Background
For more than 40 years, Shriners Children's physicians and clinical professionals have been traveling to Cyprus, an island country located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, to conduct an annual outreach clinic for the local and neighboring children there. During their visits, the team examines and provides medical care to both new and returning patients, offering specialized services and high-level care to children with orthopedic conditions and diseases of the limbs and spine.
This year marked the first time since the global pandemic began that Shriners Children’s staff were able to return to Cyprus. Thanks to the Shriners Children’s team, and staff and volunteers from the George and Thelma Paraskevaides Foundation, the 2023 clinic held at Nicosia General Hospital helped more than 145 patients receive care. In addition to Cyprus, patients from various countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Greece and Turkey, attended the clinic.
Helping Thousands of Children
Over the years, more than 16,000 Cypriot children have received care at the outreach clinics, and more than 4,000 have traveled to the United States for further examinations, surgeries and hospitalization.
Staff from several Shriners Children’s locations attended this year’s clinic. They include Brock McConkey, CPO, manager of pediatric orthotics and prosthetics, Shriners Children's New England; David Westberry, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, Shriners Children's Greenville; Amer Samdani, M.D., chief of surgery, Shriners Children’s Philadelphia; Jen Sanceciz, RN, outpatient nurse manager, Solomon Praveen Samuel, director of research and Henrike “Kiki” Schmalfuss, research coordinator, Shriners Children's Philadelphia; and Flor Russello, ARNP, and Laura Kozloski, executive director of international strategy, Shriners Children's.
Adding to the positive impact of the clinic this year was the long-standing collaboration between Shriners Children’s and the George and Thelmas Paraskevaidis Foundation, as well as the assistance of the Cyprus-based Alasia Shrine Club (part of the Shriners International fraternity). The foundation provided an excellent facility and support staff, and because of their positive, long-standing reputation, a greater comfort level for patients and families.
Marios was among the many eager parents seeking medical care for their children. Marios’ daughter, Aleaxandra, was seen by Dr. Samdani for a spine appointment. Making the appointment more special was the fact that Marios had been a patient of the outreach clinic in the 1980s. His treatment at the outreach clinic made a significant impact on his life. He felt it was the most compassionate, innovative care he had ever received, and was confident that his daughter would receive the same excellent care during her visit.