Last Day of Surgery - Lots More to Do

Within the next several hours, the surgical phase of World Journey of Smiles will be over. Well over 4000 children will have been safely operated upon with most, long since discharged from the hospital, back home and starting a new life filled with hope and plenty of laughs. The mission continues however, both in the short and long term. Over the next several days, our perioperative crews will be cleaning and packing supplies, separating those that will be donated to each site and those that must return to headquarters to be cycled, serviced and made ready for the next missions. Our post op teams will be receiving patients next week to make sure that everyone is healing well and understands what is needed for continued follow up. Long term planning has begun in earnest for amplifying our comprehensive care center concept. Educational exchanges have been planned and our research efforts for genetic analysis will get underway soon after we return. Much has been accomplished over the last 10 days with so very much more to do as we move forward together.

- Dr. Randy Sherman