The last word: Saving skin
Posted: June 21, 2013
“The number and types of diseases we saw was not what I was prepared for. And I saw some devastating things,” said dermatologist G. Scott Drew, DO, FAOCD, ’87, while describing a January 2012 expedition with Passion to Heal in which he joined 16 healthcare providers serving 11 vulnerable communities in rural Kenya for 10 days.
When the team arrived at Baraka Health Center, they were astonished at the devastating skin conditions with which the locals were living.
They encountered one 5-year-old girl with a severe blistering disease that affected her entire body. With no access to care, the disease had taken a toll on her body and had caused her education, social life, and family to suffer as well. Since many therapy options traditionally used in America were not available, the physicians were prompted to get creative with her treatment. Happily, by the time they left, she was better.
“We relieved human suffering with just that one episode,” Dr. Drew recalled. “We’ve gotten more than we’ve given. These people are happy and hopeful. It’s fulfilling and life altering. It’s depressing and exhilarating. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Photo credit: Passion to Heal