January 5, 2007
Dr. Tyler Frizzell
HITA Foundation
222 N. 2nd
Boise, ID 83702
Dear Tyler:
Thank you for the opportunity to work with the HITA
Foundation in Chile this fall. It was a rewarding
experience to participate in this medical and
cultural exchange. As you have requested, we have
compiled our joint comments concerning the
experience, both clinically and at large in
Concepcion.
We found our contact with the physicians extremely
amenable. They were all welcoming, professional and
helpful. However, the capacity of the clinical
experience to occupy a group of five, including two
physicians and three pre-med students was limited.
As you are probably aware, only one physician and
one student were permitted in the OR at anytime,
which led to significant "down-time" for the others.
More direction from the foundation and facilitation
of the experience ahead of time may have remedied
this situation.
Both Dr. Pressman and the students appreciated the
opportunities that did become available to tour
other clinics and facilities, but certainly, with
planning the experience might have been more
extensive and comprehensive. In addition, all
participants agreed that having a broader exposure
to the patients both pre and post op would have
provided especially the students with a deeper
understanding of surgical care.
We certainly take some responsibility for not
contacting Dr. Vigueras or Dr. Torche prior to our
arrival which may have helped. As you pointed out
though, it is important to be sensitive to cultural
norms. Now that we have met the physicians involved
with the foundation in their practice settings in
Chile, we believe it will be somewhat easier in the
future to plan the experience ahead of time.
We felt very fortunate indeed to be housed so
comfortably and conveniently at the condominium. It
truly began to feel like home. We would suggest that
guests in the future might benefit from ready access
to more detailed information. In particular, a
handy, detailed guide that delineated some local
information and information about home maintenance
would be great.
As far as the condo was concerned, an understanding
of how the phone system functions including access
to the security desk, land line to cell, land line
to land line and cell to cell within country would
be great. We also struggled with the functioning of
the water heater the entire time, and could not
figure out the dials on the washer/dryer. We learned
to take advantage of the showers in the work out
area when need overflowed capacity upstairs, which
might be useful knowledge for other large groups in
the future.
Knowing where local sites and resources are would be
helpful as well. This could include the location of
the nearest ATM, the market, the rental car company,
the internet and duplicate key fabrication. We left
a city map that we used, which could be kept with
the addresses of the above. Strangers to the city
might also benefit from information about local bus
systems, the art museum at the University, and
weekend getaways. Bev and Margaret took advantage of
Carola, Mirza's niece, who was available to teach
private Spanish lessons. If Carola continues to be
interested, she is a great resource for visitors
interested in improving their Spanish.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to participate
with the foundation in Chile. Please do not hesitate
to contract any of us in the future. We would all be
more than happy to facilitate the travels of others
in the future, and we look forward to our eventual
return as well.
Sincerely
Michael Henbest, MD Margaret Henbest
Scott Pressman, MD Beverly Pressman
From: LDSTAN
To: Frizz2020
Date: Sun, 12 Jun 2006 11:00:22 AM Eastern Daylight
Time
The skull base conference was Thursday, Friday and
Saturday and was a huge success. I was told that the
normal attendance at a Chilean conference is 14 or
15. Jaime had about 45 everyday including Saturday.
Good presentations, typical European and South
American discussions and, of course, a nice social
program as well. The US neurosurgeons were really
impressed. It was especially nice for me in that
since I was the only other US neurosurgeon there, I
was able to spend a lot of time talking to the
guests. Last night Cecile and I were at Jaimes' with
Gerardo Guinto, Miguel Meigar, Ricardo Raima, Helder
Tescho and a Bolivian Neurosurgeon from Santiago.
Ramina had spent 7 years with Samii (he arrived the
month we left), Teschi spent several years with
Yasargil and Meigar is Peruvian, but has lived in
the US for 17 years. He worked several years in
Tucson before his present job at Tulane so the
evening was very interesting. Since Portugese and
Spanish speakers don't seem to understand each
other, a lot of Engish was spoken. (Jaime had
arranged earphones for translation at the
conference). From the response of the participants
it sounds like Jaime is the new rising star in South
American neurosurgery.
Thanks for ending in the reference.
Lowell
1 August 2006
To Mr. Crockett:
Here is a review of our trip down to Chile.
Four of us from Stanford University made the trip
down to Concepcion as part of a medical internship
requirement for the Human Biology major. We were:
Lindsay Allen '08. Jacob Evans '08. Brett Gotcher
'07 and Katie O'Neil '08. We arrived in Concepcion,
Chile on Friday, June 16, 2006. Tyler Frizzell
picked us up from the airport and took us back to
his apartment, where we stayed for the next 24 days.
On Saturday night, we went out to dinner with Tyler
and many of the neurosurgeons from the regional
hospital so we could get to know them before
starting work on Monday.
We worked for three weeks, Monday through Friday, at
the Concepcion Regional Hospital, which is a
10-minute walk from the apartment. We wore white lab
coats while working in the hospital, to be
recognized as student interns. We were treated as
any other students of medicine would have been
treated, and spent 9 days shadowing a pediatrician
and 9 days shadowing a pediatric surgeon. We spent
our time observing various things the doctors were
working on. While shadowing the pediatrician we met
the children in the pediatric ward, and also spent a
day in the casting room, watching children be casted
for various injuries.
While shadowing the pediatric surgeon, we were able
to watch quite a few surgeries, including heart
surgery and lung surgery. Two of us spent a day in
the gynecology ward as well, and watched some
routine examinations as well as a gysterectomy. We
also took a small tour of the nearby medical school
and NICU units. We worked until July 7, and left
Concepcion July 11.
Everyone in Chile was extremely accommodating and
willing to help us and answer any questions we had.
