2023 Annual Report
Uplift
Dear Ohana One Community
I am pleased to introduce the 2023 Annual Report, a testament to Ohana One’s strides in advancing surgical care worldwide in alignment with our mission and vision.
Throughout the year, our endeavors thrived. We proudly released the award winning documentary “10,000 Mile Bridge,” showcasing our impactful work in Mozambique, where we fostered surgical education and collaboration through mentorship and technical assistance.
Additionally, we conducted three webinars highlighting our esteemed partners and our collaborative efforts globally.Our presence at conferences furthered our mission, allowing us to spotlight Ohana One’s work and forge valuable partnerships.
Central to our ethos, mentorship remains pivotal. Our innovative Surgical Sight Program seamlessly integrates mentorship with state-of-the-art technology, revolutionizing the global exchange of surgical skills. In 2023, this program expanded to 52 countries, benefiting 182 surgeons and directly impacting over 2,600 individuals.
Our commitment to mental wellness for surgeons persists, with ongoing development based on direct feedback from practitioners worldwide.
Furthermore, our in-person mission to Mozambique underscored our dedication to empowering communities and building sustainable surgical capacity. This immersive experience reinforced our resolve to champion accessible healthcare globally.
As we move forward, guided by our mission to establish sustainable surgical training programs and our vision for a world where every surgeon has equitable access to advanced training and resources, we are grateful for the support of our donors, volunteers, and the entire Ohana One family. Your belief in our vision fuels our success.
Warm regards,
David Kulber
David Kulber, MD
President, Ohana One Board of Directors
Ohana One’s mission is to establish long-term sustainable surgical training programs utilizing mentorship relationships and advanced technology to elevate and expand safe surgical care in resource-scarce locations.
In 2023…
patients benefitted from Ohana One training
teams of mentor/mentee pairs coordinated with surgical education support within the program
calls completed using Ohana One supported technology
countries reached with Ohana One program support
hospitals where Ohana One introduced surgical training technology
NGOs supported and partnered with to bring surgical education across the globe
Surgeons trained in 9 surgical specialties
Plastics + Reproductive
OBGYN
Urology
Neurosurgery
General + Colorectal
Orthopedics
Cardiothoratic
Otolaryngology
Opthalmology
The Ten Thousand Mile Bridge
Closing the Surgical Gap in Sub-Saharan Africa
![documentary 01](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/documentary-01-scaled.webp)
The Ohana One documentary is more than just a film; it is a call to action. The title of the documentary is The Ten Thousand Mile Bridge: Closing the Surgical Gap in sub Saharan Africa. The filmmakers behind this powerful project wanted to bring attention to a critical problem while showcasing the solution. Their mission was clear – to raise awareness, engage the audience, and expose them to the healthcare crisis unfolding in Mozambique.
The real stories captured in the documentary are profoundly moving, compelling viewers to be agents of change. Witnessing the frustrations and resilience of the local doctors struggling within a resource-strapped system is both humbling and awe-inspiring. These surgeons and those supporting them never give up their fight to make a difference.
As the camera pans through the hospital, the stark reality becomes evident. Mold-covered walls, empty shelves, and a severe shortage of nurses underscore the lack of adequate medical care. There are no doctors making house calls, and patients endure painful procedures without anesthesia. The economic challenges and limited access to surgical intervention paint a distressing picture. But in the face of adversity, Ohana One offers a solution – training local doctors through technology.
With abundant footage, the team had various directions they could have taken. Still, they were guided by a shared goal – to focus on Ohana One’s mission of empowering local doctors and creating first-hand experiences with patients. The film needed to be a platform that puts the spotlight on the people in Mozambique, the doctors, and the patients, emphasizing the true essence of the mission.
They also wanted the documentary to highlight the impact of mentorship and technology. Dr. Kulber, an incredibly dedicated surgeon, embodies the essence of the film’s message. By combining his compassionate heart with the power of technology, he can accelerate his mission and make a more significant impact.
The documentary aims to inspire people to invest in modern techniques of education, mentorship, and learning while educating them about the critical shortage of surgeons worldwide. The goal is to tackle seemingly insurmountable problems by promoting efficient solutions and technology for the betterment of humanity.
In the end, the Ohana One documentary carries a powerful message – that challenges can be overcome when good people with good intentions come together, supported by the marvels of technology. The world can be a better place, and together, we can make a difference. Let’s imagine a future where technology meets humanity, transforming lives and empowering communities worldwide.
