Volunteer Doctors Offer Children The Gift Of A Lifetime At Firestone Medical Center In LiberiaFirestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC worked with team from Children’s Surgery International to provide free surgeries for underprivileged youth

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., and HARBEL, Liberia, West Africa (May 6, 2010) - In a remarkable illustration of progress and resolve, the Firestone Medical Center at Duside — the same hospital that was vandalized and destroyed during the Liberian civil war — recently hosted a five-day surgical mission that provided 142 free, life-changing operations to underprivileged youth from villages and towns across Liberia.

“I can remember very clearly when, in 2004, we were assessing the damage that occurred during the war. I wondered then if we would ever be able to turn Firestone Medical Center into a hospital again,” said Dan Adomitis, President of Firestone Natural Rubber Company, LLC (FSNR). “Knowing all of the hard work that we have put into rebuilding our entire operation, being able to host this mission is something in which our team takes great pride.”

Twenty volunteer doctors and nurses from Children’s Surgery International (CSI), coordinated with Firestone Medical Center staff to perform the surgeries, which ranged from hernia repairs, scar revisions and skin grafts to tumor removal, cleft lip and palate surgery. CSI doctors also provided training for Firestone surgeons in specialized procedures.

“The team from Children’s Surgery International was absolutely phenomenal,” said Adomitis. “The surgeons put in very long days in the operating room, setting a record for the number of surgeries performed in a single mission. Their generous volunteerism has clearly changed a lot of lives.”

Countless other Firestone employees also played a role in the mission, assisting with the logistics of transporting, housing and feeding patients and their family members. In addition, teammates from across the Bridgestone Americas family of companies provided donations of toys, children’s books and clothing that were distributed during the mission.

“The mission was even more successful than we had hoped,” said Dr. Peter Melchert, Medical Director for CSI. “So much of what we were able to accomplish is directly related to the generosity of Firestone. We are thankful to every nurse, physician and support staff that gave all they had to ensure the mission was such a success.”

Building upon the success of this mission, CSI and FSNR have already started discussing plans for “Duside II” – a second surgical mission hosted by the Firestone Medical Center at Duside.

Reopening in December 2008 after extensive renovations, the Firestone Medical Center at Duside offers a full range of health care services including general surgery, prenatal programs and vaccinations. The hospital is designed to support 300 beds and includes three operating theaters, a laboratory and a pharmacy. FSNR partners with UNICEF and the Liberian Ministry of Health to store and administer vaccines that help protect Liberians from a range of diseases. The company provides free health care to its employees and their dependents. Health services are also provided to the community at large.