Local Physician to Discuss Mission of Mercy at Pearl River High School

Dr. Edward Fisher, D.D.S will relate accounts of his initial medical mission to Ethiopia in a presentation entitled “A Mission of Hope” on February 28 at Pearl River High School.  The program will start at 7:30 PM and admission is free.

Fisher has practiced pediatric dentistry in Tappan for over 35 years. He served as a member of a medical team that traveled to Dessie, Ethiopia to provide care to people in a desolate area of that country.

The project was sponsored by Rotaplast International, a not-for-profit organization supported by Rotary and a number of other organizations.  This specific trip was underwritten by a Rotary District in the Netherlands while the Pearl River Rotary chapter donated money in Fisher’s name. Fisher is a member and former president of Pearl River Rotary.

The primary service that Rotaplast International provides is free reconstructive operations and treatment for children in need worldwide.  Another stated goal of the organization is to “help foster international goodwill, peace and understanding.”  Rotaplast is striving to eliminate the incidence of untreated cleft lips and palates in children worldwide by the year 2025.

Fisher commented that this trip “was an eye opener. As a dentist, I removed 30 teeth in seven days. The teeth were generally magnificent (which is) very unusual for such a desolate area   However, there is very little sugar in the local diet and also the people chew on a wooden stick that cleans the teeth and keeps the gums healthy.  This stick is their tooth brush and they use no tooth paste.”

The rest of the time Fisher said he, “Essentially acted as a scrub nurse on a variety of operations.  No one was referred to as doctor this or doctor that, everybody on the team was addressed by their first name.”

The team included four anesthesiologists, four plastic surgeons, two pediatricians, an orthodontic resident, nine nurses, clerical staff and Fisher.  The typical work day began at 7:30 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m.  Each day started after waking at 6 a.m., walking a half mile to breakfast, and then another half mile to the hospital.

The town is located 8,500 feet above sea level.  It was typically quite chilly each morning with temperatures of 35 to 40 degrees before warming up in the afternoon to between 65-70 degrees. 

“There was no running water, no heat and no toilets in the houses.  But they did have electricity to watch the government TV," Fisher said.

The medical team treated 83 patients in the week they spent in Ethiopia.  A number of the patients suffered from cleft palate but more often they suffered from scalds or burns. 

“In this case it was 30% clefts and the balance scalds or other surgeries," Fisher said.  "In most cases, it is mostly clefts.

“The only way to boil water is on electric hot plates and that frequently causes scalds or burns.  When these injuries aren’t treated the skin contracts.  Frequently this changes the shape of limbs and bones that haven’t been treated.  We repaired the scalds that hadn’t been treated.”

Dr. Fisher added that a number of patients suffered from cancer and they removed as much of the malignances as they could. 

“My biggest fear is will these people receive the necessary follow up therapy?” Fisher said

Would he undertake such a taxing project again?

“Yes, without question," Fisher said. "Frankly, this was on my bucket list and will remain on my bucket list.” 

“I asked myself if we made a difference.  Yes, because we helped kids who never had any medical treatment and even adults 45 years of age.  It gave me great satisfaction beyond comprehension.”

Dr. Fisher has been on the staff of Jawonio for over 25 years.  He is married and has two grown children.