Belize

In March 2004, I spent a week at Presbyterian Medical Clinic in Patchakan, Belize. As a radiologists, I looked forward to doing some primary care, but also wanted to utilize an ultrasound machine that had recently been donated to the clinic. Over the week, the use of the machine increased as word got out that someone was availale who could do and interpret ultrasound. We diagnosed acute cholecystitis in a man with acute abdominal pain and pictures of his sick gallbladder were transported over 50 miles to a hospital where the next day he had surgery! The Beleize trip not only showed me the potential of ultrasound for the primary care provider in that setting, but that Christian radiologists can participate in medical missions. My payer is that UNITS USA will help this happen

- John Udall, MD