeon from Michigan, came in April. I had recruited Germaine at the Health Volunteers Overseas booth in San Diego in February at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting. Germaine has been a volunteer with HVO on a number of occasions around the world, and I hooked her on trying Ethiopia. She came and was busy involved with patient rounds, lectures, surgery, Black Lion conferences and case presentations.

 Germaine and Janice

Tekelyn, a first year orthopaedic resident, was rotating through our department at the time and spent many hours in a one-on-one teacher/student relationship with Germaine. She has great depth of knowledge and has a most talented ability to teach. Her teachings were clear and concise and presented in a way that the recipient could recall the information on demand. She indeed has a remarkable teaching gift.  

 Don, Tekelyn, and Germaine

Janice Mitchell, a medical student from Texas was here at that time. Germaine mentored and encouraged Janice in her interest in OB-GYN. She has plans for an OB-GYN residency. Germaine’s humbleness and gentle manner have endeared her to us here at MCM as a special friend and the welcome mat is out waiting for her return.

—Don