Volunteer Surgical Program
Thank you for your interest regarding Esperança’s Volunteer Surgical Program. We have been sending volunteer surgery teams to Bolivia since 2001 to serve the poor, whose surgical needs would otherwise go untreated.
An average of ten surgical teams travel to Bolivia each year as volunteers with our program. Currently, we send only general surgeons, gynecological surgeons, plastic surgeons, ophthalmic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons (including pediatric), and urology surgeons. A surgical team consists of the lead surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and an OR nurse or tech. The lead surgeon usually assembles their own team, but we may also have volunteers to match up with a surgeon. All volunteers must be currently licensed professionals, in good standing with their licensing board.
We have partnered staff in Bolivia (Esperanza/Bolivia) as well as the assistance of local physicians who volunteer their time to our volunteer surgical mission program. Surgical trips are scheduled anywhere from two months to two years in advance. The team typically operates 5-10 full days and makes presentations to the medical residents and local physicians a few evenings during their stay. The duration of the trip is dictated by surgical specialty and the lead surgeon’s availability (either one or two weeks of surgery); volunteers should allow for a minimum of two days of travel on the outbound and return.
Volunteers are responsible for their air travel, incidentals, and gathering surgical supplies. Esperança pays for food and lodging while volunteers are at the project site, and associated costs for the surgeries (facility, lab work, medication, etc).
Below are some materials with information and details about our Program in Bolivia. If you are interested in volunteering or have additional questions, please contact Christina Araiza, Program Director, by email at Christina@esperanca.org or 602-252-7772 ext. 11.
Thank you again for your interest in Esperança’s volunteer surgical program!
Update: We are planning to expand surgical program to our project site in Nicaragua in 2009. Please check back for more information!
Attention: Due to the limited size and scope of our program, we are unable to accommodate other medical practitioners, lay people, and students at this time.
