Healing beyond borders
UC Clermont surgical tech alum makes impactful mission to Africa
The terrified 5-year-old boy’s cries echoed down the crowded hospital hallway. His parents had brought him to Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala, Uganda, to finally have a large tumor removed from his neck — but he was afraid of the strangers in scrubs who spoke a different language, the bright lights and unfamiliar instruments.
May is hot and muggy in Uganda. The hospital has no air conditioning. Open windows, even in the lone operating room that often handles two surgeries at a time, welcome the only relief — and plenty of flies — throughout the facility.
Hailey Beesten, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati Clermont’s Surgical Technology program, was waiting for the patient in the OR. She knew — as he didn’t — that the surgery would change his life for the better.
“I’m sure it was the scariest thing he ever had to do,” said Beesten, who graduated in 2022 and now works as a certified surgical technologist in head and neck procedures at UC Medical Center. The tumor was benign, and by the next day, the boy’s spirits had lifted.
“He was so happy, running around the hospital,” said Beesten. “We gave him a toy. The mother was very appreciative. He had lived with this debilitating tumor for years with no one to treat it.”
Hailey Beeston in the operating room at Uganda Cancer Institute.
The patient will stay with Beesten as one of many she had the opportunity to help during her weeklong mission trip this spring. The trip is a regular endeavor for Chad Zender, MD, in UC’s Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, whom Beesten assists in neurosurgeries and procedures addressing cancer of the head and neck. Zender is also president of the nonprofit organization Head and Neck Outreach, which aims to improve head and neck health care in the developing world.
According to the organization, Uganda has just 30 ear, nose and throat specialists in the country and only one fellowship-trained ENT oncology specialist — in a nation of more than 45 million people.
Beesten said she didn’t hesitate when Zender invited her and another UC nurse to join a team of health care workers from across the United States on this latest mission.
“I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
Upon arriving in Africa, Beesten was shocked at the poverty and lack of health care she encountered.
“The whole experience was humbling and eye opening,” she said. “You don’t really understand what it’s like until you see it firsthand. Their health care is basically non-existent.”
For a week, Beesten’s team worked 14 hours a day with only lunch breaks, completing a total of 16 surgeries. She said patients awaiting surgery sat in the halls, with no open beds available, and families provided the bulk of post-operative care. Most of the tumors were large and advanced.
I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Hailey Beeston UC Clermont Surgical Technology alum
But the Ugandan medical staff, despite having few resources, gleaned all the knowledge they could the U.S. group, learning more about sterile practices and surgical techniques.
“The people were amazing,” Beesten said. “They want to improve the care they offer; they waste nothing, reuse everything. And the patients were so happy to be able to get the surgeries they needed. It was exhausting, hard work, but it was completely worth it to help the patients and staff.”
The trip was not Beesten’s first brush with a challenge. When she arrived at the UC hospital — a world-class, Level 1 trauma center — she felt overwhelmed and daunted.
“It’s not an easy place to work,” she said. “But a year later, I’ve already gone on this trip. I work in neurosurgery. I’m comfortable in my skills and feel like I could go into any type of surgery. I’m so thankful for the foundation I got at UC Clermont.”
Hailey Beeston in the UC Clermont Library. Photo/Danny Kidd
The work ethic developed at the college, Beesten said, prepared her for the daily challenges of the surgical suite, both at home and abroad. UC Clermont surgical technology students must complete 600 hours of clinical training before graduating with their associate degree. Students also must pass a state exam to be certified, and faculty spend a significant amount of time preparing them for the test.
Beesten knew she wanted to work in health care and was originally drawn to the program because it was close to home — she graduated from Williamsburg High School — and offered small classes sizes and affordable tuition.
“The smaller program made for a hands-on experience,” said Beesten. “If we had questions, the professors were able to help us at any time. They did whatever they could to help us succeed.”
Beesten said above all, the mission trip reaffirmed her choice of career. She plans to stay in health care for the long term, and while she eventually might consider nursing or another advanced degree, she is soaking up all the experience her current role has to offer.
“Not a lot of people can say that they get to do surgeries every day,” said Beesten. “I love the doctors I work with, and most of all, I love helping patients. It’s really rewarding.”
Learn more about UC Clermont’s Surgical Technology program.
Featured image at top: Hailey Beeston on the UC Clermont campus. Photo/Danny Kidd
About UC Clermont
UC Clermont College is located in the center of Clermont County on 91 beautiful, wooded acres in Batavia Township. The college is an accredited, open-access institution offering more than 60 programs and degrees. UC Clermont is part of the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati. For more information, call 513-556-5400 or visit www.ucclermont.edu.
Related Stories
Incoming Bearcat hopes to follow mom into medicine
July 29, 2022
Brooke Bartholomew had a hunch something good was about to happen when she saw people carrying balloons in the University of Cincinnati’s black and red colors walk into her high school classroom.
A legacy of service
August 10, 2023
Dr. Chris Lewis first visited Tanzania nearly 20 years ago as a UC medical resident intent on making a difference in the country. Now he’s instilling a passion for global health in a new generation of students through Village Life Outreach Project.
Greetings, grace and gratitude
July 25, 2023
A team of UC students, faculty, staff and supporters traveled to East Africa for a service-learning trip across three villages in Tanzania. They returned to campus with a transformational cultural experience and lessons that last a lifetime.
Bearcat dreams come true on Decision Day
January 23, 2023
The newest Bearcats learn they’ve been accepted into the University of Cincinnati on Decision Day, and UC officials surprised area students at their high schools with admission, scholarships and more.
Student scholars continue Marian Spencer's legacy
February 9, 2023
A total of 10 students in Cincinnati Public Schools have been named Marian Spencer Scholars for the Fall 2023. Four learned of their award on Decision Day, January 23, while six others received the surprise announcement during the following week. UC officials visited eight Cincinnati schools to congratulate these high-achieving students.
Inaugural class of Marian Spencer Scholars announced
February 8, 2022
The University of Cincinnati has awarded 10 high school students from Cincinnati Public Schools the new Marian Spencer Scholarship.
Yahoo: Future University of Cincinnati Bearcats get surprised at school and at home
January 28, 2022
News media highlight UC's Decision Day records as students get surprised with admission and scholarships.
UC surprises future Bearcats on Decision Day
January 24, 2022
Decision Day marks the moment when thousands of incoming Bearcats learn they’ve been accepted to the University of Cincinnati. University officials surprised four area high school seniors at their schools and homes, making them among the first to be accepted into UC in 2022.
Cincinnati media: Surprise scholarships celebrate Decision Day at the University of Cincinnati
January 25, 2024
Five television stations from across Greater Cincinnati featured segments on UC's Decision Day 2024. Thousands of high school students from across the region learned they were admitted to the University of Cincinnati for Fall 2024. Applications to UC approached nearly 33,000, a 7% increase over last year.
Fox 19: Non-profit partners with UC’s Global Scholars program
April 23, 2021
Two first-year students from Tanzania are supported by the UC Global Scholar's program and The Village Life Project.