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Plovdiv, Bulgaria was the site of a SEE mission. The local medical school in Plovdiv had invited the SEE team and the faculty of 20 ophthalmology professors and residents warmly welcomes Dr. Harry Easom and Dr. John Haines. Accompanying the team were Nancy Brenaman, C.O.T., Jody Arcularius, O.R.T., Paul Haines, son of Dr. Haines.
The medical school had pre-screened and selected 52 patients that were a particular challenge. Never had we encountered such overwhelming enthusiasm for the transfer of skills than from this medical group. As Dr. Haines and Easom performed all cases, there were at least a dozen personnel draped over us watching every move and questioning the visiting doctors. Never had the Bulgarians seen a postoperative cataract patient on day one read the 20/20 line, but with new phacoemulsification techniques available in the United States, this has become quite routine.
There was much enthusiasm to embrace this new technology and the SEE team donated a phacoemulsification unit and several instruments to facilitate their transition into this new technology.
Additionally, there were a dozen children with strabismus that had eye straightening procedures, greatly improving their vision and self esteem.
Dr. Haines and Easom both gave a series of three lectures to the combined faculties of the Plovdiv Medical School and a medical school from 100 miles away that had traveled the distance to share in this experience.
The hospitality of the Bulgarians was unparalleled as the nursing staff provided meals during the noon hour and the entire faculty accompanied us for dinner each evening. One night, they invited us to see an opera performed in the unique and stunning setting of an ancient Roman ruin.
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