Greetings from the Golden Heart of Alaska!
My name is Jennifer Lent. I live in Fairbanks with my husband, Chuck T. Lent CRNA, LTC, USAR and our 4 daughters (ages 19, 11, 9, and 5!). I am employed as a staff CRNA with the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel, Alaska. I have been a CRNA for 16 years and have just begun working towards my Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice with Texas Wesleyan University. I have been the Secretary of the AKANA since September, 2014.
My most interesting experience as a CRNA occurred in May, 2016. I traveled to Harare Central Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe, to work as a CRNA on a facial reconstructive humanitarian mission. I worked with Operation of Hope on the organization’s 16th trip to Zimbabwe.
Operation of Hope in Zimbabwe
Every mission undertaken by Operation of Hope in Zimbabwe costs the foundation about $55,000.00. The other volunteers and I donated time and travel expenses and the foundation picked up the cost for everything else. Please look them up online, www.operationofhope.org, and consider donating to their effort.
Operation of Hope was a great success in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Harare Central Hospital
Hallway Sign at Harare Hospital
Basic operating room – no frills!
Sign on the operating room door
One of our patients, named No Matter, and her mother. According to custom, children might be named according to first thoughts concerning the child after birth. Her mom saw her cleft lip and decided, no matter, I’ll love her anyway!
Members of Operation of Hope moving in supplies on set-up weekend
Guest house at the Imire Game Park
A 55 gallon trash can of clean water in the women’s locker room at the hospital. The hospital runs out of water and toilet paper quite frequently. They stockpile clean water. Bring your own toilet paper!
Crocodile meat In the grocery store!
Yours truly,
Jennifer Lent, CRNA
2020 AKANA Annual Education Meeting