North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) announced today that two plastic surgeons will perform reconstructive surgery on an Iraqi man who was shot in the head by Saddam loyalists for helping American forces in Baghdad.

Thomas Davenport, MD, and Kaveh Alizadeh, MD, will perform at least two - and probably three - reconstructive facial surgeries later this month at NSUH on an Iraqi national named Uday (at the Pentagon's request, his last name has been kept confidential to protect the privacy and safety of his family). The surgeons and the hospital are providing services at no charge.

North Shore-LIJ Health System President & CEO Michael Dowling chats with plastic surgeons Kaveh Alizadeh, MD, left, and Thomas Davenport, MD, who will be performing facial reconstructive surgeries later this month at North Shore University Hospital on Uday, an Iraqi man who was shot by Saddam loyalists for helping American troops in Baghdad.

Uday's story of courage and hope illustrates the true meaning of global medicine," Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System, said today at a news conference with Uday, the surgeons, and representatives of the U.S. Army and the Global Medical Relief Fund who have assisted Uday since the 2003 shooting. "We live in a time when the news is filled with images of war and bloodshed. It is our belief that medicine must rise above all that, and provide compassionate care for all who are suffering."

Uday was a private citizen supporting his family in his homeland when the Americans arrived in Iraq. In 2003, Uday (who speaks English) approached one of the U.S. commanding officers and offered to help as a translator for Allied troops in Baghdad.

In May 2003, he was attacked by two Iraqi men, who shot him in the elbow and face. He survived the attack but was left horribly disfigured. He lost his right eye, and is still unable to see, hear, taste or smell on the right side of his face.

Uday with Elissa Montanti, founder of a Staten Island charity called Global Medical Relief Fund, who made arrangements with the U.S. military to bring Uday to the United States.

Five days after the attack, Uday awoke in a hospital in Kuwait, fighting for his life. Through a series of fortunate coincidences, Uday was introduced to Elissa Montanti, the founder of a Staten Island, NY-based children's charity called Global Medical Relief Fund. Ms. Montanti met Uday while on her way into Iraq, where she was headed to pick up wounded children and bring them back to New York for care. She agreed to work on Uday's behalf, even though her charity's main involvement is with children. When she returned to the United States, she attended a charity benefit, where she met Dr. Davenport of Long Island Plastic Surgical Group in Garden City, NY. Dr. Davenport heard Uday's story, and agreed to help reconstruct Uday's face.

After two years of negotiations, Uday's transportation to the United States was arranged and he arrived in New York in September. Among those joining Uday, Mr. Dowling, Drs. Davenport and Alizadeh, and Ms. Montanti at today's news conference was U.S. Army Reserve Major Kathryn Vanauken, who assisted Uday following the shooting.

Contact:
Michelle Pinto
Terry Lynam
(516) 465-2649/2640