VOLUME 32, ISSUE 2

I feel that it is important to recognize the accomplishments of two of our colleagues from the Austin area who have dedicated their careers to international volunteer mission work in Latin America. This year, in honor of outstanding work and leadership in medical missions, two anesthesiologists are being honored with the 2nd Annual Cullington, Fox, Beckham International Service Awards. Drs. William P. (Quint) Barnes and Stanley R. Eckert’s combined work includes giving of their time, medical expertise, and talents on over 50 Austin Smiles Medical Mission trips (including El Salvador, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua) over the past 20+ years. Austin Smiles-The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1987 and they are celebrating their 34th year of providing surgical care to children born cleft lip and cleft palate, both in Central Texas and in Latin America. One in 700 children is born with a cleft lip or palate, which impacts their ability to communicate intelligibly, receive proper nourishment, and can lead to discrimination in many parts of the world. Latin American countries often lack the resources to provide adequate care for these children in dealing with the complex problems associated with cleft lip and palate.

Drs. Barnes and Eckert have served Austin Smiles numerous times in the roles of medical mission leaders and anesthesia team leaders. In addition, they have also served in numerous roles on the Board of Directors for Austin Smiles and their impact and influences on the organization have been tremendous. As confirmed by numerous staff members of Austin Smiles, without their efforts, the life changing work and the mission trips of Austin Smiles would not have been possible for the last three decades.

It is noteworthy that their generous volunteer efforts were in addition to their work as anesthesiologists in Austin over the past 30+ years. Quint Barnes recently retired after many years in practice with Capitol Anesthesia and Stan Eckert has had a similar career spanning a similar time frame with Austin Anesthesiology Group. Their efforts combined, they have transformed the lives of over 2500 children in several countries across Latin America. They will be honored with these awards at the “Wish Upon a Smile Gala” November 14th, 2020 at the Oasis Starlight Terrace.

I had the pleasure of being part of 2 mission trips to El Salvador (2010 and 2018), both of which were led by Dr. Barnes. His calm demeanor and clinical excellence brought calm and resolution to many potentially stressful situations. I learned a great deal from him during those weeks and hope to have future opportunities with the wonderful team at Austin Smiles. Although I never had the pleasure to travel with Dr. Eckert, he is held in similar high esteem by all who have worked with him. He has stated that “Austin Smiles is the most worthwhile organization with which I have ever been involved.” I know that those who have worked with Dr. Eckert feel similarly about him.

Please join me in congratulating Drs. Eckert and Barnes for their outstanding contributions to the health of the children of Latin America, as well as Central Texas, over the past few decades. The impact of changing a child’s life in such a way cannot be overstated. The lasting effects of their work will continue on in the organization through those they have taught and inspired.