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"Good work, good will" - Al Ruenes
In 2010, artist Robert Beck and renowned multimedia journalist Bob Krist – both from New Hope – traveled with Doylestown Surgeon Dr. Albert Ruenes to Senegal. Beck did a 12-painting series of everyday life in Senegal. Krist produced a video of the work being done by Ruenes and ASSISTS, teaching West African surgeons in prostate surgery and fistula repair.
A fundraising event was held at New Hope Arts, in New Hope, PA, on May 26, 2011, to raise money to support ASSISTS’ efforts. The event showcased the work of Beck and Krist in support of ASSISTS’ mission. The extraordinary images created by Beck were on exhibit, with all proceeds from sales donated to ASSISTS. Krist's outstanding video of the 2010 trip was premiered, which highlighted ASSISTS' mission and brought the scope of this amazing project to life.
A fundraising event was held at New Hope Arts, in New Hope, PA, on May 26, 2011, to raise money to support ASSISTS’ efforts. The event showcased the work of Beck and Krist in support of ASSISTS’ mission. The extraordinary images created by Beck were on exhibit, with all proceeds from sales donated to ASSISTS. Krist's outstanding video of the 2010 trip was premiered, which highlighted ASSISTS' mission and brought the scope of this amazing project to life.
Between January 2013 and August 2015 members of ASSISTS, physicians from the University of Minnesota and a team of technicians from Red Llama traveled to Arusha, Tanzania, the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Dakar, Senegal to film experts in the management of obstetrical fistula performing surgery. The edited video content was incorporated into a platform that helped create a training module which has been distributed free of charge to surgeons around the world in an effort to improve patient outcomes and increase patient accessibility to care.
In April, 2023 the Doylestown Urologic Forum was held in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Urologists from Dakar, Senegal joined urologists from Doylestown Hospital in the operating room to observe a large variety of surgeries, many performed robotically. Also in attendance were administrators and project managers from the family health clinic, Centre de Sante Aristide Mensah, which ASSISTS helped open its doors to the community of Yeumbeul, a suburb of Dakar, in February 2017. With ongoing support from ASSISTS the clinic provides an ever expanding variety of basic healthcare services to the underserved community of over 400,000 people, including a pharmacy, laboratory, ultrasound services and specialized care in dentistry, geriatrics, pediatrics, and maternity. All patients pay according to their financial ability with the most poor receiving care free of charge. A highlight of the event was a fundraising dinner held at the Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie, Pennsylvania on April 25, 2023.