Business Profiles
Doctor brings glasses and hope to Guatemala
By Virginia L. Woodwell
YORK - Dr. Sarah W. Holland, M.D., a plastic surgeon at York Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Center, recently returned from San Marcos, Guatemala, where she provided volunteer reconstructive surgery for children with facial defects.The children she served would not have otherwise been able to afford the care.
Holland joined a team of surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals in Guatemala last month as part of Children of the Americas, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing necessary medical and surgical services to indigent children and their families throughout the world.
As part of her trip, Holland collected eyeglasses that went to "Eyeglass Afternoon," an event that provides Guatemalan mothers, who earn their living sewing and weaving, with glasses that allow them to better see their fine handiwork.
"The response we received from the York community was overwhelming," Holland said of the effort to collect glasses prior to her departure.
More than 100 pairs of glasses were collected, many from anonymous donors.
Holland offered special thanks to Roberta Pomeroy, David Philbrick, The Lions Club, Dottie Witham, June Spinney, Mary-Anne Szeniawski, Sue and Ted Little and York's Brixham Montessori Friends School for their generous donations to the effort.
Since 1987, Children of the Americas has identified specific medical needs of patients through volunteer medical/surgical mission teams and by referrals from other agencies. The teams of volunteer staff provide medical services and surgeries on-site in Central America within the realm of their expertise. The nonprofit relies on private donations and foundation grants to fund their services.
Holland is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is fellowship trained in craniofacial surgery. She is the founder of York Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Center, where services include cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the body and face, Botox, Restylane, Radiesse, Titan, and aesthetic services including microdermabrasion, facials, chemical peels, photorejuvenation, spider vein and laser hair removal.
For more information about the trip, visit www.childrenoftheamericas.org.
For more information on Holland's local practice, call 351-3001 or visit www.yorkps.com.
