refining,
reimagining,
reaching further.
Annual Report 2024
Letter from the President
Five years into our journey, we find ourselves not at a finish line, but at a powerful turning point. The tools have grown smarter, the networks we have built are larger, but the most transformative force behind Ohana One’s work remains the same — the people.
From the surgeons we mentor to the communities we serve, the heart of Ohana One’s mission continues to be human connection. This year, we paused to reflect, refine, and recommit to building systems of care that start there.
In 2024, we reached further than ever before. Our Surgical Sight Program now operates in 52 countries, supporting 182 surgeons and impacting thousands of lives through mentorship and innovative technology. Our teams carried out surgical outreach missions in Mozambique and Uganda, launched training initiatives across the Dutch Caribbean and Greenland, and provided life-changing care right here at home in Los Angeles.
Whether performing Mozambique’s first successful free flap surgery, introducing smart glasses to practitioners in remote clinics, or celebrating the journey of a young patient like Erick — every story we share is proof that collaboration, compassion, and innovation can transcend borders.
The launch of the OO App in 2025 will bring that mission to your fingertips, creating a global hub for education, support, and connection. And with every call made, every surgery supported, and every partnership forged, we move closer to a world where geography no longer determines the quality of care.
I am deeply grateful for your continued support of the mission of Ohana One. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated donors, staff, volunteers, board members, and to our Executive Director, Marchelle Sellers, for their unending support, effort, and commitment to bringing small acts of kindness and hope to the world. Your belief in our vision fuels everything we do.
Thank you for being part of our Ohana.
With gratitude,
David Kulber
Co-Founder & Board President
Who We Are
Closing the Critical Surgical Gap
The lifetime impact of a surgeon in a low-income country has the potential to impact 400,000 patients. 1,000 mentees enrolled in our program could impact 400 million people worldwide, helping to close the surgical gap.
Education
Innovation
Partnerships
Every patient, every surgical professional is family, and no one is left behind.
MISSION
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.
VISION
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.
Our Impact
Since 2020, Ohana One has connected surgical mentors and mentees around the world through year-long remote training programs. With support from our NGO and hospital partners, these teams are building surgical skills, sharing knowledge, and transforming care—one connection at a time.
Surgeries improved through the Surgical Sight Program in 2024
Surgeons in the Surgical Sight Program
Hospitals where Ohana One introduced training technology
Countries reached with Ohana One program support
NGOs and INGOs supported and partnered with
Surgical specialties
Cardiothoracic Surgery • Colon & Rectal Surgery • General Surgery • Neurosurgery
Obstetrics & Gynecology • Occupational Therapy • Ophthalmology • Orthopedic Surgery
Otolaryngology • Pediatrics • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery • Urological Surgery
From Learner to Leader
Dr. Dimuthu Tennakoon Shares His Newfound ExpertiseDr. Dimuthu Tennakoon Shares His Newfound Expertise
Impact
Achieved personal training goals in the Surgical Sight Program and is now mentoring junior colleagues.
Why It Matters
A growing ripple effect—passing on advanced surgical skills to improve care across Sri Lanka.
Mentor
Dr. Maryse Bouchard
Mentee
Dr. Dimuthu Tennakoon
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Orthopedic Surgeon
Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children
Mastering the Ohana Mission
Dr. Jafrul Hannan Honors His MenteesDr. Jafrul Hannan Honors His Mentees
Dr. Jafrul Hannan, founder of HelloSurg and participant in the Ohana One Surgical Sight Program, honored four surgeons—Najeebullah Sherzad, Salman Saleem, Fatma Bchini, and Alamgir Hossain—for completing over 30 hours of pediatric laparoscopy training. Their dedication to mastering procedures like hernia repair, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and orchiopexy is inspiring. The skills gained through HelloSurg and Ohana One will help improve care for young patients and make a lasting impact in their communities.
Connecting Care Across Greenland
Bringing the Surgical Sight Program to Remote CommunitiesBringing the Surgical Sight Program to Remote Communities
Impact
Strengthened surgical skills, expanded global support network.
Why It Matters
Queen Ingrid’s Hospital serves all of Greenland, including its most remote regions.
