Photos from Kyrgyzstan 2008
The Physicians With Heart delegation enjoyed an introductory lunch and cultural orientation meeting after arriving in Bishkek via Istanbul. The delegation arrived at 4:30 a.m. and had just a few hours to rest before the meeting.
The delegation met Dr. Barton Smith, an American doctor who has lived in Kyrgyzstan since 2000, during a cultural orientation meeting. Dr. Dan Ostergaard and Dr. Mark Belfer exchange their first impressions about Kyrgyzstan (left) while Dr. Rick Kellerman talks with Dr. Smith (right).
The delegation's first adventure: a tour of Bishkek. Leslie McCracken, of Heart to Heart International, discusses the tour details with the local guide.
During their walking tour of Bishkek, the delegation observed the changing of the guards on the main square.
Dr. Rich Bruehlman, Alex Ivanov, Dr. Chad Lowe, Dr. Crystal Cook and Dr. Sofia Vaisman (seated) discuss Symposia planning and coordination. Dr. Lowe and Dr. Cook were PWH Resident Scholarship Recipients, administered by the AAFP Foundation.
The delegation traveled to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, for the first Family Medicine Symposium and the Children’s Project at the Bohorukerdik boarding school.
Lloyd Welker, Lori Foley and Ruth Ostergaard, members of the Children’s Project team, visit the Bohorukerdik Boarding School, which is home to orphaned or abandoned children and elderly residents.
A view of Osh Medical School, the venue for the Family Medicine Symposium in Osh.
Dr. Rich Bruehlman registers an Osh Symposium participant.
Dr. Josephine Fowler instructs Osh Medical School students during the suturing workshop.
A clipping from a Kyrgyz newspaper about the PWH Handover Ceremony. The caption in Russian says: The Handover Ceremony of the delivered medicine, medical supplies and medical equipment valued at more than $5.3 million was held at the Mirrahimov National Center of Cardiology. Dr. Madamin Karataev, Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Health, is pictured shaking hands with Jeff DeGraffenreid, Chief Operating Officer of Heart to Heart International. Dr. Mark Belfer (middle) and Lee Litzenberger, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan are also pictured.
PWH delegates enjoyed interacting with their Kyrgyz colleagues during pharmaceutical update visits to recipient sites.
Wellch Allyn diagnostic equipment is received with thanks and smiles from ICU doctors at the Children’s Emergency Hospital in Bishkek, one of 16 medicine, medical equipment and supply recipient sites.
Lori Foley, Mary Jo Welker, Crystal Cook (seated on the floor), Gwen Young and Nancy Belfer (seated on the couch) make final preparations for their visit to the Chuy Boarding School.
The Children’s project team travels to the Chuy Boarding School.
The Children’s Project team poses in front of a mural designed by Dr. Leto Quarles (not pictured). The team painted Dr. Quarles' design on a wall in the commons area of the Chuy Boarding School. In addition, the Children's Project supported the replacement of the school's main heating system and provided children with multivitamins, socks, underwear, winter hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, warm blankets, bed linens, towels, school supplies, tote bags, toothbrushes, and composition notebooks.
Members of the PWH delegation and Kyrgyz officials collaborated at the opening of the Family Medicine Symposium in Bishkek. Right to left: Dr. Tulegen Chubakov, Director of the Kyrgyz Postgraduate Medical Institute; Thomas Hale, STLI Field Director in Kyrgyzstan; Jeff DeGraffenreid; Drs. Dan Ostergaard, Rick Kellerman, and Mark Belfer; and Dr. A.G. Kashmuratov, Ministry of Health Division of Strategic Planning and Health Reform.
Dr. Mary Jo Welker presents on the topic of EBM: Coronary Artery Disease at the Family Medicine Symposium in Bishkek.
Dr. Cathleen Cotas at a hands-on breakout session on otoscopy. Welch Allyn otoscopes were used during this session at the Family Medicine Symposium in Bishkek.
Ruth Ostergaard speaks on behalf of the Children's Project at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Small Reconstruction Project at the Republican Specialized Boarding School #21 for hearing-impaired children in Bishkek. Also pictured: Lee Litzenberger, DCM of the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, and Jerald Oberndorfer, Humanitarian Assistance Director of the U.S. Department of State.
Renovated shower rooms at School #21. To complement the Small Reconstruction Project, the PWH partnership provided children’s hearing aids, classroom hearing aid systems, towels, washcloths, quilts, personal hygiene kits, winter hats, mittens, gloves, baseball hats and shower mats to complement these improvements.
The delegation poses for a group picture on October 25, their last day in Kyrgyzstan before returning home. The group enjoyed lunch at Twelve Chimneys Restaurant in the Alatau mountains outside Bishkek.
