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Specialist reaches out to others by Cindy A. Abole Public Relations In addition to his work as chair of Otolaryngology, Paul Lambert, M.D., has been an active supporter of medical mission work in the Dominican Republic.  A member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society, Lambert organized a team of specialists representing Medical Missions International. For the last five years this team of volunteer surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and others conducted ear surgeries for rural and needy patients who live outside of Santo Domingo and other impoverished areas of this Caribbean island. During his initial visit to the country in 1995, Lambert conducted 14 surgeries a week on patients suffering with ear problems. In recent years, he has been able to double the number of patients served but, the waiting lists for patients to be seen by the Medical Missions team extends past 2001.  Because of conditions, people are too poor to seek medical help,” Lambert said. According to Lambert, the infection from ear diseases can extend into the brain causing severe problems like a brain abscess and meningitis. Within the last few years, Lambert has been accompanied by two of his children, Lara, 21 and Paul, 18, both college students. The pair helped the team distribute toys and care items for Dominicans living in surrounding villages. Lambert wants to instill the same values and experience he’s learned by participating in international humanitarian efforts outside of their own community.