Humanity First USA: Gift of Sight

A blog of the Humanity First USA Gift of Sight experience in Guatemala 2010 to 2025. 

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Gift of Sight - February 2025

The Humanity First USA Gift of Sight program delivered essential surgical eye care to underserved Guatemalans in February 2025. Working at Nasir Hospital, a collaborative US and Guatemalan team completed 60 cataract and pterygium surgeries and numerous patient evaluations. Sincere thanks to HF Healthcare Services, Loyola Medicine Ophthalmology, Alcon Cares, SEE International, MicroSurgical Technologies, ImprimisRx, and our private donors for their critical support.

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The Academic Dinner followed our surgical days, featuring exciting presentations from the Gift of Sight team members and hosting esteemed guests from Lion's Club Guatemala and Visualiza, including attendings, the practice manager, and fellow. Mr. Majid Khan presented the vision for Humanity First Healthcare. Dr. Bouchard discussed potential partnerships with HF Healthcare, Lions International, and Visualiza. A key highlight was Dr. Ogaldez's agreement to a Lions International-Nasir Hospital partnership for the Lions Vision Grant. Academic presentations were given by Dr. Paula Dmitriev, Dr. John Zahour, and Dr. Arshia Wadhwa. The evening proceeded with dinner, a VR simulation lab led by Sarah Tajran, and a Jeopardy game, concluding with cake and farewells to the hospital staff.

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GOS February 2025 - Group photo of the USA team in front of Nasir Hospital Guatemala

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GOS February 2025 - Drs. Arshia Wadhwa, John Zahour, and Paula Dmitriev working with Dr. Shweta Chaudhry, comprehensive ophthalmologist at Cook County Health, on an MSICS case.

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Dr. Paula Dmitriev, Cornea Fellow at the University of Michigan, checking for APD in pre-op

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GOS February 2025 - Dr. Bouchard and medical student Musa Lughmani performing a pterygium removal procedure

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GOS February 2025 - Dr. Bouchard and medical student Sarah Tajran performing a pterygium removal procedure

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GOS February 2025 - USA and Guatemala Team Photo

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"I am leaving Guatemala with an immense sense of gratitude. I am grateful for all of the patients who put their trust in us. I am grateful for the doctors and support staff who take the time out of their busy clinical and personal schedules to treat patients and teach and inspire trainees. I am grateful for the residents and students who came together, ready to work as a team, with humor and compassion. I am thankful for the institutions and donors that help make this work possible. I am grateful for the friendships I have built along the way." - One of our volunteers

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Gift of Sight 2024

In April of 2024, a group of dedicated and inspired healthcare providers, surgeons, nurses, and support staff from the US, UK, and Guatemala came together at Nasir Hospital to provide essential surgical eye care to underserved communities. The team transported over 25 containers of essential equipment and supplies to Guatemala, which enabled them to carry out 65 cataract and pterygium surgeries and evaluate dozens of other patients with a variety of ophthalmic conditions.

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Granting Essential Eye Care: Transforming Lives One Vision at a Time.

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@HFNasirHospital - Gift of Sight Team 2024, Antigua, Guatemala.