Here are some testimonials of recent Volunteer Brazil mission participants and team leaders, that have honored us with their visit, their great work and most importantly, with their friendship:
01. Dr. Charles Horton, MD
President and Founder
Physicians for Peace
Virginia, US
Dear Paulo Seidl:
On behalf of the Medical Team, the Board and staff of Physicians For Peace, I want to thank you for this tremendous opportunity to practice our skills and share the joy of medicine with our friends in Brazil. Yesterday, Team Leader Dr. Juan Montero gave a glowing report about the hospitality and coordination of arrangements extended by FUNDAMED. The team's formal and informal lectures fostered PFP's vision; that through teaching and learning we are all enriched. We trust our host physicians will utilize their upgraded skill level for their daily patient care, and hope they feel the PFP-FUNDAMED mission was as successful as we do.
It was a great honor for Physicians For Peace to launch the first team of specialists into Brazil, to learn and to teach and to make new friends in this fascinating part of the world. The support from FUNDAMED and your personal presence during the mission were invaluable. You are a true civilian ambassador of your country.
We can all take pride in the accomplishments and friendships which were made, and know that our efforts helped to further the cause of world peace and international goodwill by providing medical education and patient care to those in need. Once again, Paulo, thank you for your tremendous efforts.
02. Mr. Stan Brock
President and Founder
Remote Area Medical TEAMS
Tennessee, US
Dear Paulo Seidl:
I have had a lengthy discussion with David Chacko about the mission and he is sending me his report and the medical history forms. He was extremely pleased with the expedition and very happy with the way you organized things so efficiently.
The 51 surgeries that were completed may not seem like a large number but each one was done very carefully and David tells me that the post-operative results looked very good. Clearly this was a very good operation and very well hosted by you and your colleagues. We all look forward to working with you on more projects like this in the future. Thanks for a great job.
03. Dr. Jack Demos, MD
President and Founder
SURGI-CORPS
Pittsburgh, PA
Surgicorps Int'l is a Pittsburgh, PA, based charitable volunteer organization formed in 1994 to improve the delivery of health care throughout the world. Since its inception, this organization has traveled to countries the world over supplying much needed medical and surgical care to individuals without the resources to otherwise obtain this care. Three of our trips have been to Brazil, these trips beautifully orchestrated and coordinated by Paulo Seidl and FUNDAMED.
Cooperative efforts between these American and Brazilian organizations have resulted in surgical correction of significant congenital, traumatic, and developmental deformities in over two hundred individuals. FUNDAMED has been instrumental in the care of these unfortunate indigent individuals, and obviously has tremendously expedited our overseas work. We look forward to a long-lasting continued mutually beneficial relationship between our groups as we strive to share resources and expertise in the treatment of those in need throughout Brazil.
04. Dr. David Howard, DDS
Team Leader
Dental and Medical Mission
Utah, US
FUNDAMED is an organization set up to improve the health standards of impoverished communities in northern Brazil. Typically FUNDAMED will work with community leaders to organize humanitarian medical and dental expeditions to provide treatment otherwise not available to the respective community residents. In other efforts FUNDAMED will help the community establish a well and sewage system if an acceptable source does not exist.
As a dentist in participation with FUNDAMED I have found
the program to be very well organized. It is the participant responsibility
to arrive in Brazil. However, once in Brazil there is little if any detail
for the participating dentist or physician to worry about. The travel
to the area of service, as well as, the food and accommodations while
in the area of service are provided for. In preparation for the humanitarian
service FUNDAMED works with the leaders of the community, and an organized
plan is ready by the time the participants arrive. Therefore, the benefit
of service is optimized, and many recipients are enriched.
05. Dr. James Norris, MD
President and Founder
JAMTAK, Inc.
New York, NY
Last year I made two trips to Brazil for mission work. Our teams worked in Hospital São Lucas located in Juazeiro do Norte, a small town in the northeast state of Ceara. My trip was sponsored by my company, JAMTAK INTERNATIONAL INC.; SMALL WORLD FOUNDATION out of Dallas, Texas; and FUNDAMED in BRAZIL. FUNDAMED coordinated all of our travel from Fortaleza to Juazeiro do Norte, made all arrangements for our accommodations, provided translators and any assistance we needed during our stay.
