BICOL USA HOUSTON CHAPTER
Surgical and Medical Mission Report

From February 1 to 5, 2010 Bicol USA Houston Chapter (BUHC) joined Bay Area Camarines Norte Association (BACNA) based in Bay Area, San Francisco, California for the Surgical and Medical Mission held in the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital in Daet Camarines Norte, Philippines.

BUHC was represented by 5 Volunteers from Houston, Texas namely: Fe Dumlao-BUHC member, Eden Fernandez-BUHC member, Cecile Verdejo-BUHC 1st VP, Gwen Zalun-BUHC President, and Archie Zalun-BUHC Past President. There were 37 volunteers which comprised of a talented team of surgeons, anesthesiologist, ophthalmologist, nurses and lay staffs. Sylvia Salvador, President of BACNA was able to grouped volunteers from Kaiser Permanente, S. San Francisco headed by Dr. David Le as the lead surgeon, Dr. Charlene Hsu-Winges, ophthalmologist ALOHA volunteer from Hawaii and Dr. Praxidio Tagala, oby-gyne from Pensylvania USA. 
The Surgical and Medical mission lasted for 5 straight days. A total of 259 cases, consultations and referrals were accounted for and were listed as follows:
43 major cases such as ovarian cyst, hernia, thyroidectomy, cleft palate; 22 optha cases includes squints (cross-eyed), cataract, ptyredium; 121 minor cases such as lumps and bumps and 73 consultations and referrals.

On the same occasion, February 4, 2010 the Bicol USA Houston Chapter led by Gwen Zalun, Cecile Verdejo and Archie Zalun distributed 10 units of Nebulizer sets for adults and children and 5 units of Glucometer with 50-strips to the different towns in the Bicol Region. The group of BUHC personally handed the equipment to the following recipients: Libmanan District Hospital (Anunciacion Francisco,RN), Oas Municipal Health Office (Dr. Marie Revereza), Barangay Pigcale Health Center Legaspi City (Allan Santillan), Lagonoy Municipal Health Center (Dr. R. Odiamar), Magallanes Municipal Health, Sorsogon (Dr. Eden Carrascal), San Vicente Municipal Health Center (Eric Molina) Camarines Norte and Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital (Dr. E. Salagoste). The itinerary was completed and the mission was accomplished.

The two Bicol Organizations collaborated successfully to bring needed medical care to the underprivileged people of the Camarines Norte province. Through 12-hour work shifts and dinners hosted by several residents in the Daet area, the experience was irreplaceable and gratifying. The event ultimately was a success; bringing camaraderie amongst the organizations, fellow Bicolanos, and team of medical staff.
 The BUHC looks forward to participating in more events such as this in the near future. We thank all the generous patrons and friends as well as the BUHC members who had been very supportive of this Mission.  For pictures, please log on to bicolusa.com. . . adzalun

Dios Mabalos,
Gwen S. Zalun
President 2008-1010
Bicol USA Houston Chapter