University News

UVA Surgery Team Fixes Smiles a Half-World Away

A University of Virginia surgery team recently returned from a mission to Giridih, India, where caregivers used their talents to repair facial deformities and scarring for 60 community members without access to hospitals or advanced care.

The School of Medicine’s Department of Plastic Surgery, Maxillofacial and Oral Health has partnered with Virginia Children’s Connection and the Rotary Club of Giridih, India, more than 30 years, traveling to remote areas with the aim of changing lives.

Group photo of the UVA surgeons in the UVA Hospital

Back in Charlottesville, the surgery team gathers in the hospital for a photo. Front row, left to right: Stacy Williams, Samantha Mason, Tracy Bennett. Second row, Emily Yanoshak, Dr. Gabriella Squeo. Third row, Dr. Thomas Gampper, Dr. Jessica Pawly, Dr. Jonathan Black. Back row, Dr. Luke Poveromo, Dr. Scott Jossart, Dr. Josh Mann. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Dr. Jonathan Black, an associate professor of plastic surgery and pediatrics, led the team. UVA Today asked him about the experience.

Q. What kinds of surgeries did you and your team perform?

A. While we offer many types of reconstructive procedures, our focus is on cleft lip repair and release of burn scars and contractures (shortening of muscles, tendons or soft tissue that prevents normal joint movement). One hundred fifty patients were screened and over 60 patients were treated surgically with a dedicated team of nurses, physicians’ assistants, students, therapists, anesthesiologists and surgeons.

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Q. What were the biggest challenges you faced?

A. The biggest challenges we face actually occur prior to us leaving. We spend months collecting supplies, obtaining visas, acquiring vaccines and medications to protect ourselves, and working with our local support to ensure the logistics behind the safe travel of our team and our patients who need to reach us.

Once there, the biggest challenges are providing safe, effective care for patients with an unknown medical history, and facing the reality that we don’t have the capacity to treat everyone.

It is very, very difficult to turn people away.

Dr. Jonathan Black and nurse Tracy Bennett with a family in India

Dr. Jonathan Black and nurse Tracy Bennett pose with a family who brought a young boy in for surgery. (Contributed photo)

Q. What did you, and particularly the students traveling with you, learn from this experience?

A. Our students and first-time team members learn how to properly care for patients in a resource-depleted environment very different from what they are accustomed to in the U.S. They are always surprised by how many elements of care coordination are taken for granted in our system.

I personally have learned how impactful a small group of people can be. Even when a community such has Giridih has issues bigger than what we can solve, we can make a considerable difference in people’s lives with our skill and dedication.

Q. What was the most rewarding part of the journey?

A. The most rewarding part is always helping people in the way we know how when they would otherwise receive no help.

Improving both function and the social damage from disfigurement changes the course of people’s lives. People are often outcasted by the conditions we are treating, and we give them new hope.

In this environment, we achieve these goals in high numbers, but it helps to better understand how we have the same impact on our patients at home.