August 2012

 Kjell Kiplesund, my good friend and Norwegian trauma surgeon is returning to Norway. Kjell grew up here and speaks Amharic. We will miss him and his family but hope that he will be back before too long.

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Merrie and Merie Grace Harding visited us and Taye explained operating room procedures to an aspiring young surgeon.

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Dr. Andreas (hand surgeon) and Petra (hand therapist) from Germany did a number of complicated hand surgeries as well as grafts that were much needed.

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More Students. Annie Gilmour somehow got my name and came for 2 months. She is a medical student from New Zealand and has taken a year off from her studies to explore the world. She and a friend did “couch surfing” through Europe and then traveled throughout Africa then Annie settled here for several months on the Orthopaedic service. She is a fine young lady and will be a great physician.

Robert from Germany was here for a month. He was a good student and fun to work with. He is back in medical school in Germany. Annie, Robert, and the residents in clinic and a “thank you” cake for our time together.

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Heidi and Shairar from Norway. Both are medical students in Poland and came to experience Ethiopia. Shairar is originally from Sri Lanka but now resides in Norway. Greece: I had the pleasure of hosting these fine young medical students. They had come to work with an NGO and upon arrival were turned away as “not needed.” The Greek community rescued them and sent them to us for an Ethiopian Medical experience. Yannis Rantos, Apostolus, Giorgis were an enthusiastic group and a delight to work with. We hope they will be successful in their careers and will return to Ethiopia again.

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Commerative Symposium for the Grand Opening of the Myungsung Medical School: lots of big-wigs and lots of speeches.

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July 2012

Dick Koning a retired vascular surgeon from Bend, Oregon came for several weeks. Dick is a good friend and has been very active in bringing supplies and volunteers to MCM. He is also involved with autism work here and has been a key supporter in autism groundwork in Ethiopia. His group is sharing in our apartment.

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During the summer I had 17 students on our service. Countries represented were Ethiopia, U.S.A., Germany, Greece. Korea, Norway, Poland, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. It was rewarding working with these young people and seeing their excitement for medicine and for caring for ones less privileged. Carl Chotas, (Marshall University), Kari Neutzling,(Concordia, Minnesota), Tirset Mekonnen,(Johns Hopkins), Menachem Weiss (Ohio State) from the states; Kaeum Bae, (Bryn Mar), Jinkum Bae (Franklin Marshall) from Korea; Chanti Calais, Steve Morgan Loyola University and Rochester University, as well as Habtamu Bayisa and Yoseph Zekarias, residents from Black Lion Hospital.

 

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A press conference was held on the 26th for the new medical school. The school is opening to its first class in September.

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Oncology group: Julia Challinor (from Amsterdam) and Annete Galassi (from Washington) and Meron Legese returned establishing a tumor diagnostic and therapeutic program.

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COLLEGE PARK BAPTIST CHUCH – ORLANDO – YOUTH: The young people from our home church sponsored the youth mission experience. David and Merrie Harding were the coordinators of this team where they went to Southern Ethiopia and worked with Sports Friends and water drilling projects. They spent some time with us at MCM and worked with the children on the burn unit and at Alamachen Rehab Center.

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Return to Addis Ababa, June 2012

Barbara stayed in Orlando to be with our granddaughter and attend her ballet recital. I came back to get my group of students and the team together.

At this point for the summer I have the following:

Dr. Bae and Dr. Kim's children: Khan a sophomore at BrynMar and Jinx a senior at Franklin Marshall

Kari Neutzling, a Junior at Concordia College in Minnesota

Tirsit Mackonnen, a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins

Carl Chotas, a 2nd year medical student at Marshall University

Hailu, my colleague Orthopaedist

Yilikal and Tinsae, both residents from Black Lion

Wendu, my colleague Orthopaedist

Verena Peters (not pictured), an intern from Germany

Koreans in Orlando, May 20-24, 2012

Dr. Kim and Mrs. Lee (his wife) and Dr. and Mrs. Chang attended the Korean American Christian Medical Association meeting in New York and then came to Orlando, for meetings. George Stewart arranged a meeting with the University of Central Florida Medical School Dean (Dean German) and her staff to discuss areas of possible common interest. It was exciting to share with them as the MCM Medical School will open its doors to the first class in September.

Tuesday we had a party at our home for people who had some recent or past connection to MCM. Fifty people attended. The party was catered by Pearson’s Catering. It was a joy to reunite with so many friends and to share them with our Korean guests. Wednesday, was a meeting with Florida Hospital, arranged by Montey Jacobs, who has been working with Florida Hospital on their Ethiopia project. Dr. Kim spoke at our church and met many of our friends. Thursday they departed for New York. Barbara was so happy to be able to have the Kims and Changs visit in our home and meet our Central Florida friends. She even provided Kimchi to make them feel at home!