12/07/2025
Read more about the fellowship teaching and collaboration happening in Ethiopia this week!
--- Notes from the field from CSI volunteer surgeon Dr. Luke Jakubowski:
Hello from Ethiopia!. This trip is extra special as it’s our second "fellowship trip." Unlike our typical large surgical campaigns, this smaller team is focusing on high-level education, complex head and neck masses, revisions, and other complex orofacial clefts.
Screening was demanding, with a higher than usual number of patients. We screened 58 kids and now have 27 life-changing procedures scheduled for the week. Working alongside Kassaw Ketemaw and his six fantastic ENT residents, we evaluated patients while simultaneously providing hands-on education. This photo captures the essence of why we are here.
We met a sweet 3-year-old girl, Mekides, with a facial mass that has been growing since birth. She traveled four hours with her mom to see us. The list of possible causes for such a mass is long, so we used this moment to provide care for her while teaching the ENT residents. Using a simple flashlight, we demonstrated "transillumination." As you can see in the picture, the mass lit up, confirming our suspected diagnosis of a macrocystic lymphatic malformation. It was the perfect opportunity to discuss diagnosis and management strategies right in the clinic. Mekides is getting further imaging this week and will undergo either surgery or sclerotherapy. More teaching to come!
We are incredibly grateful to be part of this wonderful teaching environment. A massive thank you to our amazing hosts at Bahir Dar university Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital Information Center and their staff. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Kassaw and College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. for welcoming us back. It’s an absolute honor to collaborate and learn alongside you all.
Our team is so happy to be back in Bahir Dar with our partners. Thank you for the warm welcome. We look forward to a great week together—and many more cups of coffee!
