Efosa's Update from Around the World
ATI MissionWorks Annual Update
Since July 2014, the company has sent 6 distinct Physical Therapy groups around the world on different continents to serve, teach, collaborate, or represent the program and company. The list of countries include: Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Nigeria, Uganda, Singapore, and China. The organizations and entities include: Hearts In Motion in Zacapa,Guatemala; People of Peru Project in Iquitos,Peru; Foundation of Brother Miguel in Quito, Ecuador; Range of Motion Project in Quito, Ecuador; The Municipality of Salcaja, Guatemala; Benson Idahosa University in Benin, Nigeria; Faith Mediplex Hospital in Benin, Nigeria; GEANCO Foundation in Anambra, Nigeria World Confederation of Physical Therapy Conference in Singapore; Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai China; Beijing Hospital in Beijing China. ATIMissionWorks has also become a member of the Health Consortium that was developed and is led by ATI's Dr. Chris Stout. The Consortium is made up of a group of organizations that dialogue and discuss ways to support and promote each other's efforts where applicable. This upcoming summer, the first every Sports Medicine led Mission Trip is happening in Zacapa, Guatemala in with MissionWorks led by ATCs will be collobariting with local professional sports teams, as well as the organization Sports in Motion, in activities that will include teaching and treating. Other organizations are now reaching out to MissionWorks to develop relationships and current partners continue to request that we maintain and continue our efforts with their organization or in their region. Trip goers express the dual feeling of being like they fulfilled others and were fulfilled themselves.
Shanghai, China
MissonWorks has spent the last few weeksin Singapore for the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) Conference. They are in China doing some teaching and collaborations with different clinics and hospitals. They presented and taught to Physicians and Physical Therapists at Riujin Hospital in Shanghai, China. Topics included Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Posture education, and Thoracic Cage Management.
From Benin, Nigeria
Efosa served in Benin, Nigeria with Faith Mediplex Hospital and Benson Idahosa University. Many of the patients treated presented with multiple orthopedic and neurological issues and had never experienced Physical Therapy. Positive gains were made via exercise, movement and gait education, and manual therapy. With each patient it was key to discuss home program and routine with their family members to buttress the treatments, as some members were seen only once and some others seen multiple times by Efosa. The staff and leadership at Faith Mediplex Hospital and Bension Idahosa University were very welcoming. Their interdisciplinary services and operations lead the way in Benin and they are in discussions to create a more permanent Physical Therapy Department in the Hospital. Their motto of Leading the Change really ties in well with how MissionWorks and the ATI Foundation likes to lead on the front lines as a Physical Therapy company by serving domestically and abroad. Later this year, MissionWorks will be sending another group to Anambra, Nigeria to work with the organization GEANCO.
From Iquitos, Peru
Efosa is working with the People of Peru Project in Iquitos, Peru. This is the second time that ATI MissionWorks has collaborated with Paul Opp and his organization, in the form of delivering rehabilitation services to those with low means and high needs. Efosa has also spent time with the Sunshine Kids Club, an organization that mentors the youth in Iquitos.
From Gualan, Guatemala
Efosa continues on his ATI MissionWorks trip around the world with a stop in Gualan, Guatemala. Here he is seen with some of the children who live at a local center where they receive care and lodging. ATI MissionWorks will be sending two more groups of clinicians to Guatemala in 2015 and those groups will also be making stops at a local nutrition center and senior center.
From Teculutan, Guatemala
Efosa is making his away around the world, and is currently working with the organization Hearts in Motion. He recently met Hugo Paiz, Mayor of Teculutan, Guatemala, and spent his first week in Teculutan developing a physical therapy clinic with local staff—now the only physical therapy clinic in town offering treatment for adults with musculoskeletal pains and dysfunctions. The team has already been treating patients from the area, and has had an outstanding 18 visits in three days. Mayor Paiz is happy to see the new clinic in town, and said he is looking forward to spreading the word.
The same core values that define an ATI Physical Therapy clinic have been used as building blocks for this one. The ATI Mission can indeed work around the world!
Efosa's Departing Words
ATI Mission: To exceed customer expectations by providing the highest quality of care in a friendly, encouraging environment.
We learn the company’s mission during our first few days at ATI. It serves as our creed and foundation; what to strive for and how to carry ourselves as professionals. The words are there like a coach, constantly urging us to be the best that we can be for the sake of our patients, and the community in which we practice. The words that always jump out at me are: “... exceeding....higher quality,” “... friendly and encouraging.” They ring true and are strong reminders of how to deliver care, whether our patient is around the corner or around the world.
Most recently, the ATI MissionWorks program has given employees a chance to fulfill its mission on the international level and show the global community that we can vigorously apply our values, no matter where we are located.
Over the past three years, we have sent 10 groups of rehab clinical teams all over the world to provide care to hundreds of patients in underserved areas who otherwise would not have had these services available. The experiences have given our clinicians a chance to share their skills in a way that fulfills others, as well as themselves. The program continues to grow. MissionWorks is playing its part to show that the ATI mission can indeed work domestically and abroad, and demonstrates that the mission can ring true and strong wherever it is applied.
In an effort to strengthen the ATI brand through MissionWorks, and to expand and develop new relationships, Efosa Guobadia, PT, DPT will continue to lead the program and travel to multiple countries in multiple continents. His goal is multifaceted, and will include services in developing areas, teaching to and with local clinicians, and meeting with our professional brothers and sisters from around the world.
For updates on Efosa’s travels, please visit ATI's website and social media channels. For more information on his extended journey, please visit PT Haven at its website and social media homes.
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