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Patient Travels 7,000 Miles to be Treated at Temple

Patients find their way to Temple University Hospital in many different ways. Some are referred by their physician. Others respond to a news article or TV commercial. Still others arrive because of a recommendation from a friend or family member.

Then there's the story of Rev. David Serunjogi, who traveled more than 7,000 miles to Temple University Hosptial from the African country of Uganda.

Rev. Serunjogi - known by most as "Romans" (after Romans 8:1) - runs an active ministry in Uganda that has started a 1,200-student primary school, an 800-student high school and a much-needed hospital. Orphaned as a young boy, Romans has become an entrepreneurial force for good in his country. As one person said of him, "Romans never stops."

It turns out that's not entirely true.

In 2011, Romans was playing soccer with a group of students when he accidently stepped into a hole and broke his ankle. "I was just about to score a goal, too," he jokes. Although his ankle was repaired with surgical screws and an implanted bracket at another healthcare facility, Romans remained in constant pain - which limited his mobility and his work.

Enter a local charity called "ECHOES Around the World" and a young man named Jeff. ECHOES is a non-profit organization based in Devon, Pa., that funds some of Romans' work. And Jeff is Jeff Kaiser, son of Larry Kaiser, MD, CEO & Dean of Temple's healthcare enterprise.

Jeff first met Romans when the Reverend was in the Philadelphia area a few years ago and spoke at his school. Impressed with his work, Jeff later spent several weeks in Uganda living with Romans and observing the good work at the schools and hospital. Jeff also raised money in the U.S. to purchase an ambulance for Romans' hospital.

The founder of ECHOES knew of Jeff and, like many in Philadelphia, also knew of his father. As a result, a decision was made to look into the possibility of having a Temple doctor help Romans while he was visit1ng Philadelphia for ECHOES' annual fundraiser.

On April 16, Temple orthopaedic surgeon Joseph L. Eremus, MD, operated on Romans, removing two troublesome surgical screws that had been causing him considerable pain and hampering his ability to work and walk The operation was a success and Romans is now back in Uganda where he is expected to make a full recovery.

"I can't tell you how grateful I am to Temple," says Romans.

Date Published: Wednesday, June 20, 2012

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