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children evaluated

life-changing procedures

days of surgical programming

Guatemala 2026

Expanding Access to Life-Changing Pediatric Care

In May 2026, Ohana One partnered with the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center in Guatemala City to provide specialized pediatric urology and reconstructive plastic surgery for children and adolescents from across Guatemala. Over five days, volunteer physicians, anesthesiologists, medical professionals, and support staff worked alongside the Moore Center team to deliver life-changing surgical care, strengthen local partnerships, and support long-term patient outcomes. This multidisciplinary outreach trip brought together a shared commitment to ensuring children have access to high-quality surgical care regardless of geography or financial circumstance.

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Patient Spotlight

Cristian Emmanuel Pérez Bin

 

Cristian Emmanuel Pérez Bin is a 16-month-old child from Pachalum, Quiché, born with hypospadias who required specialized pediatric urologic surgery that was not readily accessible to his family due to financial and transportation barriers in their rural community. Through the partnership between Ohana One and the Moore Center, he received corrective surgery and the opportunity for a healthier future, with his family sharing, “For families like us who come from far away, this help means everything,” and, “From the first moment, you can feel the love.” He continues to receive follow-up care at the Moore Center, where post-operative swelling and a small proximal fistula have been identified, and he remains under close monitoring as his care team supports his ongoing recovery and long-term needs.

Patient Spotlight

Arleth Evangeline Cruz Recinos

 

At age five, Arleth suffered severe burns over approximately 63% of her body when her dress caught fire. The injury required intensive treatment and resulted in significant scarring and mobility challenges. During the trip, she received treatment to address burn scar contractures, improving comfort, movement, and long-term recovery. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing often extends far beyond the initial injury and requires sustained care and support.

Our Work

Over five days at the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center in Guatemala City, Ohana One partnered with local providers to deliver specialized pediatric urology and reconstructive plastic surgery care to children from across Guatemala. The team evaluated 127 children, with 60 receiving surgery in three operating rooms running simultaneously. Patients, ranging from 5 months to 17 years old, traveled from communities across the country to access care that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

The multidisciplinary team treated a wide range of congenital urologic and reconstructive conditions, helping restore function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life. Beyond surgery, the mission emphasized collaboration with Guatemalan providers and coordinated long-term follow-up through the Moore Center, ensuring children continue to receive care after returning home.

The mission also included the launch of the Ohana One Innovation Lab, where the team explored emerging technologies to support future surgical training and global collaboration.

Innovation Lab

As part of its commitment to advancing surgical education through innovation, Ohana One launched its first Innovation Lab at the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center. The initiative brought together the Ohana One and Moore Center teams to test and evaluate several emerging technologies that may enhance future training, mentorship, and surgical collaboration efforts. Among the tools explored were the Vave portable ultrasound system, new swing-arm mounting technology, multiple camera configurations, and refinements to how both the TeleVU technology suite and Help Lightning augmented reality technology are used. Clinicians, educators, and technical specialists worked side by side to assess functionality, usability, and real-world applications within the clinical environment.

The Innovation Lab proved to be a tremendous success, generating valuable insights into both new and existing technologies while fostering collaboration and creativity around how these tools can be used to improve surgical training and patient care worldwide.

Patient Spotlight

Bephany Elizabeth Gomez Rivera

 

At age five, Bephany survived a severe dog attack that caused significant facial injuries and required intensive medical care. Over the years, she has undergone multiple reconstructive procedures to support her recovery. During this trip, the surgical team performed lower eyelid reconstruction and skin grafting to improve both function and appearance. For Bephany and her family, the surgery represented far more than a medical procedure—they described the opportunity as “a blessing.”

Patient Spotlight

Michael Misael Muyuc Maldonado

 

Twelve-year-old Michael traveled nearly five hours from San Lorenzo, Suchitepéquez, to Guatemala City to seek care for hypospadias, a condition that had caused recurring infections and complications, with treatment previously out of reach due to financial and transportation barriers. Through the Moore Center, he received successful corrective surgery and has shown positive recovery, including catheter removal and continued healing at follow-up visits. He remains in ongoing care with additional follow-up scheduled later this year, underscoring the importance of access to specialized surgery and sustained follow-up for children in rural communities.

Partners

This mission was made possible through the generosity of partners and donors who provided supplies, equipment, travel support, and resources.

Special thanks to:

  • Children’s Burn Foundation
    Americares
  • MAP International
  • MTF Biologics
  • Doximity
  • Moore Surgery Center

This surgical outreach trip would not have been possible without the leadership and partnership of the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center and its dedicated staff.

The Moore Center coordinated patient recruitment, scheduling, clinical support, follow-up care, and family services, ensuring children received comprehensive care before, during, and after surgery.

Follow-Up and Outcomes

The Moore Center continues to provide follow-up care for patients treated during the mission.

Early follow-up data demonstrates overwhelmingly positive outcomes.
Among documented urology patients:

  • Most achieved successful healing and recovery.
  • Many cases have already been closed following positive outcomes.
  • Patients who require additional monitoring continue to receive care through the Moore Center.
  • Complications have been limited and are being actively managed through ongoing follow-up.

These outcomes reflect not only the quality of surgical care provided during the mission, but also the strength of the long-term partnership between Ohana One and the Moore Center.

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