In October, a team of more than 30 medical professionals from all over the country embarked on a two-week medical mission to Malindi, Kenya. Their goal: to empower local health care providers through education and training.
Veteran volunteer Matthew Old, MD, professor and director of the Division of Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery within the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, joined the mission, which works to create sustainable health care solutions in an underserved region.
“It’s basically a boot camp for medical professionals,” Dr. Old says. “The focus is educating the local medical care teams instead of just going to do surgeries. It’s about creating a lasting impact.”
Led by James Netterville, MD, a professor of otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University, the clinical team worked toward two key objectives: to deliver high-quality head and neck surgical care and to train local physicians and staff, which includes medical students, physician residents and fellows. The initiative focuses on sustainability by building strong teaching partnerships that respect local culture and future planning, which includes creating a head and neck surgical oncology training program in Kenya.
Operating out of a small hospital in Malindi on Kenya’s southeast coast, the team performed 60 advanced surgeries, treating conditions such as mandibular tumors, oral cancers, thyroid diseases and skin disorders. They also conducted more than 100 minor surgeries and hands-on training sessions for local doctors, focusing on advanced surgical techniques.
“They do so much with so little,” says Dr. Old of the Kenyan medical professionals. “They are very adaptable and flexible, and they learn very quickly when given the opportunity and hands-on training.”
Malindi, a region historically lacking in otolaryngology services, has been the focus of this annual mission for over seven years. This year’s efforts were bolstered by additional funding, which secured five ultrasound machines to enhance diagnostic capabilities.
The mission trip is part of an ongoing partnership between the Caris Foundation, a nonprofit focused on global aid initiatives, and medical institutions across the United States. Institutions such as The Ohio State University, Vanderbilt, Indiana University and others, as well as companies like Synovis MCA and KLS Martin, donate supplies and equipment to support the team’s efforts.
Beyond treating patients and training providers, the team worked to establish a sustainable framework for care that continues long after their departure.
“It’s the perfect combination of service and education,” Dr. Old says. “We’re not just going in to do surgeries and leave. We’re trying to develop something sustainable — to train the teachers, build capacity and leave behind a system that thrives without us.”
According to Dr. Old, the volunteer team includes senior surgeons, fellows, physician residents and medical students, anesthesiologists, nurses, and speech and language pathologists. Next year, Dr. Old plans to help expand the team with additional nurses, surgical techs, physician residents and fellows to continue to build training and capacity in Kenya. Through this collaborative mission, The Ohio State University College of Medicine's Department of Otolaryngology is making a lasting impact on global health care, fostering sustainability and strengthening medical care in Kenya for years to come.