Operation Walk Virginia is just about ready to board the plane for our next mission September 18-25, 2010 when we will be heading to Guayaquil, Ecuador.  We will be working at a large hospital named Hospital General Luis Vernaza which is one of the five hospitals owned by the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil a large philanthropic organization in Guayaquil.In April 2009, Julie Warner and Debbie Stewart travelled to Guayaquil (after an unexpected return visit to Quito sponsored by the weather!) to meet with members of the Junta de Beneficencia and the medical and orthopedic directors of the Hospital Luis Vernaza. We again were accompanied by Ricardo Bowen, Honorary Consul General for Ecuador for the Houston, TX area.  Additionally, we had the honor and privilege of meeting with the former President of Ecuador, Dr. Alfredo Palacio González, who in addition to a cardiology practice also works with the medical school who will be providing us with medical students for translators in exchange for medical experiences with the students – a win/win for all!

Southcom is once again helping us to get our supplies to Ecuador and for that we are forever grateful.  Jose Molinar and Phyliss Marshall have been beyond helpful throughout this process and our supplies left Tuesday August 10th by truck to Houston where it will be shipped to Guayaquil.

Ellie Turner of ATT Travel is making our travel arrangements for us again.

Along with the Inova crowd of volunteers making the trip we have a surgeon and medical student joining us from Houston, TX, a surgeon and nurse joining us from Birmingham Alabama, a surgeon and his doctor wife joining us from Canada as well as a physical therapist from North Carolina.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for more information about Operation Walk America – where we will be donating surgeries to Americans in need…

Here are some sponsors that have helped us complete our mission,