Five billion people lack access to surgery. Even if the change would be infinitesimally small, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Peter Daly and his wife LuLu, a pediatric nurse, resolved to help lower that figure when they volunteered at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a Honduran children’s home, in 2003.
In addition to children, Dr. Daly treated anyone who visited the converted semi trailer that served as his clinic. The orthopedic surgeon hadn’t imagined the need for his care would be small. Even so, he was unnerved by what he witnessed.
“Imagine you were in a car accident,” Dr. Daly explained. “You have open wounds, and a terrible compound fracture in your leg. If you go to the hospital in the U.S., you would receive emergency and follow-up care. If you do the same thing in Honduras, then the best you might hope for is amputation.
“An inexcusable number of people face decisions like that every day. And they won’t suffer alone. They’ll become dependent on their families, which only perpetuates the cycle of misery and poverty that racks developing nations.”
Upon returning to Minnesota, the Dalys shared their experience with Summit Orthopedics: the specialty practice Dr. Daly works for, which provides comprehensive musculoskeletal care at nearly 30 clinics throughout the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. Dr. Daly’s team members recognized an opportunity to change lives – and, by extension, the world – through the power of surgery. After four years of concerted intercontinental effort between Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, Summit Orthopedics, and Surgical Care Affiliates, One World Surgery was born. Today it serves people living in Honduras and the Dominican Republic.
“Our goal isn’t to turn this into a franchise,” said Dr. Daly. “It’s to maintain our two existing facilities’ standard of care, and continue growing their presence in the communities they serve. These facilities operate year round thanks not just to our own volunteers, but to the local staff who are so essential to our efforts.”
Orthopedics isn’t One World Surgery’s sole focus. Their clinics also offer gynecology, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, urology and general surgery.
“We had to diversify to meet our patients’ vast surgical needs,” explained Beckie Hines, COO of Summit Orthopedics. “For example, we recently treated a man with a large and rapidly spreading growth on his face. He had already visited the local hospital, which required him to pay for the supplies for his surgical procedure. He and his daughter managed to scrape together the money – only to get robbed by a gang on their way to the hospital.
“One World Surgery was that man’s last chance. The general surgeon on site was daunted by his case at first. But after many hours of research and consulting with plastic surgeons in the U.S., he was able to successfully remove the growth. I’ll never forget the moment when the patient and his daughter hugged that surgeon – a fleeting gesture, but one that illustrated the hope One World Surgery creates on a daily basis.”
“Whatever their roles might be, everyone at Summit Orthopedics pursued a career in healthcare for the same reason,” added Dr. Daly. “We want to help people. Unfortunately, it’s easy to lose sight of that goal while you’re working in the U.S., where there are so many regulations and time constraints. Although One World Surgery strictly adheres to the highest standards of care, it lets us practice the purest form of medicine; a prevailing sense of duty toward others, and constant opportunities to act on it.”
“It can be very challenging,” said Peggy Gustafson, director of nursing for Summit Orthopedics. “I can’t tell you how many times we’ve all had to put our heads together and come up with creative solutions. We often have to make instruments and implants work for treatments they weren’t designed for. But at the end of the day, I’m always grateful – not just for the privilege of helping people in need, but for the chance to continually hone our skills as well.”
“Volunteering abroad is about losing yourself in service,” said Andrea Bien, liaison for Summit Orthopedics and One World Surgery. “It’s about being your authentic self, giving back to others, and forming lifelong friendships with the people you’re privileged to help.
“We recognize that many will never experience that joy firsthand, but anyone can support our mission. That’s why we welcome you to celebrate One World Surgery’s 20th anniversary gala on Sunday, October 5th at the InterContinental Minneapolis. Please visit oneworldsurgery.org/gala to learn more!”
"One World Surgery's mission has become the heartbeat of Summit Orthopedics."
“Volunteering abroad is about losing yourself in service."