Volunteering in Africa: an orthopaedic surgeon-pilot flies to Africa to volunteer.
I lived a dream. After 45 years service as an orthopaedic surgeon, a career military officer, private practice, and an appointment to the faculty at Duke University, I retired to begin another career--volunteerism. Specifically, I volunteered to serve at Tenwek Hospital in Africa. Tenwek, a World Medical Mission Hospital, is a 4-hour drive west of Nairobi, Kenya. The hospital serves 400,000 Kenyans. Tenwek is a wonderful hospital, modern by African standards, well-equipped and staffed. The average daily orthopaedic case load is five to nine cases. Fractures, sepsis, and deformity are the usual surgical challenges. An essential part of the dream was to commute to serve-to fly myself across the Atlantic, through Europe, and on to Africa in a manner reminiscent of aviation pioneers long past. This portion of the dream was not realized completely, but was sufficiently achieved to appreciate the accomplishments and difficulties of those who went before. For me, my dream was realized. Volunteer service brings heartache and joy but adds a special dimension to our profession. The motto "We make a living by what we earn, we make a life by what we give" was reinforced each day.
Feagin Jr
John A
JA
Duke University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, Durham, NC, USA.
D003906:Developing Countries; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D009985:Orthopedics; D008921:Religious Missions; D014838:Volunteers