Taking a step away from her daily service at Johnson Memorial Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital, general surgeon Olayemi Ajayi-Lamanna, M.D., recently embarked on a transformative mission to Nigeria, West Africa. Joined Deborah Ouellette, Dr. AJ’s medical assistant and the surgical scheduler (orthopedics & general surgery) at Johnson Memorial Hospital, and a team of physicians and missionaries local to Nigeria, Dr. Ajayi (also known as Dr. AJ), ventured into the heart of Nigeria's Ogun State to Sacred Heart Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they provided medical outreach and donations. With Trinity Health Of New England’s support, the team brought equipment and supplies which played a crucial role in addressing the health care needs of the local population.
The team’s mission work also extended well beyond the hospital walls into local clinics, where the team engaged in community outreach. This involved reaching out to areas where medical services were limited, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and access to health care. An integral part of the team’s journey also included volunteer work at local orphanages, where they provided not only medical care but also emotional support to the young souls who have faced adversity. By addressing the needs of vulnerable children, the team exemplified the spirit of global citizenship, recognizing that the well-being of future generations is interconnected with the actions taken in the present.
“Rewarding cannot even begin to describe what a trip like this meant to us but to all. This work represents our commitment to stand with and serve the most vulnerable members of all communities. Through compassion and outreach we feel so proud to have represented Trinity Health Of New England and our Mission and Core Values in a truly global way,” Dr. AJ said reflecting on the providers and patients' lives they touched.
Submitted by Olayemi Ajayi-Lamanna, M.D., surgeon, Johnson Memorial Hospital and Mercy Medical Center
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