Community Corner

Winchester Hospital Surgeon Committed to Making 'Bigger Impact' in Guatemala

Winchester surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Brown, spent a week helping patients in Guatemala this past winter.

surgeon Jeffrey L. Brown, MD, FACS learned about the need for medical and humanitarian aid in Guatemala last winter, when a member of his church shared her experiences visiting the Central American country.When Dr. Brown learned the mission would be repeated, he knew he wanted to be part of it.

Dr. Brown, who practices general and bariatric surgery, spent a week this past winter, accompanying Guatemalan physician Otto Hernandez, MD in conducting medical outreach in four rural villages outside San Miguel.

After driving on mountain roads for hours to reach their destinations, according to Dr. Brown, the team encountered settlements of handmade brick, clay and straw huts with roofs made of rough hewn timber and corrugated sheet metal. While there was running water, the only source of heat in the lush countryside was open fires.

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According to Dr. Brown, the medical team evaluated about 120 patients a day, diagnosing and dispensing medication to treat headaches, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, eye infections, gastrointestinal issues, skin infections and parasites.

“We were mostly distributing pain relievers, antibiotics and antifungals, but we only had enough supplies to last a few days,” said Dr. Brown, noting that hernias and other more serious conditions could not be corrected because surgical facilities were not available.

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For example, a 23-year-old woman had a tumor growing in her nose, which was already interfering with her airway – but she did not have the financial means to travel to Guatemala City and support herself for however long it would take to reach the front of the line for medical care.

“It was eye-opening,” said Dr. Brown. “The people in Guatemala aren’t necessarily suffering or unhappy, but to come back to the U.S. and see what we have was a humbling experience.”

Since returning to Winchester Hospital, Dr. Brown has been encouraged by the interest shown in his Guatemalan mission by fellow physicians and nurses. While expressions of thanks and appreciation are universal, Dr. Brown also plans to learn Spanish in order to be able to better communicate with his new patients without relying on a translator.

“There is a tremendous need for donations of supplies and funds, but I’m committed to finding a way to make a bigger impact,” Dr. Brown said. “It’s such a special feeling to be able to help people make their lives better. That’s why we do this.”


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