Dr. Goding participates in Fiji medical mission. »

Fiji Medical Mission Completed by Dr. Richard Goding.

Waimea, Kauai. August 24, 2005 -- “I’ve been planning this mission for years, and I’m happy it has finally come to fruition,” said Dr. Richard Goding on his return from his first trip to Fiji. Dr. Goding of Kauai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Center at KVMH traveled to the country to teach local Fijian surgeons advanced orthopaedic surgical techniques in fracture care.

Dr. Goding traveled to Fiji to work with the Fiji School of Medicine on a seven-day medical mission. The objective of the mission was to teach local surgeons and surgical students a more advanced way to treat severe bone fractures. The technique involves inserting a long rod made of surgical-grade stainless steel through the canal of the bone to secure pieces of the bone together thereby allowing for proper healing of the fracture.

Dr. Goding gained valuable experience in severe fracture care while working in major trauma areas such as Honolulu, Washington D.C, and New York City during his training. “To be able to share medical knowledge is one of the great benefits of being a physician. The local Fijian doctors can now take their new knowledge to other doctors in the area and the result can truly impact how healthcare is delivered in the South Pacific region,” expressed Dr. Goding.

Dr. Goding teamed up with Dr. Jeffery Tamborlane of Oahu and the Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) in completing this medical mission. Through donations attained by Dr. Goding and Dr. Tamborlane the SIGN organization was able to supply implants to the Fiji School of Medicine for use at its hospital. As a result of SIGN’s involvement, the medical school will receive steel implants as donations from the organization indefinitely. Having these rods available to the school continually will have a major impact on how severe fractures are treated in this developing country.

“We look forward to working with Dr. Goding to continue advancing orthopaedic care in Fiji and throughout the region. Orthopaedics in Fiji has taken a tremendous step forward,” stated Dr. Eddie McCraig, Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics for the Fiji School of Medicine.

Dr. Goding is creating an organization called the Pacific Island Orthopaedic Foundation that will focus on providing orthopaedic training in the South Pacific region. The organization will be based on Kauai and will work with nations such as Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, and Micronesia.

“I believe that we can have a major impact over the long term, and I look forward to working with my newfound colleagues in Fiji and the surrounding countries,” Dr. Goding added. “It excites me to be able to share what is available to Kauai residents, and many residents of the U.S., with developing countries that aren’t as fortunate to have that level of care.”

Photo: Dr. Goding with Fiji School of Medicine staff and students (Click to view photo.)

-------
Photo Credit: Contributed Photo. Contact us for a high resolution image.