Dr. Kaw and His Experience Volunteering with One World Surgery

This past May, Crystal Run Healthcare Sports Medicine Specialist Pankaj Kaw, MD, teamed up with new Optum colleagues to attend a week-long medical mission trip with One World Surgery to the Dominican Republic. We interviewed him about his experience.

How did you learn about the trip and what inspired you?
 In late March I spoke with Caitlin Zulla, the CEO of Optum East, after she presented on Optum’s relationship with One World Surgery (OWS). Having done some Medical and Surgical missions before, I was immediately attracted to the concept. Caitlin guided and connected me to the vibrant and passionate team of OWS and I joined the May group going to the Dominican Republic.

Did you attend with any of your colleagues? 
For this particular mission, there were close to 19 volunteers. There were four Physicians along with two Nurse Practitioners. I was the only subspecialist physician from the tri-state area.

What types of treatments did you provide/what conditions did you see the most in DR?
We treated around 500 patients in 5 days. The typical medical cases that I saw for adults were uncomplicated routine upper respiratory infections, headaches, dehydration, Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, chest pain, and different types of anemia. For my pediatric patients, besides malnutrition, we also encountered a lot of worms and parasite infestations.

What was different about the patients that you treated while on your mission trip?
Although I treated a lot of common medical ailments, being a subspecialist my focus was to treat the musculoskeletal issues that people had. I saw and treated patients with all types of joint pains, arthritis, and other limb swelling. There were a lot of patients with tendonitis, Carpal tunnels, Dequervain’s tenosynovitis, and trigger fingers, just to name a few. I also saw many patients with recent injuries, fractures, and lacerations as well as patients with amputation who needed wound care.

What did you most take away from your time treating patients in the Dominican Republic?
In a rapidly advancing technological world, we sometimes forget that in remote and resource-limited settings, a thorough history and clinical examination can be extremely helpful in diagnosing as well as treating routine common ailments. This approach not only saves resources but also ensures patients receive prompt care in areas with limited access to health care facilities. Also mentoring and sharing one’s knowledge and expertise with the next generation of local medical students and residents can have a profound impact on the future.

What would you tell others who are considering going on an OWS Mission Trip?
In the midst of hectic schedules as health care providers we often forget the core reason we choose the medical profession to begin with. Missions like this not only give one immense gratification but also the satisfaction of making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals who might otherwise have no access to healthcare. The trip allows us to get out of one’s comfort zone and get a different perspective of the world. One also gets immersed in a new culture and gets a sense of global perspective of medicine. Ultimately it allows one to be part of “something bigger than themselves”.

Pankaj Kaw, MD is a board-certified sports medicine specialist at Crystal Run Healthcare. He earned his Medical Degree at King George Medical University in Lucknow, India. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, MD and his Internal Medicine Internship at Wyckoff Height Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Kaw is seeing patients in Middletown and Monroe, NY.