Montero Medical Missions Adopts Mindanao Hospital

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 was a red-letter day for the province of Surigao del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. Its capital city of Tandag was the venue for the official signing of the Memorandum of Agreement documents in the adoption of the provincial hospital, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center by Montero Medical Missions. It was attended by no less than the Secretary and Undersecretary of Health, Drs. Enrique'Ike' Ona and Teodoro'Ted' Herbosa respectively. This is the first hospital adopted under the  auspices and control of the Department of Health, not the provincial government. There were 20 co-signatories, including six from Virginia: Montero Medical Missions, American Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, Beach Eye Care, Virginia Center for Eye Surgery, Community United Methodist Church, Philippine Medical Association of Southeastern Virginia.

This event was in concurrence with the three-day eyesight medical mission trip of MMM, led by our MMM Eyesight Programs Chairman, Virginia Beach-based ophthalmologist Peyton Neatrour,MD and participated by humanitarian ophthalmologists from neighboring provinces, namely: Drs. Joseph Custodio, Leonel Santos, Ed Tan, Matt Baruc and Noel Chua from Manila who is Chairman of the National Committee for Sight Preservation. 100 surgeries were performed and mainly cataract operations. There were 600 patients screened, refracted and given eyeglasses by optometrists, led by Dr. Chris Buniel, our Director of MMM Eyesight 20/20 Project. He was joined in by colleagues; Drs. Lance Buniel, Belinda Daus, Jonathan Dango and Ma.Teresa Cordovez.The Neatrour children joined by their church youth pastor Steve Watson, screened 400 patients for diabetes as they did two years ago with support from Eastern Virginia Medical School Strelitz Diabetes Center. The province responded to this dedicated family with a laudable Provincial Board Resolution, citing its own adoption of the Neatrour family: Peyton, Leslie, Kristin, Katie and Greg by the grateful people of Surigao del Sur.

Our second sustainable healthcare project, the MMM Prosthesis, founded and led by Mike Smith, CPO and owner of American Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, received a most pleasant surprise. We were told that it will have a 3000 sq.ft. space in the planned new administrative building where the MMM Eyesight 20/20 Center will also be located. Dr. Ona did the honors at the groundbreaking ceremony. This complements the newly built hospital. To top it all, we found a willing William Aguilar, President of 'Persons With Disabilities' to chair this project in the province. Rehabilitation physician, Mayla Tee,MD and technician Winnie Belosillo, both from Manila representing Physicians for Peace Philippines, joined Mike for a day in screening 30 amputees for eventual prosthesis fitting. After meeting with four government employed dentists, we laid the groundwork for our MMM Dental Care project and to be locally chaired by Dr. Earl Cloyd Mira. This involves a curriculum to train volunteer dental oral educators, preparatory to our plan to eventually graduate dental assistants. This third MMM healthcare project is chaired by Vicki Brett, Director of Dental Assisting Program at ECPI University in Va, Beach. Our consultant is Warren Sachs, DDS, a veteran missioner.

We were graciously hosted by the province of Surigao del Sur thru the excellent leadership of Gov. Johnny and civic leader Lelis Pimentel and by Tandag City thru Mayor Roxanne and former mayor Ayec Pimentel.

Back in States, we are now busy collecting usable and functional equipment and machines to send by year's end, via a 40 ft. container to MMM's newly adopted hospital which practically needs everything, according to our expert logistician, Jim Ireland and MMM benefactors, Jean and Sharon. MMM appreciates any cash donation thru pay pal or in-kind donation when applicable. We have a tax-exempt 501[c][3] status.