Historic First Surgery in India done by Christian Health Service Missionary Surgeon

As the director of the Christian Health Service Corps, I am amazed at the talented people God continues to call to serve with us around the world. Our missionary staff can serve for as little as 2 years to a life-time! They are often the only access to care for young families in poor communities. In 2015, I had an opportunity to spend time in Bangalore India with our missionaries Dr. Derick and Dr. Vivienne Mendonca. It was incredible to see the transformation in the lives of so many children! One of the child surgeries represented a historic first for both Christian Health Service Corps and for India. In 2015, Dr. Derick Mendonca was the first surgeon to perform endoscopic cranial surgery on a child in India. This procedure, which separates fontanelles that close prematurely on infants is commonly done in the USA. However, it represents a first for healthcare in India. Dr. Mendonca remains the only fully trained pediatric craniofacial surgeon in Southern India. I look forward to returning in August of 2016 to help Dr. Mendonca facilitate a cleft palette outreach in a remote under-served area. It is estimated more than 200 children need cleft repair surgery in this remote area.

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