Partners
Dr. Jeppe Lohfert Haslund-Vinding (Copenhagen) and Dr. Najannguaq (Nuuk)
Nuuk, Greenland
Neurosurgery
Queen Ingrid’s Hospital
Training Trip to the Dutch Caribbean
Empowering Island Teams With InnovationEmpowering Island Teams With Innovation
Impact
Expanded access to real-time surgical mentorship and training across four islands using smart technology.
Why It Matters
Improves patient care in remote settings and builds long-term surgical capacity.
Tech Used
TeleVU Smart View software, Vuzix Smart Glasses, smartphones and tablets
Partners
Dutch Caribbean Health Alliance
Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius
General Surgery
Curaçao Medical Center, Sint Maarten Medical Center, St. Eustatius Healthcare Foundation, and local clinics
Erick’s Journey of Hope and Healing
Helping at HomeHelping at Home
Living with Escobar Syndrome in Honduras, Erick needed spinal traction surgery—care unavailable at home. With support from his family, the Ohana One community, and Mission Manager Cristina Farrut, Erick received life-changing care at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. Now recovering with strength and hope, his story shows the power of compassionate care without borders.
Impact
Erick’s successful surgery gave him renewed mobility, improved health, and a future full of possibilities.
Why It Matters
His journey highlights the power of collaboration and the importance of making specialized care accessible.
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Orthopedic Surgery
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
The OO APP
The future of global surgical training is hereThe future of global surgical training is here
Global Access
The OO App connects surgeons worldwide, offering real-time support, training, and mentorship—especially for providers in remote or underserved areas.
All-in-One Platform
The app includes HIPAA-compliant messaging, video libraries, milestone tracking, scheduling tools, and integrations with technology partners.
Designed for Real-World Needs
Built with input from surgeons and mission teams, the app addresses real challenges in surgical training and global collaboration.
Mozambique
Surgical Outreach Trip
Ohana One’s August 2024 medical outreach trip to Mozambique was a remarkable journey of innovation and collaboration, focusing on reconstructive surgeries and immersive training for local medical professionals. Throughout the week, we compassionately treated both pediatric and adult patients with complex challenges. Highlights include performing the country’s very first functional free flap with the local surgeons, performing a series of intricate procedures ranging from microsurgery to burn and innovative pain management, facial reconstruction, contracture releases, and flap cases. Live training sessions also introduced microsurgery techniques and smart glasses technology.
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The team achieved Mozambique’s first successful free flap surgery on a 44-year-old electrician, performing a gracilis-to-forearm flap after a traumatic electrocution injury.
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Key Surgeries & Procedures: Microsurgery, Burn and Contracture Releases, Nasal Reconstructions, Breast Reduction, and Flap Surgeries.
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Ohana One trained local residents and surgeons in key reconstructive skills, including a microsurgery lab, breast reduction, smart glasses use, and nurse training.
Fast Facts
- Maputo, Mozambique
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
- Maputo Hospital
Total surgeries completed
Patients treated
Pounds of medical equipment hand-carried to the local hospital
Total amount of critical in-kind contributions
UGANDA
Surgical Outreach Trip
Uganda has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world, with just one doctor for every 25,000 people. In 2024, Ohana One partnered with Pipeline Worldwide and local healthcare providers to carry out a transformative surgical outreach trip—bringing specialized care to patients who would otherwise go without.
A team of 20 dedicated volunteers performed 38 life-changing reconstructive surgeries and 50 patient consultations, treating individuals from infancy to adulthood. Procedures included burn contracture releases, keloid removals, and hand reconstructions.
Beyond surgery, the team provided hands-on training to hospital staff in ultrasound, videolaryngoscopy, surgical prep, and post-operative care. They also introduced Smart Glasses technology, enabling real-time remote mentorship for long-term impact.
Adding a joyful touch, Ohana One’s Kiki the Clown—Carole Kulber—brought laughter and emotional support to patients and families, reminding everyone that healing is both physical and emotional.
Together, Ohana One and Pipeline Worldwide combined innovation, compassion, and collaboration to make a lasting impact—helping not only patients but also strengthening Uganda’s healthcare capacity for the future.
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Ohana One’s Peter Ronoh repaired the long-defunct C-Arm X-ray machine at Lacor Hospital, restoring a vital diagnostic tool.
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Key Surgeries & Procedures: Burn Contracture Releases, Keloid Removals, and Reconstructive Hand Surgeries.
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Training hospital staff on ultrasound, videolaryngoscopy, surgical prep, and Smart Glasses use for real-time learning and consultations.
