General Surgery Team- August 24, 2025

Since my last visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, there continues to be amazing development. The skyline is changing drastically and I still feel mixed, but change is good as we move towards the future. However, the traffic is becoming more of a problem, as the roads have not expanded since I have been going. The new international airport will be opening later this month. It is always wonderful reconnecting with the people who I have come to call “family” on the other side of the world. Wow has time passed, as I first started going on mission to Cambodia in 2012!

As always, the local team was very supportive and extremely accommodating the visiting team. They are always available to translate and made sure we had the correct instruments and supplies needed. They are very astute, experienced and extremely competent. There was a new Family medicine physician who was very helpful and glad she is part of the team.

Our team consisted of Dr Ashlee Griffin, a trauma/critical general surgeon, who has been on other missions to Africa. One PGY-5 chief surgical resident, Megan Tierney, who will be going into private practice when she finishes next year. One PGY-4 Omar Hassanain, who will be perusing a vascular fellowship. Ava Katubig, who has been on 2 other teams over the last 2 years, who is pursuing PA school. Lastly, I, who has been every year since 2012, expect when the world was closed for COVID.

Thanks to the efficiency of the Cambodian team, under Dr Sochan’s guidance, many of the patients were prescreened. There were approx. 21 patients on the list for the general surgery team. 16 cases were scheduled, 5 no shows and, 3 more patients showed up during the week. Thanks to GOD, everyone had a good outcome, and one patient will need to come back next year for completion thyroidectomy as she had lots of bleeding from her Grave’s disease. We did 11 thyroids, 2 gall bladders, one was converted to open due to the insufflation equipment was not working, one breast biopsy, 3 inguinal hernias.

The team party was held on Thursday as some members of our team had to leave Friday night. As always it was a great success and nice to interact with everyone in a non-formal setting. Look forward to next year, and then hopefully, the following year will be in the new hospital.

Lastly, the nurses asked if we would consider assisting them with their fall conference with a small donation, which Dr Griffin and myself was happy to support.

In closing, thanks be given to GOD for keeping all of us safe on our travels, and we were able to give back with good outcomes in Phnom Penh.