At our December 4, 2023 Rotary Club of La Conner, our guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Steve Miller, from the Fidalgo Rotary Club/
President Connie thanked our very successful Santa Breakfast leaders Patsy Good and Lori Buher. Lori thanked everyone for their help and shared that she and Patsy made a list of what worked well and a few changes for next year. Thank you everyone!
John Milnor announced we were doing very well in our collection for SPARC gifts to deliver on Dec 12th.
Our guest speaker Dr Steve Miller is an active member of the Anacortes Fidalgo Island Rotary Club and a founding member of the Podiatry Institute. Its mission is to be a supportive global network of members, colleagues, and friends that enhance the quality of life of patients with foot, ankle, and leg disorders through innovative education, research, and service. The Podiatry Institute is a non-profit educational foundation that offers a variety of programs including conferences, workshops, and postgraduate courses. The institute has achieved national and international recognition for its leading role in developing and advancing podiatric medicine and surgery. The faculty members are all volunteers who serve without compensation. They are committed to ongoing education in the area of foot and ankle surgery. Together they bring podiatric surgical care to needy children in the underdeveloped parts of the world.
Dr Steve shared with the club his story of Medial Missions that have made a difference by changing the world one child at a time through “Healing the Children Oregon and Western Washington. He shared his experience in 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 at Foundation Pediatriia Guatemaltea near Guatemala City. In addition, Venezuela- Barinas 2000, Vietnam- My Tho 2005 and Hanoi 2007, Nepal 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, Nepal 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Ecuador Riobamba 2010, Indonesia- Ungaran 2011, El Salvador – San Salvador 2012, Guatemala-San Lucas Toliman 2011, Honduras-Comayagua 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
He recalled one of his favorite RN’s Bojan Kuure 1942-2017 who quoted “All I can wish for is for you to try and do something that makes you happy, leaves a legacy, and makes yourself UNFORGETABLE”. He shared a picture of San Lucas Toliman Guatamala 2019/2020 where Karen Ryan was able to join. I believe Danielle was also on that trip. He introduced Dr Will and Diane Boegel from Virginia Mason Department of Orthopedics in Seattle, who had a calling to move to their new home and location in Guatemala to continue the work.
Dr Steve shared the Opal House that was funded by the Fidalgo Rotary Club in San Lucas Toliman Guatemala 2012-2023 as well as the expansion of Hospital Obras Sociales de Monsignor Gregorio Schaffer expansion serving a city of 35,000 people.
The backbone of the organization is led by Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, IT Specialists, Logistics, Construction, Fund Raising and Translators. Steve shared the story of Ester, all healed from her surgeries and time for new shoes. Ester was born with her feet pointing backwards and was so happy when she could wear shoes.
Dr. Steve also introduced Dr. Libby Weber and Trauma Surgeon specializing in treading cerebral palsy patients who were able to correct both legs of a patient that were backwards. The team treats Pediatric Clubfoot, Neglected Clubfoot, extra toes/fingers, post-polio problems, fractures, fracture complications, cerebral palsy complications, and other foot, ankle and leg problems.
So many were touched by the team's great work that they wanted to donate. Here is the address and instructions to send donations --
Checks can be mailed to our PO Box - P.O. Box 125, Anacortes WA 98221. Please make sure they are noted to be for Miller Medical Missions so we know to earmark the funds.
Thank you Steve for the very inspirational stories and rich discussion!
