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Dear Surgicorps Family,

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary and after completing our 20th mission to Vietnam, we continue to grow, as we announce two new organizational leaders: Dr. Anne Argenta and Dr. Ann Williamson. I’ve personally known both of these talented women for years from prior involvement with our Surgicorps Family……Anne Argenta has participated in numerous Surgicorps medical missions, both during and after her plastic surgical residency at UPMC; Ann Williamson was a non-medical volunteer to Nepal and Ecuador prior to completing her degrees.  Please read their interesting bios below and welcome them as they formally assume their staff positions of leadership in our organization. Our future is bright and exciting with the addition of these exceptional women.
Jack Demos
Founder, Surgicorps International

ANNE ARGENTA, MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Anne’s first trip with Surgicorps was to Bhutan in 2012, as a surgery resident.  Having previously worked with other NGO’s, she knew that she had found a gem in Surgicorps!  Over the next decade, she continued as a volunteer on Surgicorps missions to Vietnam, Zambia, Samoa, Myanmar, and Bhutan.  She was a member of the Surgicorps Medical Youth Leadership, and later, the Surgicorps’ Board of Directors. 

Anne is board certified in Plastic Surgery, with an added qualification (CAQ) in hand surgery.  Additionally, she has a master’s degree in Public Health (MPH).  Currently, she is an Associate Professor at Atrium Health Wake Forest. Anne is honored and excited to join Surgicorps in this new role, helping to expand our surgical and educational programs around the world. 

ANN WILLIAMSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR   Ann’s passion for international volunteering began in college, when she spent a month working at the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles, Haiti.  She found her way to Surgicorps, as a non-medical volunteer, completing trips to Nepal (2000) and Ecuador (2003). Ann is an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education within the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at Chatham University. With an additional master’s degree in healthcare informatics, Ann has experience in data and information management within healthcare education. In her roles at Chatham, she has completed additional international healthcare volunteering and student training.  Ann also brings experience serving two other non-profit organizations. She is very excited to resume work with Surgicorps, in this new capacity.

My time in Zambia with Surgicorps was nothing short of incredible. The people of Zambia made a lasting impression on me—their warmth, friendliness, and welcoming nature were evident in every interaction. The patients and their families were kind and hopeful, showing amazing courage despite the challenges they faced. They welcomed us not as strangers, but as partners in their journey toward better health.

One of the highlights of this trip was reconnecting with pediatric patients and families I had met during my last visit in April 2023. Seeing them again, thriving and making progress, reminded me of why this work matters so much. It’s truly special to provide ongoing care and watch these children heal and grow.

Working alongside the local staff is always an honor. This was Surgicorps’ 16th trip to Beit Cure Hospital, and the long-standing relationship we’ve built with them has become a crucial part of what we do. Their familiarity with our processes makes collaboration seamless, allowing us to maximize the care we provide during our time there. This sustainable relationship not only boosts our effectiveness but also ensures that the care we deliver has a lasting impact.

What makes this work even more rewarding is the incredible energy of the team. Whether you’re a surgeon, a nurse practitioner, a PA, an anesthesiologist, a CRNA, a nurse, a non-medical volunteer, or a trip coordinator, everyone brings their unique skills and heart to the table. We may start as strangers, but there’s a real sense of unity and a shared drive to use our talents for the good of others. Every role is important, and together, we create something greater than the sum of our parts. Without the dedication and effort of each team member, none of this would be possible.

I feel immense gratitude for the chance to be part of such a fantastic organization doing meaningful work. It’s truly an honor to contribute to these efforts. If you’re thinking about getting involved in work like this, I can promise it will be an enriching experience that will deeply impact your life.

Bienvenido a Guatemala!

Timing is everything. I have been a nurse for almost 25 years. Those years have been filled with many happy, exhilarating, fulfilling times, as well as sad and scary times. None of those experiences were as uplifting nor as fulfilling as my time with Surgicorps in Guatemala.

I have always wanted the chance to participate in a mission trip. Unfortunately, it took years until the opportunity became reality and it was all about timing. New to the area, I was getting to know one of the surgeons I work with and our conversation turned to the topic of mission trips. He told me about his experiences and about Surgicorps and their mission to provide free surgical and medical care to those in need.

“Where do I sign up?!” I asked excitedly.  He connected me to DeNese, I filled out an application for the chance to volunteer, and I was chosen! In 2019, I made my first trip with Surgicorps to Guatemala. One trip, that’s all it took, and I was hooked. It started with meeting my other teammates, then the staff at the hospital, and finally all the patients we saw on screening day whose faces lit up with a smile when they saw us. They were so grateful for us coming. So trusting and hopeful that we can “fix” whatever ails them.  I was in, hook, line, and sinker.

The team Surgicorps put together was so amazing. A group of people from various locations across the US coming together all with the same mindset and mission. To provide amazing surgical care to this wonderful community. It still amazes me how quickly we all gelled together to make the busy week run so smoothly. It is such an honor to work with this group year after year. They teach me so much and we have loads of fun together. I look forward to our “Guatemala family reunion” (as I refer to this trip) every year.

When people ask me “why do you do it” my initial response (in my head) is “why don’t you?”. But then I realize they haven’t experienced what we have, and for those of us that have experienced it, it is truly hard to express and put into words. The simple answer is we do it because that is our calling. We are here to help others. We have been trained to help others. This community and its wonderful citizens need help that we can provide. But, there is a deeper answer. When else can you experience such a level of trust, hope and gratefulness from a group of patients you have never met? Patients who don’t know you and may never see you again, and whom many of us can’t communicate with as we don’t speak their language. Yet, they look at us with so much trust, hope, and gratitude. That is a responsibility I do not take lightly. After having worked with so many of the same team members year after year, I know they don’t take that responsibility lightly either.

