ReSurge June Newsletter
ReSurge International
Transforming lives in low-income countries by providing free, safe reconstructive surgical care to the underserved.
Welcome to our June Newsletter. This month, we celebrated new beginnings and honored lasting legacies. The prestigious media outlet Stanford Social Innovation Review published an op-ed piece co-authored by ReSurge's Natalie Meyers, MPH , and Anna Santos . We organized the first-time meet-up of two heroic burn survivors, gaining recognition from the U.S. Embassy in Nepal and across digital media and we celebrated?the impactful legacy of ReSurge?leader Beverly Kent. To those of you entering ReSurge and those starting new chapters beyond ReSurge, know that you will always be a part of the ReSurge family. Thank you for your continued support and dedication!
The ReSurge Team
ReSurge in the Media:?The Impact of Training
Stanford Social Innovation Review a leading media outlet for cross-sector solutions to global problems, published an op-ed piece co-authored by ReSurge's Natalie Meyers and Anna Santos. The article shares how ReSurge developed a first-of-its-kind model to measure surgical training in low-income countries. It focuses on ReSurge's research study , which found that just one surgeon in a low-income country can treat 10,000 patients in their career, and if they become a full-time surgeon-trainer, they can transform over 400,000 lives in their lifetime by their succeeding trainees:
"We will leverage this data to fuel our work and continue to adapt and innovate while demonstrating to donors and institutions that we can close the unmet burden of surgical disease through investment in long-term training to increase surgical capacity."
ReSurge Connects Two Iconic Burn Survivors
ReSurge led and organized the first-ever meeting between Natalia Ponce de León, a heroic acid attack survivor and activist from Colombia, and Muskan Khatun, an acid attack survivor, ReSurge patient, and human rights activist from Nepal. Both iconic burn survivors, activists, and the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage?Award winners — Natalia formed a mentorship relationship with Muskan, and the two bonded over their shared experiences and stories.?ReSurge was honored to receive recognition from the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, which supported the meeting. We also facilitated a confidence-building session for other young burn survivors at Kirtipur Hospital. During the session, Natalia and Muskan initiated a meaningful dialogue with the young women, fostering empowerment and support.
This marks the beginning of a new partnership as we advocate for the eradication of gender-based violence and intentional burn injuries. It?is part of a broader strategic initiative that is yet to be unveiled.?Watch the meeting come to life ?and stay tuned for more updates.
Patient Story: Healing by the River
Mona is a nine-year-old ReSurge patient who lives with her family in a small community of caravans near the Sahastradhara River in Dehradun, India. As a baby, Mona sustained burns on the left side of her body in a cooking fire accident. ReSurge Surgical Partner, Dr. Kush Aeron provided multiple surgeries free of cost for Mona. He placed a tissue expander under her scalp to stretch the healthy skin. Once completed, Dr. Aeron will perform a reconstructive surgery that will enable her to regrow her hair. He then hopes to reconstruct an ear for Mona with the ongoing support of ReSurge donors.
After Monas' burn accident as a baby, her father transitioned from working as a day laborer to performing on the streets as an "Aghori Baba," to support their family. Mona’s mother is deaf but communicates very effectively with her version of sign language. She keeps a tidy home and cooks all their meals over an open fire. Mona's parents tragically lost their other children, so they keep Mona close. At ReSurge, we wish Mona a smooth healing process, one strand at a time.
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PWRS Women in Cohort 3 Complete Their Last Surgical Training Trip
ReSurge women surgeons in the third cohort of our Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery (PWRS) program completed their last Surgical Team Training Trip together in Vietnam this month. They had a wonderful time collaborating and learning about breast cancer reconstruction from expert ReSurge partners and medical volunteers, including Dr. Dung Nguyen, Dr. Suzanne Inchauste, and Dr. Trung Hau. The trip was filled with powerful moments and learnings on breast cancer care while bonding as a team and community of women surgeons.
We look forward to them expanding?access to care?within their respective communities. For more updates from the trip follow us on?Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter . We are excited to welcome PWRS Cohort 4 next fall – stay tuned!
The Matolase Mtonga Scholarship
The 2024 Matolase Mtonga Scholarship for Women in Reconstructive Surgery is now open! In 2021, we tragically and unexpectedly lost the life of one of our pioneering surgeons , Dr. Matolase Mtonga. In honor of her perseverance, leadership, and aspirations for a world where no one suffered needlessly due to a lack of access to reconstructive surgical care, ReSurge and SkinCeuticals established this annual scholarship in her name. This year, we’re awarding 14 scholarships to women from a low- or middle-income country. We invite eligible candidates to apply !
Podcast Interview with ReSurge President and CEO
Claire Lachance, President and CEO of ReSurge International, joined Yolanda Canny, the host of the "Girl Take The Lead! Podcast" to discuss?ReSurge’s programs and global impact. Together, they covered several topics, including ReSurge at the United Nations, patient stories of transformation, and recent milestones with our Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery (PWRS) program. Learn about Claire's philosophy on leadership and vision for ReSurge. You can watch the full interview on the "Girl Take The Lead!" Podcast. ?
28 Years of Wonderful Service: Beverly Kent
Beverly Kent, our Chief Operations Officer,?will be retiring on June 30, 2024, after 28 years of exceptional service to ReSurge International.?Bev has been pivotal in increasing access to reconstructive surgery worldwide for thousands of patients, who may not have otherwise received life-changing care.?She has also deeply impacted the careers and lives of dozens of surgical partners, hundreds of medical volunteers, and ReSurge staff.?The?Beverly Kent Fund ?has been established in her honor to support ReSurge's vital work, to which Bev devoted her extraordinary career.
We invite you to celebrate Bev's retirement and legacy of service by making a gift to the?Beverly Kent Fund ?today.?