Dr. Jay Lieberman, Podiatry Surgeon, along with Dr. Michelle Gerdes, Podiatry Surgical Resident on staff at Northwest Medical Center, recently returned from a three-day trip to Merida, Mexico, in the Yucatan, during which they provided free extensive medical and surgical services to 57 crippled children.
Two other medical residents along with Dr. Charles C. Southerland, Founder of the Barry University Yucatan Crippled Children Project, were also part of this trip. Every year, four trips are made with Podiatric Surgeons and Podiatric Surgical Residents donating their time and expertise to perform surgery and run a clinical in the Merida area. Dr. Gerdes chose this worthwhile cause as part of her senior resident project.
Yucatan patients waiting to be seen
The trip and surgeries can only be performed with the generosity of multiple organizations donating supplies and money. Northwest Medical Center proudly donated all of the medical and surgical supplies necessary for this trip, as well as covered the travel expenses of its podiatry surgical resident, Dr. Michelle Gerdes. Dr. Lieberman graciously donated his time and covered his own travel expenses.
Dr. Jay Lieberman (4th from the left) with his crew
With a total of six steamer trunks, the five of them transported the equipment necessary for the screening and treatments. Assisted by two local anesthesiologists, a physical therapist, nurses and women volunteers, Dr. Lieberman and his crew were able to screen a total of fifty-seven children, and perform an average of twelve surgeries per day. Through the goodwill of these physicians and facilities such as Northwest Medical Center, these children receive medical care not otherwise available to them.