FUNDAMED'S flawless preparations and unwavering support were instrumental in making these missions highly successful. Additionally, we were given warm receptions by the Mayor and his staff. Hospital São Lucas is an efficient, spotlessly clean facility with a capable cooperative staff. It is fortunate to have a dedicated and superb chief of Surgery and our plastic surgery colleague was equally proficient and cooperative. FUNDAMED through its unexcelled coordination of efforts of all involved ably demonstrates what can be achieved through an international cooperative effort.
06. Dr. Terry Norris, DDS
Team Leader
Northern Arizona Dental Team
Arizona, US
Dear Paulo Seidl:
I have had the opportunity to travel to Brazil on three separate occasions under the auspices of Fundamed. On each trip, we have been treated very well. We usually stay in the finest hotels available, and are treated royally. Transportation is provided, and the opportunity to serve is abundant. The need in Brazil for your services is so great that you will be wanted for years to come. The people are so grateful for your service to them because, otherwise, they would have to suffer for a much longer time.
The first time I went, my time and finances were high on the list of priorities, but after the first trip, they were at the bottom of the list. I just wanted to get back and help as many people as I could and the cost became insignificant. While you may encounter clinical conditions that are not perfect, you will find that you can work around the problems and the people are most helpful and supportive. If you decide to come to Brazil, you will have an experience you will never forget! Boa Viagem!
07. Dr. James Palleschi, MD
Team Leader
International Volunteers in Urology, Inc.
Georgia, US
In late November of 1999 I traveled to Juazeiro do Norte representing the International Volunteers in Urology. My goal was to begin the process of bringing contemporary urological care to the people of this area. The experience was one of the most gratifying of my life. The people of this area have so little, but are so appreciative and warm.
All of the people at Sao Lucas hospital, including the nurses, physicians, and entire support staff were wonderful. Of course none of this would have been possible had it not been for Fundamed, which coordinated everything for us. Our accommodations were exceptionally good, transportation was always available, and translators were provided (their services were crucial to the success of our mission). It would be my hope that American physicians can continue to work with Fundamed for the benefit of the deserving people of Brazil. The need is very great.
08. Pastor Mario Ceballos
Chaplain and Team Leader
SHARES/Florida Hospital
Orlando, FL
I was the chaplain on a Medical Mission trip from the US to Brazil. I have been to several mission trips to Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico and the Dominican Republic and this was the best ever. FUNDAMED did a fantastic job in securing accommodations, hospital and permits, for our physicians and nurses to deliver free medical care to people that were in desperate need of medical attention and this was the only way for them to get it. Paulo Seidl was very professional and provided what he said he would. I am planning another mission trip to Brazil hosted by Paulo Seidl and FUNDAMED.
09. Dr. Kelly Reber
President and Founder
Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical and Surgical
Flagstaff, AZ
My name is Dr Kelly Reber and I represent the Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical and Surgical Corp. For the past several years we have worked closely with FUNDAMED in providing health care to the poor in northern Brazil. As many of you know there is a great deal of red tape and preparation that goes into a medical trip to a country like Brazil. Without the help of FUNDAMED it would be impossible for us to get into the country. More importantly it is nice to know that when we arrive all of the details will be taken care of. Paulo Seidl has been excellent to work with and has so many connections to get the job done. Our team has traveled to many different countries and FUNDAMED has been our best connection in getting into the country and providing health care with the least amount of hassle.
10. Mrs. Patricia Williams
President
Mercy International Health Services
Michigan, US
Fundamed has proven to be a gracious and helpful host for Mercy International Health Services medical teams conducting surgical missions in Brazil. They have identified populations with high levels of need and few resources to ensure that we are serving the neediest. They have facilitated the local logistical aspects of our missions, allowing our teams to maximize their time on site and put forth their best efforts. Fundamed's commitment to bringing people with need together with available medical resources is commendable.
