Anesthesiologist uses skills for those in need overseas

For the past four years, Kuang has joined facial plastic surgeon Dr. Ifepo Sofola on medical mission trips all over the world, bringing much-needed medical care to the less fortunate.

"I've been doing medical missions every year for the last four years," Kuang said. "Dr. Sofola … has a connection with a group in Seattle, so we've been going (to Nigeria) together for the last three years."

Earlier this month, Kuang and Sofola, along with a team that included prominent facial plastic surgeons Dr. Jose Barrera and Dr. Anthony Brissett, traveled to Rwanda to perform free facial reconstructive surgeries and train local surgeons on new surgical techniques and advances. The team saw nearly 30 pediatric and adult patients during the four-day medical mission and completed a number of very complex surgeries -- some of which took up to 20 hours -- to correct various facial disfigurements.

"Dr. Sofola recruited some highly-skilled surgeons from different cities and different academic institutes," Kuang said. "We form a very powerful team in terms of professionalism, skills and knowledge.”

Kuang said he's seen missions like these literally change the lives of people in developing countries. No longer relegated to the outskirts of society because of their appearance, patients feel confident participating in their community and are able to build a better life for themselves after they recover.

The medical mission to Rwanda was organized by Face the Future Missions, a voluntary humanitarian and surgical exchange program sponsored by the Canadian Foundation for Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Although the doctors and other medical personnel who participate in Face the Future Missions donate their time, Kuang said the organization needs donations to cover other costs associated with these medical missions.

When he's not seeing patients at Humble Surgical Hospital or traveling around the world for medical missions, Kuang enjoys playing golf. He is also a photography enthusiast.

For more information on the Canadian Foundation for Facial Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery or Face the Future Missions, call Melanie Lovering at 416-570-4890, email facethefuture@bell.net or visit www.facethefuturefoundation.ca.

To learn more about Humble Surgical Hospital, call 281-964-2100 or visit www.humblesurgical.com. You can also connect with the hospital on Facebook and Twitter.

 

ABOUT Dr. Ju Kuo Kuang

AGE: 68

OCCUPATION: Anesthesiologist

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Works at Humble Surgical Hospital

FAST FACT: Kuang went on a photo safari last year

 

Author Contact Info: Megan Mattingly-Arthur is a freelance writer. She can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.