Ghana 2012: Nurse prepares for first medical mission

Sarah-Ross Tolin, RN, is about to fly off for the experience of a lifetime.

She’s one of a dozen registered nurses and registered certified nurse anesthetists joining a surgical mission led by the Colorectal Center at Cincinnati Children’s to the West African nation of Ghana.

The team includes 34 surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and other volunteers who will spend next week at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra performing advanced surgery for dozens of children in need.

Families will travel from throughout Ghana and from neighboring countries to receive treatments for complex colorectal and gynecological conditions. Many of the children have been waiting for years to receive these operations.

In addition to the surgeries, the team will provide training for medical professionals and will renovate a Mothers’ Hostel at the Korle Bu hospital with support from the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cincinnati.

Watch this video to see what Sarah-Ross Tolin expects from the week ahead:

For more information: follow these links to see a video from Dr. Marc Levitt and a more detailed story about the Ghana mission.