FEB-B-8
FURTHER INTEGRATION OF THE MALAWI TRAVEL PLANS
AND COORDINATION OF THE STUDENTS AND ADVISORS
IN ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
From: Glenn Geelhoed
To: "gpoehlman@ec.rr.com".IA4GW.Harper
Date: 2/21/03 11:50AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: need details of visit
Thanks, George!
Yael has, I believe, fixed the itinerary (attached, as Feb‑A‑10) and reservations for me, Virginia and Harolyn to accompany each other (and big bags of medical supplies) out on the April 25th flight she suggested, but it has not been ticketed until the March deadline she suggested, pending the concordance with everyone copied on the "CC" above.
If you might forward the usual "missionary letter" to Yael, it may clear us from this end, and a similar letter for Kevin with a travel itinerary that he has yet to arrange, Informed by this letter forwarded to him, he and I will try to work out with Yael the arrival dates you suggest, as well as my advice that he call her after trying to extend his stay into the first week of May. I have tried to clear permission for him to postpone or substitute the first week of his Medicine clerkship through the Dean's office, since then he would be the single student I could focus on during that time after Amy returns after you toward the US.
By copy of this letter, i wil try to see when the Peds residents are planning to come and where they will be, given your additional information you have furnished about Eckwendeni.
My colleague Doug Soderdahl has spoken with the chief of surgery in Lusaka, Zambia and there has been a request for me to help there sometime in the future (?2004?) perhaps in conjunction with my next visit to Embangweni. I have written a letter (attached as Feb‑A‑8) to set up such a mission, perhaps to offer another venue in any future time of congestion from multiple trainees applying for Malawi.
Thanks for your letter and its very practical advice, which I will implement and immediately ticket the itinerary suggested as soon as it is greeted with the understanding of all parties and schedules. I will make it easier for Yael by puting all four of us (in the "second wave") on my AmEx card for starters to immediately ticket the itinerary posted.
Thanks again!
GWG
>>> "George Poehlman" <gpoehlman@ec.rr.com> 02/19/03 07:53PM >>>
Glenn ‑‑ I will be in Lilongwe the 18th, 19th and fly out the 20th. If Kevin wants to come in the 18th (what airlines comes in on the 18th ?) or the 20th (the British Air flight that John and I will be taking out on the 20th) I will see that he gets to Embangweni either by bus or car. I might have a rental and would bring a driver that could drive him up that Sunday or if he can get in the 18th and wants to go directly to Embangweni I can put him on the bus. Actually, I will probably be coming down to Lilongwe on Wed evening the 16th to meet with Peace Corps, UNC and UNICEF, etc. so if Kevin could get in on the 17th I could get him to Embangweni even sooner. Since Amy will still be there she can show him the ropes and once we are there I will work out exact plans for John to come back to Lilongwe either Wed with me or via bus on Fri or Sat.
Glenn, have you given Jodi exact dates (do you have your tickets ?) and do you have a letter for Yael? If not I will write one and ask Monoa to sign and return. Also, what is the story on the Peds residents? Martha Sommers is back in Eckwendeni and would probably take them or we could try to get them to Mulanji.
George
‑‑‑‑‑ Original Message ‑‑‑‑‑
From: Glenn Geelhoed
To: gpoehlman@ec.rr.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:52 AM
Subject: Re: Fwd: need details of visit
>>> kevin bergman <kbergman@yahoo.com> 02/15/03 11:15AM >>>
dr. glenn,
what about me being there from the 18th‑1st? the may
2nd commitment is firm and may 5 is the first day of
my internal medicine rotation at holy cross and it
seems a shame to miss that when i have 3 weeks free
prior to it.
i left you a phone message yesterday and i hope to
speak with you by phone or in person next week to
discuss alternatives.
kevin
‑‑‑ Glenn Geelhoed <msdgwg@gwumc.edu> wrote:
> How solid is that May 2 commitment? I will be going
> ‑‑as it seems now
> from the airline time frame‑‑on April 25 and will be
> there for the first
> two weeks of May. That would be an ideal time since
> you would be the
> sole focus of my student attention and I could
> guarantee you an
> experience you would not forget!
>
> I should be here; try to call and we will
> rendezvous.
>
> GWG
>
> >>> kevin bergman <kbergman@yahoo.com> 02/13/03
> 07:51PM >>>
> dr. g,
> i could move my visit up a week to earlier april
> which
> doesnt solve the dilution issue. and i dont want to
> adversely effect the experience of john or amy,
> especially since im a late‑comer on this mission.
> i could delay and leave on the 18/19th but that
> would
> leave me with only 10 days since i have a commitment
> during the weekend of May 2nd.
