Day 2 - 1/7/2017– Operation Walk Freedom to Move – patient screening at the Juan Bosch clinic

​We head into La Vega to visit the Juan Bosch Hospital clinic.

​Here again patients arrive early and fill the lobby for just a chance to be considered. 

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​The process is as it was at ILAC with patients being evaluated by injury severity, equipment availability, and that the proper implants are available. We sore them out of 10 as well, 10 being a definite candidate. 

​This year do to a shipment of implants being held up in customs we took phone numbers. Accepted patients would be given a call the day before their surgery, that’s if the implants made it through customs! It made for a somewhat tense atmosphere. 

​The Teaching Component

​At the hospital the doctors meet with the residents (doctors in training) and show them how they evaluate the patients, interpret the x-rays, and exchange ideas on how to treat them. It’s another great teaching moment allowing the residence to practice long after we have left.

​Midday we broke from the patient evaluations to attend a press conference. The Operation Walk Freedom to Move mission was welcomed to the hospital and thanks were exchanged between the hospital, staff, doctors, and OPWFTM mission. 

​Later that day we received the call assuring the shipment of implants would be delivered directly to the hospital by 2 pm on Sunday. A huge sigh off relief was felt by all.

"Movement is life, freedom, and independence."
​-Dr. Paul Duwelius, Founder of Freedom to Move