Dr. Christopher Tolan, facial plastic surgeon, is a contributing supporter and health care provider for congenital cleft lip, palate and nasal deformities. He recently participated in a mission trip to Kiafeng, China with the organization Love Without Boundaries (LWB). Dr. Tolan has been a member of the LWB Team for many years and enjoys being a part of this organization dedicated to helping those with cleft issues. This Spring 2014, Dr. Tolan was one of a team of medical doctors who took the trip to Kiafeng, China. Drs. Tolan and Ness provided cleft surgery care; Drs. Kathy Clinch and Neil Derschin provided pediatric anesthesia services. Along with several other nurses and support staff, the group traveled to Kiafeng Children’s Hospital in the Henan province of China to exchange knowledge and perform cleft surgeries on children from Chinese healing homes and orphanages. During this medical mission trip, the doctors shared their knowledge of the latest developments and advances in the treatment of cleft deformity, while the Chinese medical staff shared their expertise. Through intercontinental collaboration, the Chinese medical staff gained invaluable knowledge of medical techniques, the American team gained greater knowledge of their specialty, and dozens of children received lifesaving cleft surgery in the best conditions.
During this mission trip, Dr. Tolan was joined by a group of volunteers who assisted him from support in the operating room, to holding babies and logging in children as they arrived for their evaluations and surgeries. This is a phenomenally large operation that requires lots of hard work, patience, and dedication throughout the year. Knowing that many children will be given new smiles, however, is rewarding for all involved in the process. Dr. Tolan is proud to be a part of this journey—sharing knowledge with others and creating beautiful new smiles.
The LWB organization was founded in 2003 after a group of adoptive parents came together to help save the life of one tiny boy in China. Following his successful heart surgery, they realized that people with a pure love for helping children can truly make a difference. LWB has watched the foundation grow from providing a handful of surgeries and baby formula in 2003 to touching the lives of thousands of children today. The mission of this organization is to transform the lives of orphaned and impoverished children by providing hope and healing.
It is LWB’s vision to provide the most loving and compassionate help possible to orphaned and impoverished children in China, and to show the world that every child, regardless of his or her needs, deserves to experience love and be treated with dignity and care.
The dedicated and talented LWB team all share a love for the children in China and work together to bring the gifts of hope and healing to the lives of orphaned and impoverished children. Please learn more about LWB by visiting their website at http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com
