Nineteen is the magic number for Team Tanzania this year.  Ten physicians, six nurses, an orthopedic technician, a microbiologist and a project administrator will make the 30 hour trek to Northern Tanzania on March 5.  While there, the team will perform orthopedic and plastic surgeries at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Mount Meru Regional Medical Centre as well as provide ongoing medical and surgical healthcare for many patients at Upone Charitable Centre, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Meru and a local orphanage.  In addition, The Phil Simon Clinic Tanzania Project’s(PSCTP) ongoing support of the Home Based Care program will continue with daily walk/work rounds in local Arusha neighborhoods.  Education will play a central role once again with this year’s visit to Tanzania.  Surgical, medical and nursing lectures as well as technical and infrastructure support will be provided by both African and American Team Tanzania members. Medical and, new for this year, surgical housestaff will participate in this year’s trip, learning much about healthcare in East Africa.  The annual PSCTP healthcare symposium will be sponsored at Moivaro Conference Center at the end of the week.  Several medical and surgical lectures will be provided as well as a  forum for lively discussion about healthcare issues in Arusha.  The PSCTP team will also be providing medical infrastructure including a new Olympus endoscope shipped to the College of Medicine at The International Medical and Technological University (IMTU) in Dar Es Salaam.  The endoscope will be followed by PSCTP’s resident gastroenterologist, Dr. David Schulman who has graciously donated his skills for endoscopic tutorials.  In addition to Dr. Schulman, the medical team will be comprised of Dr. Abbie Lee, Dr. Jessica Mantilla, Dr. Kimberly Shriner, surgeons include Dr. James Blitz, Dr. Chris Tiner, Dr. George Tang, Dr. Rick Bushnell, Dr. Harry Bowles with support from orthopedic tech, Ben Martinez.  Exemplary nursing will be provided by Tom Warren, Susie Lompe, Vicki Landini, Amy Denton, Tina Gozalians and Mary Mendelsohn.  Microbiologist, Cheryl Arteaga will be lending her laboratory expertise and the whole team is coordinated and managed by the incomparable Linda Jackson.  Dr. Solomon Ole Logilunore, Dr. Ezekiel Moirana and all the wonderful healthcare personnel of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Upone Charitable Medical Centre and Mount Meru Regional Medical Center form the core of Team Tanzania Arusha.  You may follow the daily activities of PSCTP’s trip on this website and on facebook.  Jambo Africa!