Surprise reunion for Iraqi who received free spinal surgery, and more

last updated 8 January 2015

Surprise reunion for Iraqi who received free spinal surgery

In 2008, Dr. Kevin Murphy of the Minnesota National Guard arranged for Lamyaa Kareem of al-Harza, Iraq, to travel to St. Paul, Minn., to receive free surgery for her curved spine. Afterward, she and her mother, Shanna Hassan, stayed at the home of Johanna Clyborne, Dr. Murphy’s fellow guardsman. Over nine weeks, the three women bonded and became good friends. Last week in Iraq, where Clyborne is now stationed, Murphy arranged a surprise reunion for all three women, when he paid a follow-up medical visit to Naseem. There were many tears and hugs. Despite the fact that they were on an Army base, said Clyborne, “It was almost a girlie moment.”

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