until next year….

A few weeks ago, our team of 8 transitioned to life in Moldova… and now we have transitioned back to life at home here in Washington where we will reassess our values, belongings, goals…  When we arrived in Moldvoa, it may have seemed sparse, antiquated, and in disrepair in many ways.  Then hospitality and familiarity took over.  We were embraced by our in-country coordinator, Rodica, as well as by the professional staff, patients and familes at the facilities where we worked. 

I have had the fortune of experiencing change in Moldova since 2003.  The rusted construction cranes are gone and new buildings stand in their places.  In the summer of 2007, the Minister of Health approved the provision of rehabilitation services in the acute care setting, making early rehabilitation following new onset of stroke and other diseases and injuries a possibility.  I worked in the newly constructed Rehabilitation Center for Children this September where professionals from multiple facilities gathered to attend seminars and training sessions offered by our team. 

What does the future hold for Moldova?  None of us can be certain what the future holds.  I believe an important thing for the future of rehabilitation medicine in Moldova is the unity that I observed among the professionals this year.  In the past, we have worked with the staff from individual facilities.  This year, professionals from a number of facilities shared our proposed teaching topics in advance of our arrival and identified a facility that could host a large audience.  As a result, we presented seminars to audiences of up to 55 professionals of different disciplines from a variety of clinical settings.  This unity will allow them to work together to implement information and techniques that were presented.  More importantly, I believe this unity will carry over into efforts to change the rules governing the education programs and services provided in rehabilitation medicine in Moldova.  Similar to our State Practice Act, changes in Moldova must be approved by the Minister of Health.

What does the future hold for our Rehabilitation Development Team?  We hope that we can continue to facilitate and support the changes needed in Moldova in order to enhance the quality of rehabilitation services.  Barb Ingram and I plan to lead another team to Moldova next September.  We also hope to facilitate additional teams to meet focused needs: pediatric (rehab and medical), stroke, and orthopedic.  If you are interested to participate as a team member, or supporting the efforts of travelling team members, please feel free to contact me (cyndirob@u.washington.edu) or Barb Ingram (uneedam@aol.com).  We would be happy to share our knowledge, enthusiasm, and fondness for Moldova.

Sincerely,
Cyndi Robinson, PT