![documentary 02](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/documentary-02-scaled.webp)
Launch Party
“The Ten Thousand Mile Bridge: Closing the Surgical Gap in Sub-Saharan Africa,” delivers a profound message: that obstacles can be surmounted when compassionate individuals unite, bolstered by the wonders of technology. It reminds us that the world holds the potential for improvement, and collectively, we can enact change. Filmed and directed by board members Jay Roach, Sharon Oreeck, and Bill Pope, the documentary debuted at celebration and screening at the home of Steven and Jo Fogel. With over 100 supporters present, and introduction by Annette Bening, and a noteworthy appearance by Dr. Pedro Santos, the event was a resounding success.
WEBINARS
CONFERENCES
AI Med Conference
Ohana One ’s booth hosts, Cristina Farrut, Sidra Bugsch, Jeanne Bray, Susan Popler and partner host, Farbod Abolhassani from TeleVU were able to attend keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and presentations on topics such as medical imaging, diagnostics, predictive analytics, personalized medicine, and more.
GMHC Conference
Ohana One’s booth captivated visitors with interactive learning experiences, featuring hands-on assembly of a plastic skull and a suturing station, while the highlight was mentor/mentee simulation demonstrations led by Executive Director Marchelle Sellers, Medical Missions Manager Cristina Farrut, and Partnership Manager
Jeanne Bray.
GASOC Conference
Ohana One was honored to be a Silver Sponsor at the prestigious GASOC conference. The conference provided a unique platform for Dr. Michele Dee to share the mission of Ohana One and our innovative partnerships with Vuzix and TeleVU. This event brought together approximately 350 delegates from 49 online and in-person countries, with over 400 attendees.
Mission Trip in Mozambique
Our Work
Our team was made of 7 medical volunteers, 4 documentary filmmaking volunteers, and 5 non-medical volunteers. We operated in 3 hospitals in Mozambique. Our team worked tirelessly to provide complex surgery to 15 children and adults, worked in the burn unit for inpatient care, and at the same time provided training to the local doctors, nurses and residents.
We took every opportunity to teach in the Operating Room and the burn unit, and lead multiple journal clubs with the plastic surgery residents and surgeons, and formal educational teaching sessions. We saw approximately 80 patients during our mission week. We are proud to announce that we were able to hand-carry the first Starlink Satellite Wifi to the country of Mozambique. This is one of the first starlinks to be deployed to the entire continent of Africa, and the very first starlink to be deployed dedicated to surgical training and education in the world!
Team
Our team consisted of volunteer surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologist, physical therapist, nurses, and PAs operated at 3 hospitals; Maputo Central Hospital, the Maputo private hospital, and Matola Provincial Hospital to maximize our time in the country. We performed life-saving and limb-salvaging surgeries from release of burn contracture releases of the extremities, expansive burn debridements, post traumatic eye reconstructive surgeries, nasolabial/columella flap reconstructions after cancer, complex hand mass excisions, tissue expander placements for multi-stage facial reconstructions, and numerous debridements and skin grafts for burn patients.
At the same time, the nursing and physical therapist team provide training in person such as wound debridements, dressing changes, wound care, splint application, sepsis and shock education, and post surgical care education at the hospitals. By the end of our trip, the local medical trainees were able to perform most of the procedures on their own.
Our team included: Dr. David Kulber, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Michele Dee, Anesthesiologist with Cedars-Sinai, Kylie Tanabe, Physician Assistant-Plastic Surgery, Sandra Rodriguez, Registered Nurse, Nia Mesah, Physical Therapist, Katie Osborn, Registered Nurse and Kim Souza, Hand Surgery fellow.
Patient Highlight
Niyara
This little girl is 7 years old and was born with a mass on her palm. Over the years it has grown rapidly in size to the point of being the size of a baseball. She couldn’t use her hand because every time it would rub against something it would open up and grow even larger.
Due to the complexity of the case with it being a vascular tumor, she hadn’t had it operated on. But with the help of the smart glasses, Dr. Pedro and Dr. Kulber were able to operate on her together and finally have the mass completely removed! During follow-up with the smart glasses, she is doing amazing and now has full function of her hand to be able to play, write, and be a kid again! We were able to use the donated MTF cadaveric dermis tissue during her surgery, which ended up completely healing her hand without the need of a skin graft, and without any contracture!!
Partners
We received $711,076 in in-kind donations for supplies and equipment we used during the mission.
Thank you to MTF Biologics for donating cell dressings which drastically expedite healing for burn victims.
We also appreciate InvinciKids for helping introduce VR solutions to our surgical missions and beyond.
Our partners ReSurge and Health Collaboration Center helped make this mission possible.
![mission-partners](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mission-partners.webp)
Continued Support
Ohana One is dedicated to sustainable year-round continuation of training of medical knowledge, and surgical training. During our time in Mozambique, we conducted daily educational sessions with formal presentations, journal clubs and training in hand and plastic surgery. It is important to continue this training, and the deployment of the Starlink Satellite will provide much-needed reliable wifi to the residents and surgeons in the hospital, something that they did not have previously.
