As an anesthesia resident with the Milwaukee Medical Mission, I am excited to provide anesthetic care for a range of life-changing surgeries at the Hospital Universitario de Santander in Bucaramanga, Colombia. These surgeries include cleft lip and palate repairs, finger and toe separations and reconstructions, facial and ear reconstructions, cranial defect repairs, and prosthetic eye placements for children and adults who otherwise lack access to such procedures.
In my role, I will conduct preoperative assessments, provide anesthetic care during surgery, and monitor patients perioperatively—all while adapting to the unique challenges of working in a low-resource setting. Moreover, I will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and occupational and physical therapists to provide the highest standard of care despite limited resources. This experience will deepen my understanding of the challenges healthcare providers face in underserved regions, particularly in pediatric anesthesia, where many patients have never received adequate medical care.
Beyond clinical care, I look forward to engaging with local healthcare providers and collaborating with physicians from other U.S. institutions to share best practices to improve patient care. This mission will significantly enhance my cultural competence, adaptability, and communication skills, which are qualities essential for addressing global health disparities.
By participating in this mission, I will help to improve the lives of children and adults facing lifelong physical and social challenges. I am committed to learning from this experience and using those lessons to advance safe, equitable anesthesia care both locally and globally.
The primary beneficiaries of the Milwaukee Medical Mission are underserved populations in Colombia, particularly children and adults in need of specialized surgeries. These procedures are essential for improving both the physical and social quality of life for patients who have lived with congenital conditions, traumatic injuries, or deformities but would otherwise not have access to such life-changing surgeries.
Since its inception in 1986, the mission has been providing critical medical care in rural and resource-limited areas of Latin America, where access to these surgeries is often unavailable. Many of these patients face not only physical challenges but also social stigma and limited opportunities due to untreated conditions. By providing these essential surgeries, the mission enables individuals to regain functionality, improve their appearance, and reintegrate into society with greater confidence.
In 2025, our mission provided reconstructive care to 65 pediatric and adult patients at the Hospital Universitario de Santander in Bucaramanga, Colombia. In addition to benefiting patients directly, our mission also strengthens the local healthcare community. Local healthcare providers gain valuable skills and knowledge through collaboration with U.S. medical professionals, which enhances their ability to deliver high-quality care in the future. This educational exchange ensures that the mission’s impact extends beyond immediate surgical procedures, fostering long-term improvements in healthcare delivery.
Through its decades of service, the Milwaukee Medical Mission has made a lasting difference in the lives of patients and healthcare providers in Colombia. By continuing our work, the mission contributes to better health outcomes, increased social integration, and a stronger, more resilient healthcare system in the region.
Our trip helped a total 69 children and adults living with congenital conditions or injuries that affect their health, appearance, and ability to function, delivering life-changing reconstructive care to people who otherwise would have limited or no access to specialized surgery.
