Dr. F. Don Parsa, chief of plastic surgery at Queen's, performed three surgeries on Ulep over the past six months, including one using a new technique called Integra in which artificial skin is developed to help rebuild damaged skin.

For Ulep, the change is practical as well as profound. "I can move my neck," she said. "I can face everybody."

She remembers the accident in 1999, watching the flames ignite her gloves and her gown and thinking "Oh, my God, this might be the end of my life." Ulep plans to fly to the Philippines on July 15 and go back to work as she continues to recover from the burns.

Parsa said this was the first time that someone at Queen's had used the Integra technique, which has been used at Straub Clinic & Hospital where most of the state's burn victims are treated.

In traditional skin grafts, doctors must remove entire pieces of skin from one part of the body to replace damaged tissue. Parsa said Integra doesn't require such invasive procedures. "We are not creating a defect," he said.

He also said the newer process is less painful. Parsa said he believes that many patients could benefit from the newer techniques and expects to see it used more in the future.

Sy estimated that the donated services of Parsa, Queen's and the others who helped were worth $100,000. Ulep said she also got critical support from an aunt who lives in 'Ewa Beach who has welcomed her since January.

Over the past 20 years, Sy said, Aloha Medical Mission has conducted 64 missions to various countries, providing free medical and dental services to those who could not have them otherwise. He estimates that 3,000 medical volunteers have treated 200,000 people in nine Asian and Pacific countries.

Sy said Ulep is among about 10 of those patients who been brought to Hawai'i. He said that in determining whom to assist, the mission considers whether the patient's life will be changed by the help; if the procedure can't be done in their home country; and if helpers like Parsa and Queen's are available.