> your thoughts? i would very much like to go, but
> maybe
> i should pick another time frame? is working with
> dr.
> kushner a viable option?
> when is your next trip to africa?
> i will be at gw tomorrow ‑ is there a convenient
> time
> to stop by? i will try and check my mail in the am.
> thanks,
> kevin
> ‑‑‑ Glenn Geelhoed <msdgwg@gwumc.edu> wrote:
> > Don't worry! Have a go at the possibility of
> > changing your primary care
> > weeks and then going out with us so that we will
> not
> > dilute the
> > experience by having more thatn two trainees at
> any
> > time presetn. That
> > way i can focus on you and beat you up bad in
> heavy
> > operating
> > responsibilities!
> >
> > I will await your talks with the others and then I
> > will talk with you.
> > I am out Tuesday and Wednesday, giving Grand
> Rounds
> > to the U. of Florida
> > on Wednesday moring, but am otherwise here.
> >
> > I will let George konw.
> >
> > Cheers!
> >
> > GWG
> >
> > >>> kevin bergman <kbergman@yahoo.com> 02/09/03
> > 09:22PM >>>
> > dr. geelhoed,
> > it sounds like my proposed timing is not the best
> > for
> > your colleages. i will speak with my primary care
> > preceptors to see how i can change my dates ‑
> or...
> > i
> > am willing to table my trip to the summer/fall if
> > that
> > is more propitious timing.
> > i will consider the options and hopefully speak
> with
> > you soon. are you at gw this week?
> > kevin
> > ‑‑‑ Glenn Geelhoed <msdgwg@gwumc.edu> wrote:
> > > I will forward this advice and see what can
> happen
> > > to any possible
> > > switches in schedule here. I will let you know
> > when
> > > I speak with him.
> > >
> > > GWG
> > >
> > > >>> "George Poehlman" <gpoehlman@ec.rr.com>
> > 02/09/03
> > > 12:20PM >>>
> > > Glenn‑‑I don't think it's a good idea to have
> > Kevin
> > > come the weekend of
> > > the
> > > 13th. There are two issues, first‑‑supervision,
> > as
> > > I have said from
> > > the
> > > beginning I don't think there should be more
> than
> > > two learners in
> > > Embangweni
> > > at any one time. Unless you can arrange for
> Kevin
> > > to stay with Adam
> > > for
> > > that week and then come up with you when you
> > arrive
> > > I don't know where
> > > Kevin
> > > will work. Secondly is the issue of
> > transportation.
> > > Right now the
> > > round
> > > trip cost of an Ambulance is running around $400
> > US,
> > > unless we combine
> > > groups of travelers the cost and availability of
> > an
> > > ambulance is
> > > prohibitive. If Kevin is willing to take a bus,
> > and
> > > I'm not sure who
> > > could
> > > direct him to the bus, there is not good
> > > transportation on that
> > > weekend. I
> > > will be in Mzuzu and not available to help out.
> > >
> > > George
> > > ‑‑‑‑‑ Original Message ‑‑‑‑‑
> > > From: "Glenn Geelhoed" <msdgwg@gwumc.edu>
> > > To: <kbergman@yahoo.com>
> > > Sent: Sunday, February 09, 2003 11:35 AM
> > > Subject: Re: Fwd: need details of visit
> > >
> > >
> > > > What works for you may be to go independently
> to
> > > Malawi on April 13
> > > and
> > > > return when you must. You will be in the last
> > > week of George
> > > Poehlman's
> > > > stay and the first week of mine.
> > > >
> > > > I will also see that you may be there during
> Amy
> > > Hayes' second and
> > > > third weeks. I will be there after you are
> gone
> > > for an additional
> > > > period. Remember to stop by for the box of
> > > supplies we each will be
> > > > checking in.
> > > >
> > > > I have not pursued Frequent Flyer miles, since
> > > there may be a
> > > special
> > > > deal for a discounted airfare from Yael, since
> > > John, Amy and George,
> > > > with a letter of authorizatoin have got the
> > > missionary fare of
> > > $1400,
> > > > lower than I had paid last year. If that
> letter
> > > comes through soon,
> > > we
> > > > will go to it.
> > > >
> > > > Greetings from your fellow traveleirs of the
> > last
> > > mission you had
> > > taekn
> > > > with us!
> > > >
> > > > GWG
> > > >
> > > > >>> kevin bergman <kbergman@yahoo.com>
> 02/07/03
> > > 08:59AM >>>
> > > > dr. geelhoed,
> > > > the prospect of going to malawi sounds very
> > > exciting
> > > > to me. the dates that work for me are:
> > > > April 13 (sun) to April 30 (wed).
