Team leaders Dr Paul Gilbert and Julie Anderson RN visit with the locals

With each mission trip, comes preparation and planning. Before our volunteers travel to the host country, a team including a surgeon, nurse, OR staff member, and interpreter visit our partner hospital. They look over patient case files and X-rays to identify surgical candidates, plan daily schedules and meals, secure transportation and find accommodations for team members. Below, Noemi Valadez shares her thoughts on the latest pre-trip to Havana, Cuba.

“First and foremost, I want to thank you for allowing me part of this pre-trip.

Havana was a great experience. On this trip, my responsibility was to obtain pictures of the hospital, equipment, operating rooms, patient rooms, and most importantly, translate. We kept a very busy schedule from the moment we arrived, a lot of information had to be gathered.

Dr. Balmaseda and the Minister of Health Department were so attentive, very humble, grateful, and always had a smile.

A staff member at our hotel told me "You are making a bigger impact than you realize, thank you all for your service.” 

This is our why.

Yours truly,

Noemi Valadez

Interpreter

Dr. Paul Gilbert and the Cuban Minister of Health, José Angel Portal Miranda

As the days of September rolled by, so did the equipment, instrumentation, and supplies in our warehouse. Each weekend our dedicated volunteers joined together to sort, label, secure, and pack the materials needed to perform life-changing surgeries during our mission to Cuba. As Dr. Dorr used to say, “We take everything from the implants down to the last BAND-AID.”

We were fortunate to have two special guests during one of our packing days, Operation Walk Angels Louise Melvin and Paula Paulus. Not only did they get a full tour from the Director of OR Services, Mary Ellen Sieben, but Paula served as our photographer as well. Below are her thoughts:

“Mary Ellen was most generous in taking out time to explain all the what’s and how’s and where’s. Packing for a mission is a huge undertaking but it all comes together with wonderful, smiling volunteers chipping in. Louise and I were so taken by it all. It makes our Angel donation so much more meaningful. Loved it!”

-Paula Paulus

Thank you to the Learning and Behavioral Center of Tarzana, CA for their generous donation, which we used to purchase electrolyte hydration packets for our upcoming mission trip to Havana, Cuba. 

The electrolyte hydration packets will keep our patients and team well-hydrated during our long days in the hospital and operating room. LBC is a Behavioral clinic that provides behavioral therapy, foundational skill workshops, social skills groups, camps, and tutoring services for children and young adults.

-Roshy Korsand

Donations Coordinator

Once again the students from Westside Neighborhood School come through to help patients rehabilitate after joint replacement surgery. 

Madison Yamaguchi and her classmates worked diligently to collect donations from families at WNS. Toiletry items including toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, lotion, and shampoo were given to help our patients on their road to recovery. Students assembled 60 post-op bags that have been added to our cargo and will soon be on their way to Cuba. Thank you to everyone who donated to make these thoughtful patient gifts possible.

In the next few months, we will let our Volunteers share their unique voices as we prepare for our return to Cuba. We will hear from both the experienced and the first-time volunteers and why they choose to support Operation Walk and its mission to restore mobility. 

First up, we introduce Dr. Russ Cohen, orthopaedic surgeon and long-time volunteer along with first-time volunteer physical therapist, Kathy Kilaghbian. 

"The invitation to join Operation Walk once again was met with great pleasure and excitement. This trip to Cuba will be my 5th mission with Operation Walk and the 8th surgical mission I will have had the pleasure of participating in. The honor of helping patients restore a more mobile and pain-free lifestyle is extremely gratifying and doing it for people who have very little chance of otherwise receiving this surgery makes it that much for special for all of us. 

As November in Cuba approaches, I am so excited to be with the incredible volunteers and a team of philanthropic individuals who find the same pleasure that I do in “giving back”. I am also looking forward to capturing the unique and beautiful sights of Havana from behind the lens, one of my main passions outside of work!"

Dr. Russ Cohen

Orthopaedic Surgeon

“I have been a home care physical therapist for over thirty years and have been involved with volunteer work in different capacities. However, this will be my first opportunity to combine my passion for volunteering with my role as a physical therapist. I am excited to learn from my peers who have done medical missions in the past and to see the direct effects of how our work can help those around the world in need.”

Kathy Kilaghbian

Physical Therapist

Jennifer Okuno PT walking with Jorge Manzanal post-surgery in 2022

"First of all, surgery is always worrisome. 

BUT, if you keep a positive mindset and attitude, you then have 99% of the battle won.

Today I am 77 years old and a couple of years ago, I received bilateral knee replacements in one surgical act from Operation Walk Los Angeles. All I needed to put to work during my recovery was patience and discipline. Patience because it took a long period of time. Discipline because the workout exercises must be done twice a day.

My Results- 8 months after surgery, I was able to walk without crutches. So every day I walk a mile to the outpatient clinic where I work as a psychiatrist.

What else can I say? I am sharing with you a photo I took at my front door today. 

I am a new old man thanks to Operation Walk.

From the bottom of my heart all my gratitude.

God bless you. God bless America"

Dr. Jorge Manzanal

Havana, Cuba.

Sept. 19, 2024

Jorge Manzanal today, in 2024

This month’s Time Machine comes from Mary Ellen Sieben RN, Director of OR Services. Mary Ellen has made sure that our cargo and our teams have come together successfully for over 20 years. Thank you Mary Ellen for helping us to start every mission out on the right foot.

Do you have a photo or memory to share about a past trip? Send your thoughts and images to cami@operationwalk.org and you could be featured in our next newsletter!