2024 was my fifth trip to Guatemala and we completed 134 surgeries! I am so thankful and appreciative for this opportunity to help the amazing people of Guatemala receive the care they need. And I am so grateful to Dr. Kim, Stephanie, DeNese and Surgicorps for making this a reality. I look forward to continuing to serve in Guatemala and wherever Surgicorps may need me.

Meet Happiness, an 11-year-old who is already a beacon of resilience and hope. I had the opportunity to sit and talk to Happiness and her mother about her experience with Surgicorps at Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia. Happiness is a vibrant 6th grader who has weathered more challenges than most adults. Happiness enjoys school and spending time with her family. Her favorite subject is science, with a particular fascination for comets. Despite her young age, she’s developed a profound appreciation for helping others, which inspires her daily.

Happiness’s journey began when she was just a year and eight months old. The family had just moved into a new home that was still a work in progress. Amid the chaos of unpacking and setting up, a tragic accident occurred. While playing with her older sister Joy, Happiness accidentally bumped into a hot pot of boiling water, which spilled and caused severe burns. The pain of that day was only the beginning of a long and arduous journey. Her family faced an emotional and financial burden as they sought medical help for Happiness’s burns. It was during this challenging time that they discovered Surgicorps, an organization dedicated to providing free surgical care to people in need.

In 2016, Surgicorps stepped in to help Happiness with her first surgery. The team, led by kindhearted and skilled professionals like Dr. Jack, provided the necessary medical care to address her burns and begin her healing process. The care and kindness of Dr. Jack and the Surgicorps team made a significant difference in Happiness’s life, instilling in her a desire to give back to others in the future. Since that fateful day, Happiness has undergone surgeries almost every year to manage and treat the effects of her burn. Each visit to the hospital is a testament to her bravery and her family’s unwavering support. The emotional support from Surgicorps has been instrumental in navigating these challenging times. Happiness’s mother, Harriet, describes her gratitude for Surgicorps as beyond words. The compassion and skill of Dr. Jack and his team have been a source of immense comfort for their family. They eagerly look forward to the next visit in September, hopeful for a potential surgery to further improve Happiness’s quality of life.

Outside of her medical journey, Happiness’s life is filled with the love and support of her family, especially her older sister Joy. At 13, Joy is not only a caring sibling but also a partner in fun activities. The two sisters bond over painting and singing. Whether they’re creating colorful masterpieces or singing their hearts out in the shower, these moments of togetherness are precious to both. Happiness finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Her favorite color is purple, and she adores dogs. Her favorite activities include dancing, singing, and painting. Whether it’s running around with her siblings or enjoying a quiet moment, Happiness embraces life with a smile and a song.

Looking towards the future, Happiness dreams of becoming a doctor with Surgicorps. Her motivation stems from her personal experiences and the positive impact of Dr. Jack, who was the first medical professional to truly make her feel cared for. Dr. Jack’s kindness and generosity left a lasting impression on Happiness, and she aspires to follow in his footsteps to bring hope and healing to others.

Dr. Lamvy Le, is one of the University of Minnesota Plastic Surgery residents who had the opportunity to join Surgicorps on two trips to Vietnam. Lamvy and her team just got an article published ‘The Impact of Participating in Surgical Trips to Low Income, Low Resource Countries  on Professional Development of Plastic Surgery Trainees’, FACE 5(2): 371-379, 2024. In her article all 35 residents who had graduated from the University program prior to 2020 were surveyed. All but one had gone on surgical missions during their residency training. 47% that had exposure during their residency went on to work on surgical trips after completing their training. One surgeon had completed 40 surgical missions following his training. Most graduates found that this experience made them more adaptable in the operating room, gave them a better understanding of the challenges of poverty, and helped them provide better care of marginalized patients. All of those who participated felt these trips were an invaluable experience during their training.

The residents from the University of Minnesota are very grateful for the opportunity Surgicorps has offered them.

I love medical missions! Being with skilled and like-minded, caring people last week in Zambia confirmed just how good it can be!

This was my 12th time to serve in surgery abroad. In many ways, Surgicorps Zambia was the best yet. DeNese and Lori anticipated all the needs of the entire team and made it appear easy which I know it was NOT! They were always kindly checking that every detail was covered.

Founder “Superman “Jack Demos offered his guidance and leadership. It is his vision of global health that provided us the opportunity to serve and perform at our best. His experience on over 90 missions in 22 countries is so inspiring! I thoroughly appreciated his rapport with the patients and their families, always genuine and professional. I’ll always remember him orchestrating two young girls, his former patients over the years, to take our group photo with his 35 mm digital camera.

There were several patients who really touched my heart. One was a brave young man named Philimon. I met Philimon in the afternoon of triage clinic. Like all other prospective patients he was thoughtful and respectful. One big difference was that he was well into his teen years. Philimon had his right hand contractured up onto his forearm after a candle caught the house on fire when he was just over two years old, or as they say in Zambia, age 30 months. He had already gone through several scar release surgeries and knew well the pain and suffering of postoperative healing. The team hesitated since Philimon had some quality of life. Seeing his disappointment, they went on to discuss, and then explain that technical approach along with the unknown outcome of this potential surgery to lower his hand.  Given all the possible complications Philimon had the trust to move ahead. I think of him now hoping he does well with improved function as well as more normal anatomy.

Thanks to all that made this mission possible.

Sincerely,

Jane Camero, RN

Hood River, Oregon