> > > > do those days work with your plan?
> > > > of course, all is pending airline availability
> ‑
> > > im
> > > > hoping to use frequent flyer miles.
> > > > speak with you soon,
> > > > kevin bergman
> > > > 202‑297‑2349
> > > > ‑‑‑ Glenn Geelhoed <msdgwg@gwumc.edu> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > FEB‑A‑4
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > LETTER OF
> > > > > AUTHORIZATION FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "MEDICAL MISSION TO MALAWI‑'03"
> > > > >
> > > > > DRAFT
> > LETTER
> > > FOR
> > > > > JOINT SIGNATURE OF
> > > > > GEORGE POEHLMAN AND I
> > > > > IN
> > > > > SUPERVISION OF THE TWO
> > > > > TEAMS OF MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Dear Jodi:
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you for your patience, as I have been
> > > > > operating on a medical
> > > > > mission to Mindanao with Medical Ministries
> > > > > international, and have only
> > > > > recently returned. I have just had a long
> > > > > conversation with George, who
> > > > > will submit this communication form both of
> > us,
> > > > > regarding our division
> > > > > of the responsibility for the continuing
> help
> > we
> > > > > would like to provide
> > > > > to the CCPA and Embangweni and affiliated
> > health
> > > > > centers. George has
> > > > > already mailed to you his first half of the
> > > mission
> > > > > and his itinerary
> > > > > with the IAD departure on Saturday, April 5
> > for
> > > the
> > > > > BA arrival in Malawi
> > > > > on Sunday 4/6. Along with him will come John
> > > Sutter
> > > > > and Amy Hayes, both
> > > > > veterans of previous medical missions with
> me,
> > > and
> > > > > each will be carrying
> > > > > a large box of supplies for Embangweni that
> I
> > am
> > > > > gathering for them.
> > > > >
> > > > > George has already received the letter you
> > > furnished
> > > > > to Yael for him
> > > > > and his team accompanying him, and you have
> > the
> > > > > ticketing information
> > > > > for the flights in hand for them.
> > > > >
> > > > > George will be working on the planning grant
> > of
> > > > > $15,000 and has
> > > > > enlisted the supervision of Alex, Ducasani
> and
> > > > > Ishmael in helping the
> > > > > supervision of John and Amy. He will then be
> > > leaving
> > > > > with John on the
> > > > > Sunday 4/21 BA flight coming out, whereas
> Amy
> > > will
> > > > > be remaining for an
> > > > > additional week, and will be there in
> > Embangweni
> > > > > when I arrive for her
> > > > > supervision and that of three other
> > accompanying
> > > > > persons. She will be
> > > > > leaving at the end of April, and I had
> planned
> > > to
> > > > > remain with the other
> > > > > three persons in my group until around May
> 13
> > > for a
> > > > > total of three weeks
> > > > > within the constraints of the airline
> > > connections
> > > > > that can be made.
> > > > >
> > > > > IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EACH PERSON TO REALIZE
> > THAT
> > > AN
> > > > > IMPORTANT PART OF
> > > > > THEIR ASSIGNMENT IN THIS MISSION IS TO CARRY
> > ONE
> > > > > COMPLETE BAG AS CHECKED
> > > > > IN LUGGAGE OF THE MEDICINES, SURGICAL
> SUPPLIES
> > > AND
> > > > > SUTURE, ETC, AND
> > > > > JOURNALS AND BOOKS FOR THE EMBANGWENI
> LIBRARY
> > > THAT I
> > > > > HAVE BEEN
> > > > > CCUMULATING TO AID THE EMBANGWENI MISSION.
> No
> > > one of
> > > > > our accredited
> > > > > group leaves for Malawi without carrying one
> > > > > complete bag of their two
> > > > > bag check‑in allowance with supplies for the
> > > > > mission!
> > > > >
> > > > > My group will be leaving from IAD with the
> > > second
> > > > > wave, and that will
> > > > > be as soon after April 22 as Yael
> > > > > can arrange these flights. In my group will
> be
> > > I,
> > > > > Virginia Croskery,
> > > > > Harolyn Johnson, and Kevin Bergman.
> > > > >
> > > > > You already know me, and I will probably
> > > > > institutionalize my
> > > > > credentials at Embangweni in order to keep
> > this
> > > > > exchange sustainable. I
> > > > > am qualified, licensed, boarded, and a
> veteran
> > > of
> > > > > forty years of
> > > > > international medical missions. My
> commitments
> > > to
> > > > > the Presbyterian
> > > > > Mission station in the footsteps of David
> > > > > Livingstone are also well
> > > > > known to you.
