The majority of the members of the International Extremity Project have been working together for at least 3 separate trips to Can Tho. Many of the surgeons trained each other at different points in their professional education and career, and we continue to be joined by a couple of surgical residents each year. I am really impressed with our group-- each person is here because we really want to be here, and each person brings a unique set of skills that fits into the larger puzzle. Majorly cliched-- but so true!
During our short time together in Can Tho, any reason to eat and drink together is welcome. Morale-boosting! Here are some shots from our time together-
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| Fresh off the 24 hour plane trip in Saigon |
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| Dr. Hue and Dr. Jeff Spanko reunite first day |
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New group member Bob inspects his
rite of passage Birds Nest Drink |
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| I think he drank the whole thing. Birds' Nest fungus! |
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| Adult PT department at Can Tho general hospital |
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| Karaoke |
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| Featuring Dr. Jeff Spanko... |
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| Dr. Diane Yoshimune... |
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| nurse Jenni Lehnert and Dr. Jonah Mullens |
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| Diane and Stacy Lerner, PT |
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| Jenni Lehnert and Dr. Bruce Lehnert |
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| Flecher Fleurdujon, documentary filmmaker, and Jenni Lehnert |
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| Group birthday dinner part 1 |
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| Fruma and Dr. Meir Nyska |
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| Stacy and nurse Tina Cratto |
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| nurse Teresa Pineda |
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| Tina with translator Thuy |
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| Thuy |
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| Thuy and Teresa |
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Saying goodbye to Thuy-- she's heading back
to grad school in Japan- |
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| Birthdays dinner, part 2 |
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| and a welcome to Jonah's fiancee, Abby |
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| me and translator Phuong |
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| Dr. Tan, Dr. Jane Nguyen, Dr. Diane Koshimune |
Finally, we gathered as a group to say a formal good-bye to the project's founder, Steve Warren. Steve was a Vietnam vet who had been cared for by people in the Mekong Delta when he contracted malaria during the war. He suffered from multiple health problems after the war, but persevered to find many ways to help adults and children in the Mekong Delta region.
Steve last organized the project, then known as Mission Peace, and our visit to Can Tho in 2006-2007. Unfortunately, Steve died shortly after he returned to California when our work finished in January 2007. He was so dedicated to the project and gave us a firm foundation for our continued success. Thank you, Steve-- you are missed by all of us.
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| We spoke about Steve and sent photos and flowers into the Mekong River. |
Steve last organized the project, then known as Mission Peace, and our visit to Can Tho in 2006-2007. Unfortunately, Steve died shortly after he returned to California when our work finished in January 2007. He was so dedicated to the project and gave us a firm foundation for our continued success. Thank you, Steve-- you are missed by all of us. 
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