When Opportunity Knocks…

Greetings friends and colleagues!  Today’s post is coming from Cyndi Robinson, PT, MS, team leader.

This is my 8th trip to Moldova, my 4th in a leadership role.  I have had the opportunity to develop professional relationships and friendships here in Moldova.  I have learned about the health care system, the facilities, equipment and supplies available, and the knowledge and skills of the local professionals.  I have collaborated with our in-country hosts and the clinic directors while here in country and also by email and skype from half a world away.  I have been challenged to identify the best methods to bring change to those professionals who seek it but may be limited by government regulations and administrative directives and to help others to recognize the benefits of change to patient care outcomes.  Previous teams have been chipping away at a mountain, and this year we are experiencing a land slide!

As has been mentioned in previous posts, this is a time of change in Moldova.  There was a controversial government election in April that resulted in violence in the capitol city of Chisinau, our “headquarters”.  A new election in July resulted in the Communist Party losing the majority rule in the country.  As in a US election, this also means that many new government officials will be appointed.  Key to our work, we are hoping for the appointment of the new Minister of Health before the end of this week.  The individual who our local colleagues expect to be appointed is known to be a progressive thinker.  They are eagerly awaiting news… as they are hopeful for changes that will advance the quality of health care they can provide.  This is the opportunity I alluded to in today’s title.

Here are a few of the incredible highlights!

1. Meryl Gersh, PT, PhD facilitated the first treatment provided by a local PT in the intensive care unit setting.
2. Irina Lyamin, SPT and Janine Sing, SPT presented a seminar entitled “Timing and Intensity of Stroke Rehabilitation”.  The information they provided is expected to be instrumental in developing a plan for major changes to the model of rehabilitation in the country, including early intervention and more ongoing rehabilitation in the early weeks/months following stroke (and other illnesses and injuries).  The Minister of Health just modified practice regulations to allow rehabilitation in the acute care setting in late 2007!
3. Cyndi Robinson and Meryl Gersh will meet with the Vice Chancellor (president) of the Sport University in Chisinua, Moldova to discuss Physical Therapist education in the US and to discuss curricular development at the University.  I will also be exploring musculoskeletal teaching opportunities for 2010.
4. Margaret Miller, OTR/L and Beverly Kropp, LMT and special educator will be meeting with the Minister of Education, other high ranking officials from the Ministry and pediatric rehabilitation clinic directors to discuss inclusion of children with disabilities in the public schools.  This request is in response to a new government regulation.
5. Sherri Matson, PTA, has been working closely with the kinetotherapists on the pediatric burn unit to model changes to their clinical practice, particularly techniques for contracture prevention in the days and weeks immediately following burn injury.  Given the 2007 regulation allowing rehabilitation in the acute care setting, this is a new area of practice for our colleagues.

I have to admit that I have been in awe of my team members this year and also of the opportunities being made available to us and the accomplishments of the team.  I can’t believe what we have accomplished in one week… or what lies ahead this week… and for the future.  (Teams will be traveling to Moldova in July 2010 and September 2010).

Despite the hard work and late evenings of preparation, we have been doing our best to soak in the culture of Moldova.  Moldova’s primary industry is farming, of which wine is the main producer and export.  So, while you may have thought our winery tour and tasting was indulgent… it is a very important component of the Moldovan economy.  This past Saturday, we traveled about 100 kilometers from Chisinau to visit a monastery that is etched into the cliffs of a natural land formation.  As a bonus, we were treated to a motor cycle rally as a large group completed their monastery visit as we were arriving.  I particularly enjoyed the leather jackets representing multiple riding clubs from Moldova, Russia, Romania and the Ukraine!  I took photos so I will have time to sound out the words on their jackets written in the Cyrillic alphabet!

Moldovan Motorcyclists

Matryoshka doll and the countryside at the monastery

The rest of the team has headed off to bed.  I also better get my rest in preparation for another day.

La revedere, napta buna, buna seara, spa-koy-nay-no-chay… meaning good night!

Stay tuned for more exciting news!
Cyndi