> > > > >
> > > > > Virginia Croskery, daughter of a
> Presbyterian
> > > > > minister and veteran of
> > > > > several medical missions, including several
> I
> > > have
> > > > > led, is a very
> > > > > special person, which you will realize upon
> > > meeting
> > > > > her. She will have a
> > > > > special interest in the Deaf Choir, and the
> > > church
> > > > > singing, but has been
> > > > > a general organizer, as she has proven by
> > > > > overhauling and managing the
> > > > > pharmacy on my Himalayan medical missions.
> > > > >
> > > > > Harolyn Johnson, a very devoted support to
> ALL
> > > the
> > > > > GWU medical
> > > > > students, has arranged all the international
> > > > > elective rotations with me,
> > > > > and will be a linchpin in the further
> > > sustainability
> > > > > of this connection,
> > > > > which we hope to institutionalize.
> > > > >
> > > > > Kevin Bergman is a superb, mature senior
> > medical
> > > > > student at GWUMC, and
> > > > > my handpicked man who accompanied me on a
> > > previous
> > > > > Himalayan medical
> > > > > mission to Ladakh. I vouch for him and all
> > other
> > > > > participants in the
> > > > > mission as each has worked closely with me
> > under
> > > a
> > > > > wide variety of
> > > > > circumstances and venues‑‑‑ALL are veterans
> of
> > > > > foreign missions I have
> > > > > led.
> > > > >
> > > > > This will be Virginia's, Harolyn's (and a
> very
> > > > > special "homecoming"),
> > > > > and Kevin's first trip to Africa. I have
> spent
> > > two
> > > > > and a half years of
> > > > > my professional life in Africa, a full year
> > of
> > > > > which was in Southern
> > > > > Africa in 1996 (including Malawi) Senior
> > > Fulbright
> > > > > Scholar for African
> > > > > Regional Health Research and Humanitarian
> Aid.
> > > > >
> > > > > Through the recruiting efforts of John
> Sutter
> > > who
> > > > > has enthusiastically
> > > > > reported his prior Malawi experience with
> me,
> > > two
> > > > > pediatric residents,
> > > > > Drs. Chen and Kiang, from National
> Children's
> > > > > Hospital Medical Center,
> > > > > an affiliate of GWU, have received leave and
> > > support
> > > > > to participate in
> > > > > the health care efforts in Malawi. I met
> with
> > > Dr.
> > > > > Chen. I believe they
> > > > > might be ideally deployed in the centers
> that
> > > are
> > > > > affiliated with
> > > > > Embangweni, according to the suggestions of
> > > George
> > > > > Poehlman including
> > > > > the hospital at Melangi, and through the
> > > confections
> > > > > of Adam Kushner in
> > > > > Lilongwe in the pediatrics department there.
> > > > >
> > > > > I plan to visit some of the other centers,
> > > perhaps
> > > > > taking one or more
> > > > > students with me, such as Msuzu and
> Ekwandeni,
> > > but
> > > > > with principle
> > > > > allegiance to Embangweni where each of us
> will
> > > be
> > > > > based.
> > > > >
> > > > > There is no need for my supervision of Dr.
> > Adam
> > > > > Kushner, who is a
> > > > > finished product of the surgical training
> > > programs,
> > > > > and he has been
> > > > > productively deployed in Lilongwe, and a
> > similar
> > > > > arrangement can be
> > > > > employed for the pediatric residents under
> the
> > > > > authority of the
> > > > > respective departments of pediatrics as Adam
> > has
> > > > > affiliated with the
> > > > > surgery department. I had encouraged him by
> > > > > acquaintance on
> > > > > referral from American College of Surgeons
> > > friends
> > > > > for my familiarity
> > > > > and expertise in the area to visit and
> assist
> > > > > Embangweni if it became
> > > > > possible for him to do so, but this was not
> > > thought
> > > > > of as his primary
> > > > > billet.
> > > > >
> > > > > A future volunteer of a graduate physician
> not
> > > yet
> > > > > enrolled in an OB
> > > > > residency is Kay May Kwok, who may be
> > available
> > > for
> > > > > an extended period
> > > > > of time after July or 2003. She will be a
> GWU
> > > > > graduate at that time and
> > > > > beyond my role as a supervisor, but the
> > details
> > > of
> > > > > this association can
> > > > > be worked out as we are there, and will be a
> > > > > principle activity of
> > > > > Harolyn Johnson who will be liaison in such
> > > matters.
> > > > >
> > > > > I had promised the future participation of
> > > superb
> > > > > gifted senor
> > > > > surgeons, such as that of Dr. Craig J.
