Richard Siegal, one of our surgeons and a longtime Interplast volunteer, is shown here teaching Tsien/Melanie (her real name is Tsien, but she wants us to call her Melanie). She is a post-doctoral student studying to be a maxillofacial surgeon. She is really nice, and is always in the operating room peering over the shoulder of the surgeons and asking questions. Even on a break from surgery she is picking Rich's brain.
This is what Interplast is all about. Rich is a great surgeon, but he is the first to tell you that the most effective way to achieve lasting change is by training other doctors in advanced techniques. He really enjoys teaching Melanie and the other local doctors, and recognizes that empowering local physicians is of the highest priority.
For more videos, stories, and information about how Interplast is changing the lives of children, doctors and volunteers in Chongqing, China, please visit the Chongqing, China surgical volunteer team blog.