Otolaryngologists from Around Kenya Participate in January 2020 ENT Camp

Some US and Kenyan Camp participants (L to R): Samuel Okerosi, Avinash Mantravadi, Ian Macharia, Kelly Okumu, Mohan Rao, Cliffe Omwenga, Emily Funk, Neville Bonko, Bruce Campbell, Mary Omutsani, Diana Sullivan

History of the ENT Camp

The AMPATH ENT partnership began in 2009 followed by the first ENT Camp in 2010. There has been a camp every year since then except in 2017. In 2018 and 2019, a group from the University of Alberta also held a camp. Several otolaryngologists, primarily from Indiana University, have participated over the years. In addition, residents and students have participated from IU, Medical College of Wisconsin, and UC-San Diego.

Generally, camp screens 80 to 100 clinic patients, from which are chosen 30 to 50 surgical cases. Since 2015, camp has included clinical and outcomes research. Patients who have had surgery in the past return during the week for evaluation and to participate in the studies. In 2020, we were pleased to have an IU attending, head/neck and microvascular surgeon Avinash Mantravadi, and an IU OTO resident, Kazim Alwani, participate. We look forward to continuing our friendships and collaboration with the otolaryngologists in Eldoret and throughout Kenya. -Susan Cordes, MD

The 2020 MTRH ENT Camp brought together experienced surgeons and advanced learners from both the US and Kenya. In addition to rotating Moi University medical students and three MTRH otolaryngologists (Drs. Henry Ngoitsi, Denge Makaya, and Titus Sisenda), participants included Dr. Kelly Okumu (Kericho), Dr. Mary Omutsani (Nairobi), two new consultants (Drs. Ian Macharia and Samuel Okerosi), and three current Nairobi registrars (Drs. Cliffe Omwenga, Neville Bonko, and Uhenya Chumba). Not only did the Camp provide experiences for surgeons working in other parts of Kenya, Drs. Bonko and Chumba will eventually take what they learned even further, when they return to their home countries of Cameroon and Zambia, respectively.

Participants chose procedures on which to scrub from a list of thirty-five cases, some of which they had only read about but never seen. Thyroid, parotid, and endoscopic sinus surgeries, rarely done by Kenyan otolaryngologists, were popular among the Camp participants. The Camp focused on Head/Neck, Rhinology, and Peds OTO during the six days in theatre. In addition to the thyroid, parotid, and sinus cases, patients had surgery for nerve sheath tumors, congenital cysts, and a variety of neck masses. The team was also consulted on a large post-traumatic skull base defect. North American participants included Team Leader Susan Cordes, MD and Kyle Cordes (Ukiah CA), Bruce Campbell, MD and Kathi Campbell, RN (Milwaukee WI), Diana Sullivan, RN (Indianapolis), Avinash Mantravadi, MD (IU), Mohan Rao, MD (Fort Wayne IN), and four residents. Over 60 Kenyans, some old and some new friends, helped make the Camp possible.

We are very grateful to all of our supporters, donors, and friends who make this possible. Thanks to the reps who go the extra mile and come up with supplies. Thanks to the colleagues at our home institutions who set aside great items and cover our clinical duties. Thanks to AMPATH who has built this remarkable partnership and infrastructure. Thanks to our great Kenyan friends and colleagues at Moi, MTRH, the IU House, and AMPATH who prepare for our visits, arrive early, stay late, and work tirelessly for the patients. You are all the best!

For information, contact Susan Cordes, MD or Bruce Campbell, MD.