A Heart Without Borders
(Taken from the Friendswood Reporter News article featuring Donna Wollam from the Shull/Patrick Surgical Team - Kim Strube Reporting)
Faith In Practice Volunteers Donna Wollam and Peggy Villarreal hugging a patient in post-op.
We are all connected and to give a person hope anywhere is to be an ambassador for world peace and love.
Friendswood resident and registered nurse Donna Wollam has seen this throughout her career, but working with an all-volunteer medical team for the first time in Guatemala March 3- 10 made its impact and importance even more evident.
As a result of their efforts, approximately 60 impoverished Guatemalans were able to have surgeries that improved the quality and length of their lives.
“These people would never see doctors if we didn’t go there” said Wollam, a neuro-trauma ICU nurse at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. “Many would have died and the babies wouldn’t get the good start they need.”
While there, Wollam served as a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and recovery room nurse for patients of all ages who underwent: cleft palate and lip reconstruction; cyst, gallbladder and tumor removal; hernia repair; hysterectomies and other procedures.
Although it was heartbreaking to see these people in such pain and need. Wollam said, “They were so grateful for everything.”
“They knew we were there to help them, so their eyes would light up and they would hand us their babies to hold,” she added.
Wollam’s experience was made possible by Faith in Practice, a “life changing medical mission” that began in the early 1990s.
“It’s all faiths coming together to give back,” she said.
“In her role as a post- op nurse Donna provided medical care, and so much more.” Faith In Practice Chief Operating Officer Melissa Bernardoni said, “She was often the first person they saw after surgery; the care and comfort she provided is immeasurable and unforgettable to our patients.”
Each year over 1,000 medical professionals from the U.S. spend their own funds to participate in Faith In Practice’s week- long missions that run from January to June
New teams rotate in every week during those months and work at one of three partner hospitals in Guatemala
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of this mission—we could not do it without them.” Bernardoni said. “They take time off from work, pay their own way, leave families behind, and travel to Guatemala to bring healing to the poorest of the poor.”
“Not only do they provide their talents, they also bring compassion and comfort,” she added. “Our patients are often far from home, sometimes in a hospital for the first time.”
In addition to offering surgeries and medical treatments and screenings, dentists and auditory professionals provide dental and hearing programs through Faith In Practice, as well.
According to Bernardoni, over 20,000 Guatemalans are helped by these programs annually. Those in need of medical assistance often live in remote villages and mountainous regions in simple huts with dirt floors, no running water or electricity. Over 600 Guatemalans volunteers, many who are former patients or family members of formers patients, help screen potential patients and transport them to hospitals for care.
Wollam was invited to participate in mission by a co worker, Rhonda Puchek, RN, at Memorial Hermann who had been through the experience before.
“She helped me put my application in and get my references,” she said. “I was accepted real quick.”
Both served on the same team in Guatemala two weeks ago. Wollam’s goal was to help others, but the mission ended up positively affecting her in many ways, as well. Wollam said she hears people comment that time and money should only be used to assist people in the U.S. who are in need, but down there, there isn’t even a backup system – there isn’t anything,” she said. “I could put out that kind of money on a one- week vacation, so why not do some good with it—and we did.”
“Once you go down there, it just opens your eyes; you see things in a whole new light,” Wollam added. “It gives you a greater appreciation for what you have no matter what your situation.”
And, that perspective changes around you at home. Working with other professionals from all over the U.S. and other countries was beneficial, too.
“It teaches you to have an open mind and an open heart and to be flexible and tolerant,” Wollam expressed. “I got a lot out of it.”
Wollam believes most people would also get a lot of it.
“I want to inspire other people to go; I think everyone should do it at least once,” she said. “It really is a life changing experience.”
“I can’t wait to go back,” Wollam concluded.
