Dr. George Takes Advanced Laparoscopy
 to the Eastern Caribbean

On August 1-8, 2008, John P.A. George M.D. former bank teller and assistant manager at the Royal Bank of Canada in Grenada now Director of Gynecologic Endoscopy at the Washington Hospital Center will lead a team to teach gynecologists while treating patients with gynecologic problems in St. Lucia. 

The idea of doing such a project evolved a few years ago when he proposed a similar mission for his homeland, Grenada. For reasons that are unclear, the offer was not pursued by the host country. Dr. George who is a graduate of the Grenada Boys Secondary School and the Howard University College of Medicine is a pioneer in laparoscopy in the Washington area and has been performing these techniques since 1988. Close to 95% of his gynecologic operations are performed in this manner. He lectures locally regionally and internationally on the topic and treats patients from North America, the Caribbean and as far as Africa. His work was recently cited in a Washington Post article.

In January, 2008 while participating in the Howard University Hospital Medical Association Annual Scientific Symposium in St. Kitts, his colleague Dr. Hector Collison suggested that he contact Dr. Trona Bennett in St. Lucia for the purpose of helping to develop a Laparoscopy program. Dr. Collison had assisted in promoting cardiology services on the Island and was aware of some of their other medical needs. As if guided by a mystical force, Dr. Collison persisted in having Dr. George contact Dr. Bennett. Soon thereafter Dr. Collison and his son were tragically killed when his private aircraft crashed in Virginia. Dr. George has undertaken the project in memory of his friend and colleague Dr. Collison.

Photo:  The occasion at lunch in St. Kitts when Dr. Collison (left) and Dr. George (right), introduced the idea of Dr. George contacting Dr. Bennett.

The Project:

Dr. George hopes that by training gynecologists and other surgeons in advanced laparoscopy the modality will be made available to patients in St. Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean.  

The Team:

Dr. George, the surgeon, will be accompanied by a team of three individuals who regularly assist him with laparoscopic surgery. They are Ms. Barbara Jackson, nurse, Mr. Tyronne Crawford, certified operating room surgical technician and Mr. David Vandygriff, a biomedical engineer with the Stryker Corporation. They will participate in lectures, surgery and workshops to introduce and assist the St. Lucia surgeons in adopting the techniques that are hoped to ultimately benefit physicians and patients from the region.

Photo:  Three members of the team (left to right), Tyronne, Barbara and Dr. George at the Washington Hospital Center (David Vandygriff's picture is not available).

In order to achieve the project goals, Dr. George has assembled and shipped an extensive array of laparoscopic equipment, instruments and supplies that will aid in managing  gynecologic problems such as fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and various gynecologic ailments formerly treated by a large abdominal incision and a lengthy hospitalization and recovery at home. In many cases, patients having laparoscopy for procedures like hysterectomy can return home the same day with small incisions covered by band-aids. They may then return to normal activity in two weeks.

Project Support:

The project is supported by The Washington Hospital Center, the largest hospital in Washington, DC, and the Pan American Health and Education Foundation. Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc, Ethicon Inc. and the Stryker Corporation have provided material support without which the project would not be possible. Dr. George would also like to acknowledge the support of Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus of the Pan American Health Organization, (PAHO). The team is donating their time and services towards the project. 

Participants and Patients:

Dr. Trona Bennett well known St. Lucia gynecologist has invited gynecologists and other interested surgeons to participate in the project that will run for one week. She will also select the patients for care. 

“I foresee the day” Dr. George says, “when patients will travel to St. Lucia from the Eastern Caribbean and even as far away as North America to receive quality, cost-effective laparoscopic surgical care."  The first such patient may well be traveling from Grenada! It will be necessary, however to revisit the Island to provide ongoing stimulation and support for a modality that can perish if not nurtured.

Article published on Grenada Broadcast - July 27, 2008.

To August 10, 2008 Updates:
St. Lucia Agenda
St. Lucia more photos Phase I
St. Lucia Laparoscopic Surgery Video
 

Return to Top of Page