The idea of doing such a project evolved a few years ago when he
proposed a similar mission for his homeland, Grenada. For reasons that
are unclear, the offer was not pursued by the host country. George, who
is a graduate of the Grenada Boys Secondary School and the Howard
University College of Medicine, is a pioneer in laparoscopy in the
Washington area and has been performing these techniques since 1988.
Close to 95% of his gynecologic operations are performed in this
manner.
He lectures locally regionally and internationally on the topic and
treats patients from North America, the Caribbean and as far as Africa.
His work was recently cited in a
Washington Post article:
In January, 2008 while participating in the Howard University Hospital
Medical Association Annual Scientific Symposium in St. Kitts, his
colleague Dr. Hector Collison suggested that he contact Dr. Trona
Bennett in St. Lucia for the purpose of helping to develop a
Laparoscopy program. Dr. Collison had assisted in promoting cardiology
services on the Island and was aware of some of their other medical
needs.
As if guided by a mystical force, Dr. Collison persisted in having Dr.
George contact Dr. Bennett. Soon thereafter Dr. Collison and his son
were tragically killed when his private aircraft crashed in Virginia.
Dr. George has undertaken the project in memory of his friend and
colleague Dr. Collison.
The Project:
Dr. George hopes that by training gynecologists and other surgeons in
advanced laparoscopy the modality will be made available to patients in
St. Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean.
The Team:
Dr. George, the surgeon will be accompanied by a team of three
individuals who regularly assist him with laparoscopic surgery. They
are Ms. Barbara Jackson, nurse, Mr. Tyronne Crawford, certified
operating room surgical technician and Mr. David Vandygriff, a
biomedical engineer with the Stryker Corporation. They will participate
in lectures, surgery and workshops to introduce and assist the St.
Lucia surgeons in adopting the techniques that are hoped to ultimately
benefit physicians and patients from the region.
In order to achieve the project goals, Dr. George has assembled and
shipped an extensive array of laparoscopic equipment, instruments and
supplies that will aid in managing gynecologic problems such as
fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and various gynecologic ailments
formerly treated by a large abdominal incision and a lengthy
hospitalization and recovery at home. In many cases, patients having
laparoscopy for procedures like hysterectomy can return home the same
day with small incisions covered by bandaids. They may then return to
normal activity in two weeks.
Project Support:
The project is supported by The Washington Hospital Center, the largest
hospital in Washington, DC, and the Pan American Health and Education
Foundation. Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc, Ethicon Inc. and the Stryker
Corporation have provided material support without which the project
would not be possible. Dr. George would also like to acknowledge the
support of Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus of the Pan American
Health Organization, (PAHO). The team is donating their time and
services towards the project.
Participants and Patients:
Dr. Trona Bennett well known St. Lucia gynecologist has invited
gynecologists and other interested surgeons to participate in the
project that will run for one week. She will also select the patients
for care.
“I foresee the day” George says, “when patients will travel to St.
Lucia from the Eastern Caribbean and even as far away as North America
to receive quality, cost-effective laparoscopic surgical care”. The
first such patient may well be traveling from Grenada! It will be
necessary, however to revisit the Island to provide ongoing stimulation
and support for a modality that can perish if not nurtured.
Information related to laparoscopic treatment in gynecology can be obtained on
Dr. George’s Website.
