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<\/a>An important development since the first BBH event is that the Ethiopian Ministry of Health has recognized the importance of the spine program.<\/p>\n
Boachie and Hodes have been working together for almost 20 years, having met in 2005.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn spring of 2006, we sent five patients and one staff person to Accra, Ghana. At the same time, Dr. Boachie and his team arrived from New York, and they operated on our patients and many others,\u201d said Hodes. \u201cThe Ethiopian government was not making spine a priority, but now that we are seeing patients full-time and have evaluated well over 5,000 patients with spine deformities, they realize that this is a major cause of disability. They now are in favour of a national spine centre and are working with us to get this done. Their endorsement has shown us, and our donors, that we have \u2018buy-in\u2019 from the Ethiopian government.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the majority of surgeries took place in Ethiopia this year, Hodes said, \u201cWe also send patients to FOCOS Hospital in Ghana and Ganga Hospital in India for traction and for surgery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are sending Ethiopian surgeons to India for training, as well. Over the years, the majority of our difficult surgeries have been performed in Ghana, often preceded by months of ambulatory traction. Having our own centre will allow us to provide better care and to be in control of the process and the facility.\u201d<\/p>\n Currently, they operate in a government hospital as well as in a private Christian hospital, said Hodes, \u201cbut we believe that a full-time, 100%-spine centre would provide better care to Ethiopians suffering from spine issues.<\/p>\n \u201cI am the main doctor in the clinic, but, in the end, this must be a program run by Ethiopians for Ethiopians,\u201d he stressed. \u201cA national spine centre will allow this to happen. This means having a dedicated facility, as well as fully trained Ethiopian physicians, nurses, physical therapists and others to be able to evaluate, treat, operate on and rehabilitate our patients. It is a great opportunity to provide great care to our patients, and I would love to find an Ethiopian doctor to direct it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hodes was in Vancouver more than once this summer, talking about his hopes for the spine program.<\/p>\n \u201cI was here,\u201d he said, \u201cmeeting people, speaking about my work and trying to interest people in our activities in Ethiopia, which involve identifying patients, evaluating and treating them, choosing people for surgery, coordinating care and arranging surgeries \u2013 and following them afterwards for years,\u201d as care needs don\u2019t end after the surgery is complete.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Dr. Rick Hodes\/JDC spine program \u2013 over the last 20 years, part of JDC\u2019s tikkun olam non-sectarian work \u2013 has not only saved and transformed countless lives, but has also served as an inspiring example and message to both the Jewish and non-Jewish world,\u201d said Segal, who has been on the JDC board since 2012.<\/p>\n Hodes has been recognized for his work in various ways. Most recently, he was given the 2024 Walter P. Blount Award by the Scoliosis Research Society, whose membership \u201cincludes over 1,000 of the world\u2019s leading spine surgeons, researchers, physician assistants and orthotists who are involved in research and treatment of spinal deformities.\u201d The award honours \u201can individual who has provided outstanding service for those with spinal deformities, through their generous actions out of a sense of service to larger social and professional goals.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Segal and others have called Hodes \u201ctireless\u201d in his humanitarian work.<\/p>\n \u201cI am surrounded by suffering, and it is my challenge to deal with this daily, to provide compassionate care and to raise funds for all of this,\u201d Hodes told the Independent<\/i>. \u201cI realize that I can only help a small percent of the people who seek my care, and have to deal with that. I am motivated by my goal of helping people for whom there is no other alternative. It\u2019s not easy. I lose sleep over this. It is never-ending.\u201d<\/p>\n Hodes will return to Vancouver for BBB III. Also attending, said Segal, will be \u201cTesfaye, with his wife and son (whom I can\u2019t wait to meet for the first time); two other patients whose lives were transformed through the Dr. Rick Hodes\/JDC spine program; some JDC professionals from the USA, Israel and Ethiopia; and a senior Ministry of Health individual.\u00a0There is also a special entertainment surprise with its own unique story and link to the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n