World Paediatrics hosts General Orthopaedics Medical Team in SVG

World Paediatrics (WP), hosted a General Orthopaedics team at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (“MCMH”) on June, 22, 2025 where a total of 53 children from St Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider region were assessed, and 19 surgeries were performed over a three-day period.

A release from WP said the team attended to children with orthopaedic complications to the lower extremity of the body such as limb length discrepancies, Club feet, and Blount’s disease, more commonly known as “Bowlegs”.

Dr Eric Gordon, team leader, was joined on this trip by Dr TJ Lockhart , Anaesthesiologist; Dr Meg

Cornaghie, Orthopaedic Surgeon Fellow; Jacob Mattingly, Orthotist; Brad Powell, and Dwayne Johnson, OR technicians; Donna Griffin, Physical Therapist; Jill Hahn, registered Nurse; and Jessica Hasset Ortho-Paediatrics representative. Local support was provided by Doctors Charles Woods and Jasmine Davy-Ellis; as well as Physiotherapist at MCMH, Janelle Ballah.

During clinic day and the surgical week, support was provided by local MCMH staff and OR nurses.

After evaluating the children, some of whom travelled from other regional countries including Saint Lucia and Saint Kitt and Nevis, 19 surgeries were scheduled between Monday, June 23 to Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Of the 19 surgeries performed, one stood out- that involving a young man who had an unfortunate fall at home and fractured his femur while clinic was taking place. He was not originally on the team’s schedule, but after being taken urgently to the clinic, the team made room to assess and operate. Thanks to their presence and quick response, he received the life-changing surgery he needed, the release states.

“I am beyond grateful for this experience and my son being able to receive the treatment he needed.

They made sure we were well-informed every step of the way,” were the words of gratitude expressed by one of the parents whose child underwent surgery during this trip.

The medical team, volunteers and World Paediatrics staff have extended sincerest gratitude to the Tawani Foundation for sponsoring this medical team, and their support in making a difference in the lives of the children who received care.

The next two visits on island will be made by a World Paediatrics Speech and Language Therapy team, and a Physical and Occupational Therapy team.