In June 2026, our team with Surgical Volunteers International will travel to Huế, Vietnam to deliver essential reconstructive surgical care to patients with limited access to specialized treatment. The mission will focus on addressing congenital and acquired conditions, including cleft lip and palate, hand anomalies, undescended testicles, and deformities resulting from trauma. In addition to direct patient care, we will work alongside physicians and trainees at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, fostering a collaborative environment centered on shared learning, surgical technique exchange, and capacity building. This initiative aims to provide both immediate clinical impact and meaningful professional collaboration that supports ongoing improvements in care.
The mission is designed to serve children and young adults in central Vietnam who face significant barriers to accessing reconstructive surgical services. Many patients come from underserved communities where specialized care is either unavailable or financially out of reach. These conditions often lead to functional limitations, social stigma, and reduced long-term opportunities if left untreated. We are committed to supporting this population because timely surgical intervention can dramatically alter life trajectories, and partnering with a trusted local institution ensures that care is both impactful and appropriately integrated into the existing healthcare system.
This mission will result in immediate improvements in patients’ physical function, appearance, and overall quality of life through safe and effective surgical interventions. Equally important, the collaboration with local providers will help strengthen surgical knowledge, refine techniques, and encourage continued development within the host institution. Insights gained from this experience—including clinical decision-making in resource-variable settings and effective international collaboration—will inform future missions and contribute to ongoing program development within our organization. The broader goal is to create lasting value that extends beyond a single mission through sustained partnerships and shared expertise.
The Doximity Foundation’s generous support allowed me to participate in a humanitarian surgical mission to Huế, Vietnam, where our volunteer team partnered with Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy to provide reconstructive surgical care for children and adults with complex congenital and acquired conditions.
Throughout the week, I had the privilege of caring for patients whose conditions had affected nearly every aspect of their daily lives. Many children were born with cleft lip and palate deformities that made feeding, speech development, and social acceptance difficult. Others suffered from burn contractures, congenital hand differences, and ear deformities that limited both function and confidence. For many families, specialized reconstructive surgery was simply beyond their financial reach or unavailable within their region.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the mission was caring for very young children and witnessing the profound hope that surgery brought to their families. Parents who had spent months or years worrying about their child’s future left the hospital with renewed optimism and gratitude. It was a powerful reminder that reconstructive surgery is not simply about restoring anatomy—it is about restoring opportunity, dignity, and quality of life.
Our team worked closely with Vietnamese surgeons, residents, medical students, nurses, and anesthesiologists throughout the mission. Rather than simply providing care, we shared techniques, discussed treatment strategies, and learned from one another through a true spirit of collaboration. These educational exchanges are among the most meaningful and sustainable outcomes of humanitarian missions because they strengthen local capacity long after international volunteers have returned home.
In addition to providing direct surgical care, our organization donated medications, surgical instruments, medical equipment, and hospital supplies that will continue supporting patient care throughout the year. We also had the opportunity to visit a local orphanage, where we provided educational supplies and electric bicycles to help children travel to school, reinforcing our belief that improving health also means investing in education and community well-being.
The Doximity Foundation’s travel support made it possible for me to participate in this mission. By helping physicians reach underserved communities, you are enabling meaningful partnerships, expanding access to specialized surgical care, and changing the lives of patients and families who otherwise might never receive these opportunities. I am sincerely grateful for your investment in humanitarian medicine and for making experiences like this possible.
