CLEFT PALATE PROCEDURES:
Transcribed from the U.S. Congressional Record of the House of Representatives (4/1/1998). re-published by IPHA NEWS Editorial team.
HONORING DR. PAUL DRESCHNACK - Drafted by: Honorable Michael Bilirakis of FLA in the House of Representatives
Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to commend the work of one of my constituents, Dr. Paul Dreschnack-- a plastic surgeon who spends several weeks each year in India, voluntarily performing free operations on children born with facial defects. I recently nominated Dr. Dreschnack and his mentor, Dr. Sharad Kumar Dicksheet, for a Nobel Peace Prize. I would like to share with our colleagues the letter I submitted with their nomination application.
On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I thank Dr. Dreschnack and Dr. Dicksheet for their tireless work. They are very worthy of this prestigious award and would uphold its tradition of outstanding recipients if it is awarded to them.
Dear Nobel Committee Members: It is my distinct privilege to bring before the Committee two physicians whose humanitarian contributions in the area of medicine have prompted me to submit their names for consideration as Nobel Prize Laureates.
Most of us, as we mature and recognize that we have been the recipient of unearned blessings or talents in life, desire to give back to he community. Such is the motive driving both Dr. Discksheet and Dr. Dreschnack. But their vision, the longevity and the largesse of their contributions sets them apart among men.
For thirty years, Dr. Sharad Dicksheet has spent approximately six months each year in the poorest regions of India, providing free surgery to those in need. He brings with him a small team of surgeons, often paying for their travel out of his own funds.
Time and resources dictate that only those deemed treatable can be assured of surgery. The3 patients are primarily cleft lip and or cleft palate cases but include a variety of facial deformities of joints, and deformed ears and eyes.
But what does the work mean to his patients? Nothing short of a new life! Infants who would have died, unable to suck milk, now thrive. Families outcast by the social stigma of deformity, are restored. Young girls (and boys), unmarriageable and unable to work or make a living, have a future. Each of the 40,000 cases has a life changing story. It would be impossible to accurately estimate the thousands of people whose lives have been positively affected by Dr. Dicksheet and his associates. And when you consider that the doctors also each surgical techniques to Indian surgeons through the Indian Medical Society, the number increases even more.
What makes Dr. Dicksheet's story even more remarkable is that the doctor has conducted the majority of his humanitarian work while he, himself, has been in grave health. About 18 years ago he underwent surgery for laryngeal cancer. His speech is, for the most part, inaudible and he must communicate in writing much of the time. Ten years ago, he suffered a severe heart attack, followed by another attack in 1994. In spite of his health he has continued to raise funds, travel and operate from a wheelchair. At this time, however, his health has further deteriorated. He is not expected to live much longer. Over the years he has treated each day as a "bonanza" and has filled it with giving his life to his fellow man. "I feel good in giving this service to my countrymen," he responds when asked about his work.
The humanitarian contributions of these men sets an example for the world. They exemplify how much more we can give when we are willing to give our lives, totally. They show us how much longer our vision can be when we refuse to see obstacles and we view our fellow man as a brother.
I am very pleased to bring Dr. Sharad Kumar Dicksheet and Dr. Paul Dreschnack before you.
With best wishes, I am Sincerely yours-
MICHAEL BILIRAKIS, Member of Congress
By. Robert L. Bard, MD
Known by many of his peers as "Dr. Sir. Paul " (knighted by various European nations for his philanthropic work), I am honored to forge a collaborative partnership with his NYC practice and the advancement of his therapeutic research projects.
Dr. Dreschnack stands today as one of the top rated experts in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, while representing the best direction for the future of our medical society. He is one of the finest advocates for global health and a leader in some of the latest procedural innovations. Where a 4x nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize might affect one’s ego, Dr. Dreschnack remains the same kind and humble soul - always engaging others with that unending passion for collaborative ventures. When he first toured my diagnostic imaging facility in NYC, we immediately bonded because of his passion and uncompromising creativity for advancing therapeutic protocols. Our relationship was cemented around the joys of technical brainstorming and the common goal of making a difference in patient care.
Reflecting on his work in India, Dr. Dreschnack broke new ground in clinical intervention protocols. His surgical talents combined with his courage to overcome geopolitical restrictions made his international crusade possible, improving and saving over 30,000 children's lives. For this, he is clearly recognized in the world stage and well deserving of it.
Having paved the way for the study of various cancers both clinically and academically, Dr. Robert Bard is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of 21st Century 3-D ULTRASONOGRAPHIC VOLUMETRIC DOPPLER IMAGING. He co-founded the 9/11 CancerScan program to bring additional diagnostic support to all first responders from Ground Zero. His main practice in midtown, NYC (Bard Diagnostic Imaging- www.CancerScan.com) uses the latest in digital Imaging technology has been also used to help guide biopsies and in many cases, even replicate much of the same reports of a clinical invasive biopsy.
What is DR. PAUL DRESCHNACK Up To Today?
As a multimodality specialist, the success of Dr. Dreschnack's mission comes from combining the latest clinical findings from his advanced biological research work with his leadership in surgical care. From 1978-1999, Dr. Dreschnack achieved world notoriety with a team of surgeons by operating on an est. 250,000 to 300,000 children (free of charge) with birth defects in India. This surgery impacted so many lives from social exclusion, unemployment and limited marriage possibilities, that often lead to the death of these children.
MEDICAL ROLE MODEL* is a feature series published by IPHA NEWS. Each report showcases a peer nominated individual purely for his/her leadership, interpersonal or professional achievements and whose work is recognized for their notable merit to the community. MEDICAL ROLE MODEL* is an educational report about chosen individuals who are also members of the INTEGRATIVE PAIN HEALERS ALLIANCE. All reports are for public information only and is not to be misconstrued as commercial marketing for that individual in any way whatsoever.
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