> > Schaefer,
> > > a
> > > > > former GWU surgical
> > > > > resident of mine and close colleague and
> > > associate.
> > > > > His partner, Dr.
> > > > > William Bair is also available for a future
> > > > > volunteer term, although
> > > > > certainly not both together. We had arranged
> a
> > > > > promotion of a medical
> > > > > mission within the hospital where they work
> in
> > > > > Cambridge Maryland, which
> > > > > continues to be a principle supplier of some
> > of
> > > the
> > > > > medical and surgical
> > > > > equipment I have procured, as is true also
> > > through
> > > > > the good offices of
> > > > > Chona Hamrock in Anne Arundel Medical Center
> > > newborn
> > > > > nursery, and
> > > > > especially my friends at Nonin Medical,
> Inc.,
> > > who
> > > > > were the source of the
> > > > > pulse oximeter donated last year when I
> > carried
> > > it
> > > > > to Embangweni. Such
> > > > > donations in kind and in talent are what I
> > would
> > > > > like to facilitate and
> > > > > encourage to continue.
> > > > >
> > > > > Please furnish the required letter for Yael
> to
> > > begin
> > > > > the ticketing
> > > > > process for the four of us in the second
> wave,
> > > as
> > > > > you had for the three
> > > > > in the first wave, and forward these plans
> for
> > > our
> > > > > volunteering our
> > > > > services under the overall supervision of
> Dr.
> > > > > Ngwira, with whom we had
> > > > > discussed this ongoing relationship in my
> > > meeting
> > > > > with him last year. We
> > > > > are responsible for the supervision and
> > > educational
> > > > > activity of the
> > > > > program we seek to give to Malawi, but are
> not
> > > > > seeking to, nor should we
> > > > > accept, the authority and responsibility of
> > the
> > > > > medical superintendents
> > > > > or evangelical mission under whom we serve
> and
> > > for
> > > > > whom we seek to
> > > > > support.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you for this opportunity to serve, and
> > we
> > > hope
> > > > > it might continue
> > > > > to be a very positive experience for each
> who
> > > are
> > > > > involved, above all
> > > > > the Malawian patients whom we come to serve.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Glenn W. Geelhoed
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Candice Chen and Michelle Kiang (peds
> > residents)
> > > are
> > > > > arriving in Malawi
> > > > > on March 30 and
> > > > > departing Malawi on April 20.
> > > > > What should we do to facilitate/arrange
> > > transport
> > > > > from Lilongwe to
> > > > > Embagweni?
> > > > >
> > > > > thanks,
> > > > > Michelle
> > > > >
> > > > > >>> "Jodi & Jim McGill"
> > > <mcgill@africa‑online.net>
> > > > > 02/04/03 09:36PM
> > > > > >>>
> > > > > Dear Glen,
> > > > >
> > > > > Time is getting close for your visit and we
> > need
> > > to
> > > > > know the completed
> > > > > schedules and quantities of people for your
> > > > > trip out. I have gone back through various
> > > emails
> > > > > and pieced together
> > > > > the
> > > > > following but some of the messages are on
> > > another
> > > > > computer. Could you
> > > > > please
> > > > > modify/correct and send back? We have
> several
> > > other
> > > > > people visiting
> > > > > the
> > > > > institutions and we don't want unnecessary
> > > overlap
> > > > > at nor neglect of
> > > > > an
> > > > > institution.
> > > > >
> > > > > 1. John Sutter (?specialty, 4th yr student)
> > > April
> > > > > 1(?leaving USA or
> > > > > arriving
> > > > > Malawi)
> > > > >
> > > > > 2. Candice Chen and Michelle Kiang (ped
> > > residents)
> > > > > 30 March or 6 April
> > > > > (which date and again, is that leaving or
> > > arriving?)
> > > > >
> > > > > 3. Glen, Virginia, Harolyn, & Amy (4th yr
> > > student)
> > > > > April 23‑? May
> > > > >
> > > > > 4. What is the role, if any now, of Adam
> > > Kushner?
> > > > >
> > > > > 5. My understanding is that George P. is NOT
> > > > > available for supervision.
> > > > > Does
> > > > > this change anything?
> > > > >
> > > > > 6. What kind of supervision do the residents
> > > > > require? Would people be
> > > > > willing and interested in going to one of
> our
> > > other
> > > > > sister hospitals?
> > > > >
> > > > > Please write and indicate names, dates of
> > > arrival in
> > > > > Malawi and
> > > > > departure
> > > > > from Embangweni. Additionally let us know
> > about
> > > > > number 4, 5, and 6.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you,
> > > > >
> > > > > Jodi