Bohol, Philippines 2025- Day 5: From the OR to the Orphanage

Our doctors began their mornings making their rounds. The news was fantastic: all of yesterday’s patients were doing incredibly well, and most were even ready to go home! The outpatient department also had another busy day with several procedures. Meanwhile, the operating rooms were buzzing with activity once again.

After several days of surgeries, our team has truly hit its stride. We’ve found our rhythm and are working together with incredible efficiency. It’s inspiring to see everyone collaborating so seamlessly.

I had a chance to chat with Dr. Augustin today and asked him about his most memorable moment so far on the trip. He shared the story of a particularly challenging gallbladder removal that took over two hours to complete. It turned out the gallbladder was in much worse condition than anticipated, making the procedure quite complex. But Dr. Augustin’s patience and dedication shone through, and in the end, the surgery was a success! It was a testament to his skill and commitment to his patients.

Our SRNAs (Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists) are also gaining invaluable hands-on experience, learning so much from our anesthesia doctors. The knowledge transfer happening here is truly remarkable.

This afternoon, we had the privilege of visiting a local orphanage, Sunshine Homes. We brought donations of food, clothes, hygiene items, and, of course, toys! The children welcomed us with a beautiful song, a truly heartwarming experience. We also provided them with dinner. After a short but meaningful visit, we sadly had to say goodbye. It was an incredibly moving experience for our entire team, and we’re so grateful that Sunshine Homes welcomed us with such open arms.

Tomorrow is our last day of surgeries. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by, and yet, there’s still so much to do. We’re determined to make every moment count.