February 16, 2005
Quito - Ecuador, in recent months, has become a center of international medical aid from the United States. Now the Pan American Medical Society takes its turn through the 18th of this month, offering free aid at Quito's Hospital of Armed Forces.
William Chester, 46, director of this organization, along with 15 colleagues, is performing complimentary surgical procedures to patients with cleft palate, cleft lip, facial disfigurement, dental malformation and related facial issues.
In addition to inviting these patients to receive consultations and surgical interventions, the group plans to include follow-up visits on their agenda for next year. Chester, an anesthesiologist, explained that his commitment to surgical missions began in 1993 when he was invited by a plastic surgeon colleague to take part in a humanitarian mission.
"That doctor retired and I went on to start my own organization. It was my choice to come to Ecuador for the mission, due to the immense support network that is so necessary to facilitate these efforts. Everyone from the First Lady to the nurses and recovery staff to the Embassy and the military has been of huge support."
The American doctor also cited a very fond personal reason for organizing a humanitarian mission. His adolescent son Paul died in October of 2003 in an auto accident. "He was very generous and altruistic; he was preparing to go on his first medical aid mission with me. You cannot imagine how much I miss him, and in part it is for him that I want to help these people."
Already the organization has performed nearly 250 surgeries - the majority on children - since its first mission to Ecuador. "I could not continue our work in this country without the hospitality and the tremendous affection we receive from the people here. We have performed surgeries in Cuenca, Riobamba and Puyo and wherever we go, they treat us like family."
Chester says what touches him most is to see the faces of the parents when they see their children's faces in recovery. At last, they are healthy and for that there is no price.