We were able to get our internship papers signed,
and all of us learned a great deal about the medical
field. It was a good opportunity for all of us to
improve our Spanish. It was an exceptional learning
experience for all four of us.
Sincerely,
Katie O' Neil
From: Chandranath Sen
To: frizz2020@aol.com
Subject: Visit to Chile
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 17:46:05-0400
Dear Dr. Frizzel,
I just returned for the conference in Concepcion. It
was a wonderful visit and I enjoyed the conference
tremendously. Jaime did a superb job at organizing a
top notch program. They do wonderful work. I must
also thank you for the reimbursement check. I heard
about the circumstances when you met Jaime and your
involvement and support. I commend you on your
effort and interest in their work. I am also
involved in some charity work in India. I hope to
meet you some day. I appreciate the invitation to
participate in this meeting.
Best wishes and regards
Chandranath
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity
to continue helping others. Going to Chile is a
privilege and an opportunity of a lifetime for me.
I've been a traveling RN for approximately three
years. I've traveled all over the United States
helping and caring for the sick. I think it would be
a learning experience for me to help others in a
different Country. This experience would give me a
chance to see how others practice medicine in Chile
and bring new insight back to Colorado. I'm excited
to see the country of Chile and enhance my Spanish
speaking skills. I'm currently enrolled in a Spanish
class, to better prepare myself for this special
occasion. Again, thank you for allowing me this
experience.
Sincerely,
Heather Carrier
Date: 6/28/04 4:13:20 PM
Eastern Daylight Time
From: Hcarrier1121@cs.com
To: Frizz2020
Tyler,
Greetings from Colorado! I sent you a note when we
got back from Chile, but not sure you got it.
Kimberly gave this email address recently.
I just wanted you to know that I had a wonderful
time and have made some lifetime friends. Kimberly,
Mary and I are presenting our trip to Chile at
nursing grand rounds on July 7th. We are excited to
share our experience with everyone. Again, thank you
from the bottom of my heart.
Take care,
Heather Carrier
December 29,2003
Thank you for this opportunity to be a volunteer in
HITA foundation
Nursing has not only been my job, but what I love
doing. I have been a nurse for 23 years with seven
years of Intensive Care experience. I started out as
a licensed practical nurse working on medical/surgical
units then went back to school to complete my
education and become a registered nurse. I have
worked in many different types of situations from a
13 bed hospital to a 800 bed hospital. Working at
the bedside and interacting with patients has been
one of the most rewarding challenges of my career.
I am very excited to have this chance to be a part
of this exchange program. I feel that interacting
with this team will increase my knowledge and be a
wonderful experience that I will carry with me
always. I hope to share new and past experiences and
build new relationships. I am looking forward to
interacting with the Latin American people and
discovering a new country.
Mary L. Carette
19860 E. Garden Place
Centennial, CO 80015
308-371-0791
Eldon,
My reasons for volunteering in Concepcion result
from my personal beliefs and values. In Matthew 25
Jesus tells a story of 3 servants each given
different amounts of money. Jesus uses this story to
illustrate how important it is to use our talents
and abilities to the fullest. Also, Jesus stresses
to not keep talents hidden for our own selfish
edification and worldly gain. If we hide these
talents we displease God. He gave them to us, so He
has the power to take them away. It pleases God when
we share our talents and He blesses us with more. I
have been so fortunate to receive training as a
certified surgical technologist and I feel
challenged by the word of God to share my talents
with others in need. Throughout my life volunteering
has been a part of my life and I enjoy the rewards
of giving back to my local community. I am really
excited to be able to be a part of an international
outreach.
In addition to my beliefs and values, I also have a
personal interest in the South American culture. I
have studied Spanish in high school and in college
for a year. I find the Spanish culture and language
appealing and have desired to experience it first
hand.
My areas of specialty are:
Assisting in surgery as a surgical technologist
I have experience in all surgical specialties
Most recent experience in trauma surgery
I am willing to volunteer in any role or area, as
long as it is not out of my scope of practice. I
have been volunteering at a local free community
clinic and I have been performing clerical duties. I
have attached my C.V.
Not only I am looking forward to serving at the
hospital in Concepcion, but also from the
experiences and skills I will gain.
Sincerely
Melinda Townley, C.S.T.
521 Waitman Lane
Meridian, ID 83642
ibboardin@aol.com
208-283-0125
November 16, 2003
Eldon,
When I was four years old, I knew nursing was the
career I wanted to pursue. Fortunately, I followed
that dream and have been in the field for
twenty-four years. I have been blessed in this
lifetime and wish to give my services to others.
Currently, I work as the Spine Clinical Coordinator
in the Orthopedic/Spine/Trauma unit. An orthopedic,
neurosurgery, trauma or spine unit is my current
area of expertise and my skill set is currently
strong in these areas. However I have worked
extensively in the following units in the past and
it would only take me a "day or so" to get back up
to speed. I want to work in the department that my
services are needed the most:
Newborn Nursery
Critical Care - Cardiac is my strongest
Medical-Surgery/Telemetry
Clinical Consulting
Materiel Management (Supply & Distribution)
Below states the reasons that I choose to
participate in the H.I.T.A. Foundation.
1. To assist facilities in a community/country less
fortunate that do not have resources or equipment
necessary to provide basic medical care.
2. To provide my area(s) of expertise and assist in
the education process of that facility; I believe we
can make a difference "one person at a time." I am
very passionate about my work and if one individual
can improve from our presence, it is worth the time
and effort.
3. To learn from other cultures. With our healthcare
system in shambles, I am particularly interested in
how other countries treat various illnesses, etc.
4. Lastly, the most important reason for me to
participate in the H.I.T.A. Foundation is to
volunteer my services. It is very rewarding for me
personally to give my time.
Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity!
Sincerely.
Kimberly Sexton
