Over the past 7 years, the UBC Division of Plastic Surgery has established a strong relationship with Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. This November, Dr. Macadam traveled to Uganda for her first surgical mission in Kampala, with plastic surgeon colleagues Dr. Kevin Bush, Dr. Neil Wells, and Dr. Esta Bovill.
One of the UBC surgical team’s goals was to introduce breast reconstruction techniques to Ugandan surgeons. In addition to performing and teaching a variety of surgical techniques, Dr. Macadam and her colleagues gave Grand Rounds (medical lectures) on the topic of breast reconstruction. Excitingly, Dr. Macadam and the breast surgical team performed the first immediate autologous breast reconstruction in Kampala (breast reconstruction using a patient’s own body tissues)!
Dr. Macadam plans to continue her relationship with the Kampala hospital and Ugandan surgeons by returning to continue to help share knowledge and surgical techniques with the talented and welcoming surgeons there.
Amidst all of the teaching and operating, Dr. Macadam was thrilled to still have the opportunity to spend one night at the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees, on Ngamba Island. At this relaxing ‘retreat’ day, Dr. Macadam signed on to become the official guardian for a baby chimpanzee! (See the photo below). This fun, enriching experience with these incredible animals was a great balance to the busier days of teaching and operating.
For a snapshot of Dr. Macadam’s experience in Uganda, check out the photos below!
Dr. Macadam and Dr. Bovill performing the autologous breast reconstruction
The whole team (from left): Dr. Kevin Bush, Dr. Morgan Evans, Dr. Esta Bovill, Trip Coordinator Bababunmi Adekunle Fashola (Fash), Dr. Sheina Macadam, Dr. Neil Wells
The Operating Room at Kampala Hospital
Ugandan Plastic Surgeon and General Surgeon
Dr. Macadam and her sponsored chimpanzee!
At the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary