Quang Ngai, Vietnam-Nicole Friedland, Interplast staff. Photo by John Urban.
Lien is one of our translators / coordinators. In addition, she is a nurse educator, so she is uniquely skilled at working with the patients. The other translator is Kim, whose had an extensive career working with cardiologists. I'm pretty sure the translators have the hardest job on the trip. They are pulled in every direction and have to function in two cultures and languages. They not only take care of the patients and translate important information about procedures and care, but they coordinate and care for all of the logistics relating to team members. From getting food brought in for lunch breaks to prepping patients for surgery, making rounds with the doctors, reassuring anxious parents and discharging patients with proper instruction and medicines, Kim and Lien have worked non-stop and been true heroes.
Here you see Lien in the post-op ward discussing care with Quyen, who had her wrist contracture released.
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