volunteer surgery

[Moore]

Does anyone know of an organization that supports volunteer, short-term general surgery in a needy country? For example, we'd like to do thyroidectomy's in India for 2 weeks. This is just an example, but I'm having a hard time finding an org. that does this short-term. Operation-smile is exactly what I need except it's mostly for plastic surgeons. I need one for general surgery. Can anyone help? Thank You

[MollyJ]

Try your church/temple or a church/temple that has a strong mission focus. I have known several docs and nurses that went on short term missions, but you will want to use an organization that has "infrastructure" in place before you get there, otherwise you'll spend a lot of time getting started.

Network with other doctors & nurses who have done medical missionary work and I'm sure they can get you on more mailing lists than you can shake a stick at. I have always worked in mid to large sized communities and there is always at least a few docs and nurses that are periodically doing medical missionary work.

good luck. By the way, the poor of America can also benefit from missionary efforts. Go to your local "free" clinic and offer to do one or two cases a year and waive your surgical fee. That'll be instant gratification....