The Children's Medical Aid Foundation

Trained in the U.S. as a plastic surgeon, Dr. Shankar Rai returned to his native Nepal to dedicate his knowledge and skills to helping others. Dr. Rai has been working with Interplast since 1992 and has completed over 5,000 surgical cleft lip and cleft palate corrections. He has now extended his services to helping impoverished children with birth defects such as syndactylism (webbed fingers), microtia (ear deformity), disfiguring moles and polydactally etc. through collaboration with Children's Medical Aid. With his dedication to service and education he has transformed a motivated and caring staff into a well oiled working machine. In june 2004 the recipient of many awards, Dr Shankar Rai was honored as "The Outstanding Physician of the Year" by The American Medical Association as he was presented with "The Nethanial Davis Award", a prestigious humanitarian award.

Much like Dr Rai, Dr Kiran Kishor Nakarrmi came from a small village with no modern conveniences. He grew up in large joint Newari family with 11 brothers and sisters living in a mud-walled house which was a day's walk to the nearest road. His father's wish was to have him be a doctor so that he could care for the poor village people. He has not disappointed his father as that is what he is doing throughout Nepal. In 2002 he entered a hand and micro-surgery fellowship at the University of Utah . In 2005 he completed a plastic surgery registration in Sidney , Australia . Dr Rai was his teacher and mentor while involved with a project called SCAPEL, which works to empower the local physicians in remote district hospitals.

Dr Mathema completed a 3 year General Surgery program in Czech Republic then later returned to complete his 5 year residency program in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. Today he is a board certified Plastic Surgeon doing charitable work at (HRDC) Hospital & Rehabilitation Disability for Children and Sheer Memorial Hospital. Dr Basant has been our team member since 1999. He dedicates 3 days a week as chief of the Plastic Surgery O.P.C.(Out Pt Clinic) at Model Hospital. CMAF is fortunate to have this accomplished and talented doctor is working with us. His cheerful attitude is welcomed by all.

Dr. Rai and Dr. Kiran work hand-in-hand to manage the challenges of developing and maintaining a program designed to care for the indigent children of Nepal with congenital with congenital defects. Together they have cultivated true team spirit.. Every person is made to feel important and essential to the success of this hard working team. Commitment is reinforced as they receive each thank you from a pt.sent home to heal with dreams of a better life.

Sushila Bhattarai, a joined the team 4 years ago. She has multiple responsibilities in and out of the operating theater. Sushila assists the anesthesiologist and the surgeon in all capacities as maintains one step ahead anticipating needs. Sushila is proficient and competent in each task that she pursues.

Mohan Dangol joined the team 6 years ago. In 2004 Mohan was trained in Hand Therapy at the Leprosy Research Center in Orissa, India . He also spent 3 months at HRDC, a non-profit Orthopedic Hospital in Nepal . Today he is a surgical assistant working closely with the surgeon. Though a specialist in hand therapy, Mohan does follow up care fo other patients as well.