Local Medical Team Arrives in El Salvador Ready To Change Lives

RIVERHEAD, NY — A team of giving medical professionals from Riverhead arrived in El Salvador was ready to start giving back Sunday as they began to treat patients on their mission of mercy.

The group from Peconic Bay Medical Center crowdfunded for the medical mission trip; Dr. Agostino Cervone and a team including Cynthia Cichanowicz and Amy Douglas-Smith, as well as nurses and a resident, will be spending a week performing surgeries for underserved people who could otherwise not access or afford the medical care they need.

And, after enjoying delicious local fare and taking in the local vistas, the team is ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

"From the moment we met them at the airport these people are the most appreciative, welcoming group," said Cichanowicz. "We were escorted from the airport to the clinic center by the president of the board of the Centro Medico David V. King and his wife."

The drive was about 1 hour and 45 minutes to the clinic, she said. On Saturday, she said the group was given a tour and set up their bunks. On Sunday, she said. "We start seeing patients for pre-op assessments and then start surgeries."

Added Amy Douglas-Smith, "We arrived safe and sound! We received a wonderful welcome, very impressed with the accommodations and got a tour of this great facility. We are all so excited for the experience this week is going to bring us."

Before the trip, Cervone reflected on the fulfillment helping others brings.

"Having been on one of these mission trips in the past, I find it one of the most gratifying experiences as a surgeon," Cervone said. "Being able to change someone's life for the good has got to be one of the best feelings. A main goal is to be able to provide surgical aid for people who would otherwise not have access to it. The appreciation is awesome and becomes a driver to continue with the next mission trip."

The surgeries will take place at the David V. King Medical Center in Jucuapa, El Salvador, team member said.

The team will remain in El Salvador through January 22 under the auspices of Medical Mission International. Since its opening in 2011, the King Medical Center has served over 45,000 patient services.

According to the Medical Mission International's website: "Medical Mission International was founded to provide immediate medical and surgical care to people in under-served regions of the world who have limited access to health care services, particularly to women and children. We believe that quality medical care is a catalyst for economic development and breaking the cycle of poverty."

The trip will include pre-op assessments, with surgeries performed Monday through Friday.

Funds raised will be used to pay for flights, the extra expense of bringing medical equipment, and food for the team.

Cichanowicz's page on the Crowdrise site asked individuals to help with the life-altering journey.

"As a nurse we are going to be there when people are born, and when a lot of people die. In most every culture, such moments are regarded as sacred and private. In medicine not only are we welcomed, but personally invited . . . truly, what an honor that is," she wrote.

In February, 2010, she wrote, "I took a leap of faith with the University of Miami and went on a mission trip to Haiti to help out with the devastating aftermath of the earthquake. The destruction and despair that I witnessed in an already impoverished country was truly eye opening, but the gratitude we received from the people was truly amazing. It was a life changing event and I feel truly privileged to be going on another mission."