I have published several Images of Surgery in Colombia to the web to give outsiders a glimpse into the operating rooms here in Bogota. But since Yahoo! has overhauled their site – I will publish images here for readers, including photos from some of my other travels (Mexico, Medellin).
However, please do not use/ copy/ alter these images without my express written permission. (All photos by K. Eckland)
Dr. Rafael Beltran, Thoracic Surgeon
Spent the morning at the National Cancer Institute, which really is a pretty amazing place, with a pretty amazing guy – Dr. Rafael Beltran. He’s one of the many incredible people I’ve met here – that truly make the world a better place through their work. I could have spent all day with him, seeing patients, surgery, discussing his cases and research – (Heck – I’d love to work with him!) but unfortunately, I had to race across town after several hours for another interview..
Dr. Beltran (tall gentleman on the left) and his surgical team
I really like this picture here, I think it highlights one of the important aspects of surgery – the surgical team.. As you can see above, Dr. Beltran (left) certainly doesn’t work in isolation – and that’s his philosophy about cancer care – the surgeons from different specialties work together closely, along with oncologists, radiologists, hematologists, therapists and other specialties to give well-coordinated, and well-rounded care. While I was the operating room, I stood next to a shy young woman.. After I badgered her for a little bit – she told me her story. She’s a respiratory therapist – and she was watching the surgery, so she would better understand how to take care of her lung surgery patients – and to understand exactly what they had been through. Not often do surgeons find room in their ORs for respiratory therapists – but Dr. Beltran understands that by having this young woman here observing – she learned more today than she could ever glean from books.. By doing so – he’s integrated her into the surgical team, and that’s important when often today’s medicine is an exercise in fractured and fragmented care.
In the operating rooms all around us – the same thing was occurring, with orthopedics, plastic surgery, neurosurgery.. As you can tell – on all my visits to the National Cancer Center, I’ve been very impressed with the physician commitment and the level of care.
As I raced off – I received a text that the doctor I was next scheduled to meet had to go to another hospital – he offered to meet me there, but he had an emergency, so I thought it best to reschedule for when he had more time. I’m really looking forward to talking to him – so I didn’t want him to be too distracted.. I get the best interviews when we can just sit down and talk..
Then – a thoracic surgeon we’ve talked about before – texted me that he had 2 interesting cases – did I want to go? So I spent he remainder of the afternoon talking with Dr. Juan Carlos Garzon, thoracic surgeon. I’m glad I did – because I had lots of questions from our previous interviews, and between cases, he spent the time to answer my lingering questions; about his practice, about thoracic surgery in general, and about Colombian medicine so it was definitely a worthwhile trip..
Dr. Juan Carlos Garzon, Thoracic Surgeon..
Spent a fascinating morning over at the National Cancer Insitute with Dr. Rafael Beltran, the Chief of Thoracic Surgery. Since the cancer institute is the biggest hospital specializing in cancer treatment – Dr. Beltran sees most of the rare and unusual cancers affecting the chest. He also have a keen interest in tracheal surgery, and has published (in collaboration with Dr. Barrios) several articles on the topic recently. (Guess we’ll have to tap into his expertise for a guest publication over at CirugiadeTorax.org)
Hoping to follow him to the OR next week.
Then I spent the afternoon over at Hospital de Kennedy with Dr. Nelson Renteria.
Dr. Nelson Renteria, Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon
Today he performed a VATs decortication for a stage III empyema (which is one of my favorite cases – but that’s another discussion entirely.) Going back tomorrow to see some of his vascular cases.
Dr. Renteria in the operating room
National Cancer Institute –
Dont judge a hospital by the exterior sign..
The view from the fifth floor is less than inspiring – with the Bogota prison from one angle and the now decrepid Hospital San Juan de Dios from another..
The view from the operating room window, the now defunct Hospital San Juan de Dios
But the view from within the operating room is impressive! Large operating rooms, in an all new facility, with brand new equipment.. This is a first class surgery facility..
– and the surgery itself was wonderful. I can’t divulge too many specifics other than it was a huge surgical resection that was the last chance for a heart-breaking patient..
But the case went beautifully.
After spending all morning and part of the afternoon with Dr. Buitrago and his team – I went over to Hospital Santa Clara to interview a nice young thoracic surgeon, Dr. Jaime Andres Franco. Dr. Franco is actually dually trained as both an Critical Care Medicine specialist and a thoracic surgeon – which is ideal because it means he is even more capable of handling any sort of crisis that may affect his surgical patients.
I’m hoping to follow him to the operating room soon, so I can give you even more details..
Colombian Culture & Cuisine 