Since 1994, Surgicorps International has performed more than 3,000 life-changing surgeries in 16 countries.

By Mario Gutierrez — Surgicorps Volunteer

One of the unique and wonderful aspects of Surgicorps is our desire to include a variety of individuals on the surgical missions to experience firsthand what we do, and interact with the people and culture of the places where we go. This past April, the team in Bhutan was composed of 28 individuals, the largest team to date. In addition to our core group of surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses, our team included a budding young third year plastic surgery resident, a medical student from the United States and one from New Zealand, and a volunteer preparing to enter medical school. Also for the first time our Bhutan team included dentists. Dr. William Manteris, the leader of the dental team, who on his own, has traveled internationally providing volunteer dental care to those in need, joined a Surgicorps team for the first time. Willie brought a team of two young dentists who conducted educational and restorative care for more than 1,000 children and adults in several isolated rural villages during our week in Bhutan.

Surgicorps received a Certificate of Appreciation from Her Majesty’s Tarayana Foundation at a ceremony during the Inaugural Session for the Tarayana Annual Fair in Thimphu, Bhutan on Friday, May 4th. Surgicorps is the first international organization to receive this honor recognizing our work on behalf of the Bhutanese people over the past six years. Founder Jack Demos and his father and fellow board member, Tony Demos, returned to Bhutan earlier this week to accept the award in person.

Stories and images from the recently completed Surgical Camp in Paro will be posted soon. The 28 member team completed 59 surgeries, 125 knee injections and the first-time dental camp reached more than 1,000 Bhutanese children in a one-week period. This was Surgicorps’ 6th trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan.

In the words of volunteer Marina Llull from Mallorca, Spain

Surgicorps once again has managed to recruit some of the best doctors, nurses, anesthetists and other helpers to travel all the way to the other side of the world with the only goal to provide medical attention to anyone who reaches out for their help.

On the 27th of October all of these hardworking people paused from their everyday lives to make many other lives a thousand times better. Leaving their jobs, routines and their families and friends, these volunteers were willing to go beyond feeling solidarity and take one more step. Spending their own money and time, which we sometimes forget is something pretty hard to find, these special people want to actually make a difference.

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Surgicorps traveled to Zambia in September for the first time. The team knew that most of the surgeries would be burns but little else was known. Surgicorps’ 20 volunteers found a welcoming hospital staff and many patients in need of services. Surgicorps was able to provide 43 successful surgeries to the children of CURE hospital. 

One child was 11 year old Augustine. From the first day of screening his wonderful smile won everyone’s heart.  Augustine had been burned when he was nine months old when placing a stick in a cooking fire. His burn had healed but his arm had adhered to his chest.  Over the years, he had learned to function without full use of his arm. He also learned to smile!  

Our thanks to team members, Thad Ellis and Dave Fortun, for sharing their experiences.

In the Words of Dave Fortun, Surgicorps Volunteer

Sunday, they arrive.