BWMC group performs 141 surgeries in Dominican Republic

For years Benito Francois had to deal with an 8- to 10-pound growth in the middle of his chest that made life uncomfortable and made him a pariah.

He was shunned to the degree that when surgeons and nurses from the Medical Mission Group, made up of doctors from New York and Baltimore Washington Medical Center, were in his town of Cotui in the Dominican Republic for 10 days in April, townspeople tried to prevent him from being seen.

Eventually, he walked into the hospital and opened his shirt, exposing the oozing growth. Nurses responded immediately, and doctors prepared for surgery.

"It was the fourth OR (operation)...