COME WORK AT MUTOMO HOSPITAL KENYA! WE NEED YOU!!!!

I have NO IDEA how such a little hospital in the middle of nowhere Kenya manages to recruit some top surgeons and dentists from all over the world, but they do. The Sisters of Mercy who run Mutomo Hospital must have a direct connection to God and Sister Mary, the director,  must have the red phone hidden somewhere in her office.

Maria is one such surgeon, a colorectal surgeon to be exact, who is one of the most humble, brilliant and capable people I know. She would argue with me (the humble part) BUT I have seen her at work. She is also the funniest person I know, which is why I love to hang out with her. Check out her blog and you will see what I mean (wanderdoc.blogspot.com). She also HATES to have her picture taken so I was lucky to get these.

Dr Maria discharging a happy patient
Mya (Swedish surgical resident assisting)

Maria teaching Mya to look for placenta previa

Mutomo waiting area
(check out Maria's blog for more pictures)

Maria nonchalantly pulling something out of someone's
eye. He smiled saying "THANKS, MUCH BETTER"
afterwards and walked away...no pain meds.
I would have needed 20 mg of valium to lie there!

I was also able to meet with the Mutomo directors to discuss their needs for a rehab team. Maria and the other surgeons are adamant they need a PT, OT and ST (Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech Therapist) on their team. They see a lot of trauma fractures, burns as well as general medical patients that are in great need of rehab especially after surgeries.

Meeting with the directors
Sister Mary to my right

I have to admit, this would be one fun place to work. There is such a good team of professional Doctors rotating in that it would be a phenomenal experience for anyone. Mutomo Hospital has a HUGE potential for anyone who wants to set up a rehabilitation department and likes to problem solve. This would be a great project. There is ample space with good access to the outpatient and inpatient wards as Sister Mary showed me.  It would be a place where you would be soo welcomed and anything you could provide re teaching to the staff would be greatly appreciated. No red tape here!

Dr Alexander and Maria at work 

removing a surgical dressing from a new skin graft

radial and ulnar fracture
(there are no ORIF's done here)

Manually reducing the above fracture
(remember the old time "bone setters"?)

Despite being such a small town, there is ample social renewal after hours. The staff and team are social and welcoming. We had a rotating BBQ on the back porch of someone different every night (the Doctors and staff live in houses in the same compound all a few feet from each other) Anita, the director of the HIV program, is not only an incredible director, she is also an incredible COOK!

Anita and her "spread" 

the best burgers I have EVER had! 

small kitchen, BIG food 

a nightly scene

I did manage to do some shuffle jogging, baking, sleeping and laughing while here. Here are some scenes from town...it has an old southwest feel and the terrain looks and feels like Sedona in the USA. Though it is warm (90's) during the day, it cools off nicely at night.

views from my run 

morning sun 

sedona?

nice colors 

odd trees with goats for good
measure 

at least I ran first 

Now some views from town! Everything is within 10 min walking distance including the bank, the market, the "stress free" (nice restaurant) a seamstress, pharmacy, leather worker, fruit stand and general store. I felt like I was walking through an old western movie! It was so quaint and people are very friendly here.

Like Maria said, lots of donkeys

Maria's house helper

old clapboard shops 

the town well 

The town Saturday Market
 (quite big when it is open)

One of many seamstresses who will make whatever
you'd like 

Sneaking a peek at me!

Buying things for supper
Imagine doing this daily! How nice! 

SOO COME ONE COME ALL! Anyone interested in volunteering through CMMB to work here should contact the CMMB office via their website CMMB.com. You can also contact Sister Mary directly...I have a feeling if you use the red phone, she will answer right away!