CSC master's degree helps graduate help others

Moses, who earned her MBA in 2014, recently completed her fourth trip to Vietnam with the About Face Foundation, a Colorado-registered non-profit that has been providing charitable surgical care in Vietnam for the last twenty years. During the 11-day trip last month, About Face founder, Dr. Jerry K. Popham, and his volunteer team of twelve medical professionals completed over 50 facial and maxillofacial surgeries for children whose deformities would have otherwise gone untreated.

For the last four years, Moses has provided logistical support and planning for the mission. The work includes coordinating and overseeing selection, assembly and transportation of medical supplies, instruments and equipment to and from Vietnam, Moses said. In addition, she has obtained significant donations of supplies for the hospital in central Vietnam where the surgeries are carried out.

“The trips are emotionally and spiritually rewarding,” Moses said.

The hospital supplies a list of about 150 potential patients, who are assessed by the team with the assistance of two translators. Surgeries on the children who are selected take place over a five-day period. After the operation, each child is taken to recovery and then released to their family with medical directives for post-surgical care.

“Occasionally an elder member from the family meets with our staff or we receive touching letters from our patients’ families expressing their gratitude and appreciation,” Moses said.

Moses, who holds an Associate’s Degree from Cottey College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado Women’s College – now part of the University of Denver – and a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota, credits her Chadron State MBA with giving her skills in strategic planning and personnel management necessary to successfully support the team’s efforts.

Moses said the Chadron State degree has also been “a significant addition” to her professional skills as a practicing oil and gas attorney, giving her confidence working on complicated bankruptcy cases involving finance, accounting, marketing and management issues.

Moses said her niece, Kelli Moses-Dolfi, and her husband, Deron Dolfi, graduated from Chadron State College and are among the college’s supporters.

Since it was founded, the About Face Foundation has provided services and care for over 1,050 children in central Vietnam afflicted with facial deformities.

For information or to make a donation to the foundation, contact Park Avenue Oculoplastic Surgeons, Jerry K. Popham, MD, FACS, 1800 Emerson St., Denver, CO, 80218

—George Ledbetter