After the mission, Ohana one continues to provide journal clubs and live-surgery training with the help of the Starlink wifi, and the smart glasses.
We even started a research project titled: “Analgesic use of Virtual Reality for Burn Dressing changes in Low/Middle Income Countries”-17 patients. This looked at pre-dressing pain scales with and without the use of virtual reality glasses. We continue to work on this for publication post-mission. We are so thankful to all our donors, sponsors and partners who were part of this mission and helped us provide training, resources and surgical care to the people of Mozambique.
Patient Highlight
Lilliana
Lilliana is four years old with lots of spirit! She unfortunately grabbed ahold of exposed electrical wires, which burnt her hand and fingers. Due to the lack of burn care, her fingers ended up fusing into a syndactyly. This is a difficult operation that has a lot of possible adverse outcomes. However, we were able to work with Dr. Pedro and teach great techniques that have excellent results. We were able to separate her fingers, and she has full function again!
PARTNERSHIPS
Ohana One’s partnerships are vital in fulfilling our mission to establish long-term sustainable surgical training programs. By collaborating with hospitals, NGOs, and businesses, we harness a wide range of expertise and resources that directly contribute to Ohana One’s ability to provide mentorship and utilize advanced technology. These partnerships provide innovative educational tools and techniques to surgeons in resource-scarce locations, ensuring they receive continuous training and support. This collaborative effort not only expands access to safe surgical care but also fosters a global network of shared knowledge and mutual support, empowering local communities to elevate their healthcare standards sustainably.
From Mentee to Mentor
Dr. Pedro Santos
Dr. Pedro Santos’ life took a significant turn when he crossed paths with Dr. David Kulber, whose mentorship became pivotal in shaping Dr. Santos’ career trajectory. Initially, the mentorship only happened when Dr. Kulber traveled to Mozambique.
With the introduction of smart glass technology, Dr. Santos found a means to continue his educational journey, even after Dr. Kulber physically left Mozambique. Their collaborative efforts not only transformed Dr. Santos’ professional life but also served as the inspiration that led to the establishment of Ohana One. Dr. Santos’ professional journey underscores the profound impact of mentorship and technology in empowering dedicated and skilled surgeons facing resource constraints. Under Dr. Kulber’s mentorship, Dr. Santos has honed his skills and cultivated a deep sense of support and confidence. As a result, Dr. Santos has grown his expertise and is now mentoring three residents. Dr. Santos is contributing significantly to the advancement of surgical expertise in Mozambique and beyond as a result of the training and support he has received.
Our vision for the future is a world where every surgeon has equitable access to advanced surgical training, mentorship, innovative technology, well-being programs, and educational resources.
LOOKING AHEAD
![looking](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/looking.webp)
![looking-2](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/looking-2.webp)
Continue to invest in a network of surgeons to build a sustainable and connected global surgical community.
![looking-3](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/looking-3.webp)
Utilize new and established technology to bridge the gap between these surgical professionals, thereby reducing distance as the primary barrier to year-round training.
Financials
![OO Annual 2024 - Revenue](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OO-Annual-2024-Revenue.webp)
![OO Annual 2024 - Expenses](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OO-Annual-2024-Expenses.webp)
Team
Board of directors
Michele Dee, MD, Immediate Past President & Co-Founder
David Kulber, MD, President & Co-Founder
Kylie Tanabe, PA-C, Co-Founder
Adrian Ashkenazy, Vice President
Susan K. Laffer, Treasurer
Jennifer Bepple, MD
Aaron Bregman
Gracie Fermelia
Marshall Geller
Tom Gordon
Harry Levitt
Sharon Oreck
Garry Pearson
Bill Pope
Jay Roach
Sandra Rodriguez, RN
Karissa Sharifian
Rob Uhlaner
Advisors to the Board
Joyce Brandman
Andrew Freedman, MD
Ohana Team
Marchelle Sellers, MBA
Grace Berglin
Maggie Bohlman
Jeanne Bray
Theodore Brown
Sidra Bugsch
Rachel Buigas-Lopez
Flávia Cavicchioli
Megan Demijohn
Tarek Elshayal
Cristina Farrut
Nikitha Garapaty
Megan McCullough, MD
Bevin Metzger
Kamala Pillai
Susan Popler
Edward Ray, MD
Marvee Turk, MD
Eva Williams, MD
Photographs by Kelly Fogel
Partner companies
![2023-partners-companies](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-partners-companies-1.jpg)
Partner NGOS
![2023-partners](https://ohanaone.one/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-partners.jpg)
For program inquiries: [email protected]