ThaiChicagolandtemp.com: Chicago doctor in Thailand medical mission

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Chicago doctor in Thailand medical mission

Chicago doctor

participates in

Thailand medical mission trip

In winter 2008, Dr. Pete Setabutr (on left) joined the Thai Physicians Association of America’s (TPAA) medical mission to Surin, Thailand to perform eyelid surgeries at Surin Hospital. Roughly 50 U.S. doctors traveled to Surin during the last week of January, the 26th to 30th, to help underprivileged patients of all ages at the hospital in Surin province.

“I am of Thai descent so it was important to me to do some work in Thailand. I’ve been there many times before,” says Dr. Setabutr, Assistant Professor of Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Chicago.

Dr. Setabutr’s days generally began at 8 am in the operating room, performing eyelid surgeries until 1 pm to 4 pm. Some days he would also assist with cleft lip and palate surgeries. He was able to meet with his patients before the surgeries occurred. All of the medical equipment and services were donated from different organizations for underprivileged patients.

“My first mission trip made me more appreciative of the luxuries we have in the medical community here and gave me the skills to work in a new environment,” says Dr. Setabutr (2nd on left).

Dr. Setabutr practices oculofacial plastic surgery at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois Medical Center. Learn more about his practice at: www.uic.edu/com/eye/Department/FullTimeFaculty/Pete_Setabutr.shtml.

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Sunday, September 27