Fast Facts
- Kampala, Gulu, and Moyo, Uganda
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
- St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor & Moyo Hospital
Total surgeries completed
Consultations with patients
Amount of medical equipment donated
Ohana One partnered with Pipeline Worldwide to bring advanced surgical care and training to Uganda, where access to specialists is critically limited. This partnership combined resources, expertise, and local collaboration to strengthen care where it’s needed most.
Partner Spotlight
Advancing Care Through Collaboration
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.
A Star-Trek Inspired Journey
For Dr. David Kulber, co-founder of Ohana One, a lifelong love of Star Trek has helped shape both his medical career and the mission behind his organization. A devoted fan of Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy, he was especially inspired by the character’s blend of compassion and cutting-edge medicine. Years later, Dr. Kulber had the unique honor of treating one of the head writers of Star Trek: Discovery—a full-circle moment for a fan who once met DeForest Kelley, the actor who played Dr. McCoy, just before starting medical school.
During their conversations, Dr. Kulber shared a lighthearted wish: to one day see a character named “Dr. Kulber” on the show. After filming wrapped, the writer returned with exciting news: “We took your idea one step further—the new doctor is named Dr. Culber.” The spelling was altered slightly, but the spirit of the tribute remained. And just like that, a piece of Dr. Kulber’s story became part of the Star Trek universe.
The connection didn’t end there. In a twist worthy of science fiction, the Roddenberry Foundation—created by Star Trek’s visionary founder Gene Roddenberry—became a proud supporter of Ohana One. Their commitment to innovative, human-centered solutions mirrors Ohana One’s mission to use smart technology to improve surgical care around the world. Together, Dr. Kulber, Ohana One, and the Roddenberry Foundation are carrying forward a legacy of compassion, innovation, and boldly going where no one has gone before in global health.
We’re more committed than ever to a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves access to world-class surgical care.
Every surgeon deserves the tools and training to deliver it. If you share that vision, make a tax-deductible gift to Ohana One and help transform lives through surgical care that knows no borders.
Financials
Our Team
Board of directors
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
Marshall Geller
Tom Gordon
Harry Levitt
Sharon Oreck
Bill Pope
Jay Roach
Advisors to the Board
Joyce Brandman
Michele Dee, MD, Co-Founder
Steve Diamond
Andrew Freedman, MD
Gracie Fermelia
Susan K. Laffer
Nick Loui
Edward Ray, MD
Sandra Rodriguez, RN
Pedro Santos, MD
Karissa Sharifian
Nuka Soloman
Volunteers
Kathy Selders
Caren Niewisch
Margie Wilson
Ohana Team
Marchelle Sellers, MBA
Executive Director
Grace Berglin*
Surgical Support Specialist
Maggie Bohlman
Marketing and Media
Jeanne Bray
Partnerships
Theodore Brown
Surgical Data Scientist
Rachel Buigas-Lopez
Graphic Designer
Sidra Bugsch
Office Administrator
Flávia Cavicchioli
Special Project Researcher
& Data Analyst
Jenny Davidson*
Development
Tarek Elshayal
Biomedical and Logistics Coordinator
Cristina Farrut*
Outreach Manager
Kelly Fogel
Photographer
Nikitha Garapaty
Research Intern
Megan McCullough, MD
Surgical Consultant
Bevin Metzger*
Grant Partner Success
Cecelia Ronoh*
African Field Coordinator
Peter Ronoh*
Technical Support & African Field Coordinator
Sara Stohl*
Communications and Content Coordinator
*New Team member in 2024
Welcoming Our New African Field Coordinators!
Peter Ronoh
Peter Ronoh, a Biomedical Engineer and founder of Molgen Scientific, joined Ohana One in October 2024. With deep expertise in critical care systems, Peter supports partner NGOs and advances surgical outreach across Sub-Saharan Africa through innovative tools like smart glasses. His mission is to reduce surgical disparities by empowering local teams with technology-driven solutions.
Cecilia Ronoh
Cecilia Ronoh, Co-Director of Molgen Scientific, joined Ohana One in November 2024 to lead efforts in expanding access to healthcare education through technology. She coordinates smart glasses programs, establishes virtual skills labs, and connects African medical students with global mentors, driving innovation and equity in low-resource communities.
For program inquiries: info@ohanaone.one