Michele McCullough, left, ties Andrea Pusic’s surgical gown
In November, Michele McCullough, MSN, RN, AMB-BC, CPSN, Julie Weinberg, PA-C, Andrea Pusic, MD, and Kavitha Ranganathan, MD, of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, participated in a volunteer mission to provide reconstructive surgery to patients in Tanzania, East Africa — an experience that McCullough calls “beyond rewarding.”
“Going on this type of trip is another reminder of why we do what we do,” said McCullough, who has worked as a BWH nurse for 24 years, including the last 12 in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “I went to nursing school to help others, and this trip gave me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to women and children in Tanzania who don’t have the same access to health care as we do in the U.S.”
The mission was organized by Reconstructing Women International (RWI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the form and function of injured women and girls.
“We primarily treat women and girls who come from underserved areas with limited access to care,” said Weinberg, who has participated in three missions with RWI. “Most patients have debilitating injuries that were either caused by burns or domestic abuse. Burns are unfortunately very common, particularly in Eastern Africa.”
In addition to the BWH group, the team included approximately ten female providers — surgeons, physician assistants and nurses — from around the world.
This was McCullough’s first volunteer medical mission.
Julie Weinberg and Michele McCullough
“I was so excited to be invited to join this year,” she said. “Ever since I was in nursing school, I always wanted to do a medical mission to help people who don’t have the type of health care that we have and to try to make an impact through sharing our experiences.”
Weinberg said she looks forward to the trip each year. “Being able to restore the physical function in these patients is remarkable,” she said. “Whether allowing patients to open up their fingers or lift their arms again, restoring their function helps our patients regain their confidence and place in society. Being part of that is so special.”
Since the establishment of RWI, over 4,200 women and girls have received life-changing surgery in regions across the globe. During the November 2023 trip, the team operated on 25 patients, many of whom had severe injuries compromising physical function and appearance, including two situations of domestic violence and child abuse.
They recalled one patient whose burn injury resulted in having her elbow stuck to her side. After surgery, the patient was able to lift her arm again.
“We’ve seen videos of this patient lifting her arm and her mother’s face smiling with pure joy,” said McCullough. “It’s extraordinary to see the difference you can help to make.”
RWI is also committed to building reconstructive surgery expertise through training local health care staff and working to prevent domestic violence and accidental burns.
“What really makes this organization unique is the teaching component,” said Weinberg. “There are very few plastic or reconstructive surgeons in Tanzania, and one of RWI’s central goals is to train local surgeons and residents in reconstructive surgery techniques so that they can provide this type of essential care in their communities.”
As part of the trip, McCullough gave a presentation to nurses on wound care, including various types of dressings.
“I love educating people, so It was wonderful to have the opportunity to help educate the nurses there,” she said.
Weinberg agreed. “We teach every day here at the Brigham, but there is something unique and special when we can have such a broad impact in another area of the world. It’s an honor.”
The RWI team