World Paediatrics hosts double team – Neurosurgery and Craniofacial

World Pediatrics’ Neurosurgery and Craniofacial medical teams held a dual clinic at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (“MCMH”) on Sunday, June 8, 2025, where they evaluated 74 children across both specialties from St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and other OECS countries such as Saint Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts.

A WP release said the Neurosurgery team focused on children with neurological issues affecting the brain, spine, or nervous system, while the Craniofacial team treated those with developmental conditions like cleft lip and palate or traumatic facial injuries.

The Neurosurgery team, led by Dr Gary Tye, Paediatric Neurosurgeon; and the Craniofacial team, led by Dr Jennifer Rhodes, Paediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeon, worked alongside Dr Jay Shapiro, Paediatric Anaesthesiologist; Dr Lawrence Jones, Anaesthesiology, resident; Dr Kelsey Atkinson, Paediatric Neurosurgery, resident; Dr Megan Newsom, Plastic Surgery, resident; JoAnn Tillet, Circulating/Recovery Room Nurse; and Molly McCabe, OR Nurse.

Local Paediatric General Surgeon, Dr Jasmine Davy-Ellis and OR staff at MCMH also supported them.

Dr Tye and his team saw 43 children and completed four surgeries throughout a 3-day period from Monday, June 9 –Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The Craniofacial team saw 31 children and completed 13 surgeries within the same time period.

Dr Jennifer Rhodes noted some of the highlights of the week during a short interview.

“It was a great opportunity to work with two local surgeons, Dr Ellis and Dr Cumberbatch on a patient with a burn scar to the face,” she said. Some of the other highlights mentioned were completing combined paediatric neurosurgery and plastic surgery cases that had never been done before, and the high volume of cases from across the islands. She also highlighted that, “Dr Tye, first time, did a paediatric tumour resection, so it’s nice to bring that skill to the island”.

Both teams were sponsored by The Mustique Charitable Foundation. World Paediatrics, medical volunteers and families extend their most heartfelt appreciation to the Foundation for supporting our Caribbean children, the WP release noted. “ It is uplifting to see the transformations that are made in the lives of these children, and it is not possible without this support.”

The organization said it is now preparing for its next team to SVG being the General Orthopaedics team on June, 22, 2025.

Individuals interested in following and supporting the work of World Pediatrics, can visit their website at www.worldpediatrics.org, or call their local office at 1-(784)-451-2989.