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Dr. Armando Sardi, Director, Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy, takes part each year in mission work to his native Cali, Colombia

Dr. Armando Sardi, Institute For Cancer Care At Mercy, Visits Native Colombia For Medical Outreach Mission

Each year, typically in February, internationally renowned surgical oncologist Dr. Armando Sardi, Director of the Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy Medical Center, returns to his native Cali, Colombia, on a mission—literally.

The Medical Mission to Colombia provides quality care to the poor, reaching thousands of patients on each trip. In addition, Dr. Sardi and the many other physicians, nurses and medical staff who participate take part in training programs for residents, physicians, nurses and therapists in Colombia.

"It's not enough to go for six days and do surgeries and that's it. The mission serves to develop long-term programs that continue throughout the year to bring needed medical supplies and equipment. We provide care to both military and civilians who have been injured by land mines. And we feed over 200 children who are doing better in school since they no longer have to try to learn while hungry," Dr. Sardi said.

Long term programs include physical and mental rehabilitation/prosthetics and a return to work/school for landmine victims and children; programs to address hypertension and breast disease, and a nutrition program for children.

In addition to Dr. Sardi, other Mercy staff have participated in the Colombia missions, including ophthalmologic surgeon Dr. Sheri Rowen, Director, Eye & Cosmetic Surgery Center at Mercy, urogynecologist Dr. Marcella Roenneburg, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kamala Littleton, vascular surgeon Dr. Paul Lucas, physical therapist Maureen McBeth, and nurses like Mercy's Anita Bustos, Sandy Duncavage, Jane MacDonald and Gisella Alvarez, who also does mission work in Peru.

"And there are many others. We have physicians from Maryland, Louisiana, California, New York, Maine, Michigan and Washington, D.C. participating, and everyone helps by bringing extra supplies and equipment to the hospitals in Cali where we see patients," Dr. Sardi said. These hospitals include the University Hospital of Valle Evaristo Garcia (HUV), Valle del Lili Foundation, Institute for the Deaf and the Blind, Isaias Duarte Cancino Hospital, and the Carlos Carmona Hospital.

Supporting foundations in recent years have included Manos Unidas por Colombia, The Healing Hands Foundation, and Hands Across the Americas. United for Colombia joins the mission efforts for 2010.

"Earlier this year, the Colombia Mission resulted in 603 surgeries, 7,773 patient visits, and over 600 diagnostic procedures," Dr. Sardi said.

"You go on a mission to touch lives, but you return with your own life touched. The people that touch your heart—they change us and make us better," he said.

For individuals and organizations interested in making a donation to the Colombia Medical Mission, please contact the Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy at 410-332-9294; checks can be made payable to the Mercy Medical Foundation, c/o Colombia Medical Mission and mailed to the Institute at Mercy Medical Center, attn: Armando Sardi, M.D., 227 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD, 21202. A letter confirming your donation will be sent to you by mail.