KAREN EARNSHAW
The month of March is Women’s Health Month, as designated by US Congress in 1987 to recognize the importance of supporting women’s physical, mental, and emotion well-being. So it is fitting that Canvasback Missions brought a women’s health team to Majuro this month.
The first members of the team arrived in Majuro on Tuesday March 10, Canvasback’s Chief Operating Officer Sterling Spence told the Journal Monday. “A portion of our team are preparing for two weeks of service.”
The rest of the team arrived on Friday, March 13, and will be serving at the Majuro hospital until March 27.
“In addition to working at Majuro hospital we will be taking a team out to the Ajeltake Clinic on March 18 and the Laura Health Center March 20,” Sterling said.
Noteworthy is that the team is made up of staff from all over the US, “but they have served together many times. The lead doctors are Anne Anholm, OBGYN, and Leif Voild OBGYN who are both from Everett in Washington State.”
With 23 members, this is one of Canvasback’s largest teams to come to the Marshall Islands. “We are doing female exams, surgery, and other treatments for a variety of women’s health issues including cervical cancer,” Sterling said. “Most of our team has been to Majuro many times. For example, Dr. Anholm has served the islands since the 1980s. And a majority of the volunteers have come here with Canvasback more than five times.”
Part of Canvasback’s focus is to support the Ministry of Health and Human Services in their very important work testing for and preventing HPV (Human papillomavirus, a common virus that can later cause cervical cancer).
Sterling stressed that the medical visitors are “incredibly grateful” to Elizabeth Holly, Dr. Wilfred Alik, Dr. Ivy Lapidiz, and their incredible teams for welcoming the Canvasback team and allowing us to support in their work.”
The incoming group also has Wakein Deunert supporting the team. “She has long been an important part of Canvasback’s work in the RMI and serves as Canvasback’s Marshall Islands consultant. She was able to join this team for translation and all sorts of logistical help.”
The Canvasback team welcomes all women with health concerns to go to the hospital or the Ajeltake and Laura clinics to be tested and cared for.
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