Pathologists and Scientists at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, led by Dr. Paula North, hhave undertaken a project that will support the development of a high-quality clinical laboratory in a new 16 bed clinic being built by the Yantalo Foundation in the rural jungle community of Yantalo (population 3000) in the Alto Mayo region of the Peruvian Amazon. We’ve completed the Lab’s physical design and staged equipment acquisition plan. Four of Dr. North’s colleagues (Drs Kehl, Lo, Sander, Gheorghe) have joined the project, bringing additional subspecialty laboratory expertise covering chemistry, microbiology/virology, anatomic pathology/hematopathology, and molecular diagnostics. Our sister institution, the Blood Center of Wisconsin, will help with the transfusion medicine component after essential equipping and staffing of the Lab is established. In addition, consultative support from the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin will be provided in developing a region-appropriate cervical cancer screening program that will utilize the new laboratory’s HPV PCR detection and sub-typing capability. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Luis-

My apologies for the delayed note; today is my first moment to regroup after the travels and clinical call upon return.

First, my best wishes to you, Mary and your family as you face her illness together.  I know it is very difficult, but I also know that support of family and friends in these situations is important.  All of us here are friends who offer our unqualified support and our prayers.

With regard to Yantalo and Peru, let me say simply, thank you.  Though not as much as you, I have traveled and lived many places…the trip to Yantalo was unique, memorable and positive in ways that surprised me.  What you are doing rekindled some of my 1960’s idealism.  It was one of the most rewarding trips I’ve undertaken; the medical aspects, Yantalo school, our companions, the jungle, everything about it. Your kindness and hospitality were extraordinary.  I am indebted to you for all of your efforts on our behalf.

We’ll talk the week of October 12 regarding next steps.  I have given this some thought.  If we are to organize a Jan/Feb 2010 meeting related to minimally invasive surgery we will have to move quickly.  We are planning a lecture here on campus later this month to provide our colleagues some insight.  We’ll talk.

Again, gracias and best wishes.

Keith T. Oldham, MD
Professor and Chief
Division of Pediatric Surgery
Medical College of Wisconsin
Marie Z. Uihlein Chair and Surgeon-in-Chief
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin