Barry University's School of Podiatric Medicine (BUSPM) recently received a $5,000 donation from the International Foot & Ankle Foundation for Education and Research, (IFAF) formerly known as the Northwest Podiatric Foundation. The money will support the ongoing charitable medical missions of the Barry's Yucatan Crippled Children's Project (YCCP). Thanks to the YCCP, which is approaching its 15th anniversary, more than 6,700 crippled and indigent children of Yucatan, Mexico have been treated with the help of podiatric physicians and surgeons from the Barry's School of Podiatric Medicine as well as podiatric physicians and surgeons from IFAF. The IFAF funds will be used by the YCCP to help buy supplies and equipment for future humanitarian trips.
Dr. G. Dock Dockery, chairman of IFAF, along with Dr. Byron Hutchinson, and the Board of Directors, recently traveled to the Yucatan as part of the medical team for the YCCP. Dr. Dockery presented Dr. Keith Kashuk, co-director of the YCCP, with the gift from IFAF. The donations were contributed by 31 friends and colleagues of Dr. Dockery, in his name, specifically for the YCCP.
In addition, Magdalena Rosol, of Bako Pathology Services, presented Dr. Gary "Dock" Dockery, Chairman of IFAF, with a donation check for $3,000 for the Yucatan Crippled Children Project. The IFAF has been a long-time supporter of the Barry University Yucatan Crippled Children Project and Bako Pathology Laboratories is a major supporter of IFAF.
These generous gifts help commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Project, which will be celebrated in Mexico July 13-17, 2011. This trip will be the 70th mercy mission that Dr. Charles Southerland and his team have made to the Yucatan to assist indigent crippled children in that region. According to Dr. Southerland, "We began this Project as a onetime trip in 1988 after Hurricane Gilbert ripped through the Yucatan. Fifteen years later, we are still helping one child at a time become whole again. This Project could not carry on without the support of our generous sponsors." If you are interested in supporting the Yucatan Crippled Children's Project, please contact Bob McKinlay at 305-899-3283.