Kenya 2025
Building Capacity and Changing Lives
The August 2025 Kenya Surgical Outreach Trip brought together international and local teams to provide advanced reconstructive care, perform over thirty life-changing surgeries, and deliver specialized training across multiple hospitals and at the Mombasa Plastic Surgery Conference. The trip reflected Ohana One’s commitment to sustainable surgical partnership and celebrated Kenya’s remarkable growth in training the next generation of plastic surgeons.
Our Work
The August 2025 Kenya Surgical Outreach Trip brought together an international team of medical professionals and local partners to deliver advanced reconstructive and hand surgeries, strengthen regional surgical capacity, and provide specialized training across multiple hospitals. More than thirty life-changing procedures were completed at CURE Kenya, AIC Kijabe Hospital, and Kenyatta National Hospital, helping both children and adults with congenital, burn-related, and traumatic conditions.
In addition to direct patient care, the team served as faculty at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Conference in Mombasa, sharing expertise and building lasting connections with colleagues from across East and Central Africa. The mission reflected Ohana One’s collaborative model of surgical partnership, combining expert hands-on training, smart technology, and compassionate care to create sustainable global health impact.
Kenya’s progress in the field of plastic surgery is remarkable. Just 10 to 15 years ago, there were fewer than five plastic surgeons in the entire country. Today, Kenya has a vibrant professional society and is training 37 future plastic surgeons, 33 in Nairobi and 4 in Kijabe, including surgeons from other regions across Africa. Ohana One was honored to support and celebrate this incredible growth.
Beyond Surgical Success
Training and Collaboration
- Live surgical mentorship for residents in reconstructive techniques
- Functional anatomy and flap design lectures
- Hands-on training in tissue expansion and wound management
Nursing
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Led by Sandra Rodriguez, RN, and Kathleen Osborn, RN, EdD
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Delivered lectures on burn management and wound care
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Provided bedside teaching and hands-on guidance
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Emphasized effective communication in patient care
Rehab and Therapy
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Led by Marlon Labot
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Trained occupational therapists in splinting techniques
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Introduced adaptive therapy methods
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Focused on supporting effective post-surgical recovery
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Conference – Mombasa
- August 27–29, 2025
- Dr. David Kulber and Dr. Pedro Santos served as faculty, sharing their expertise with regional and international peers.
- Dr. Kulber presented on autologous fat grafting in the upper extremity, emerging indications for its use, and functional outcomes of meniscal allograft interposition arthroplasty of the hand, along with insights into global advancements in hand surgery and surgical education.
- Dr. Santos contributed sessions on hand surgery, facial aesthetics, and innovation in surgical training within global surgery contexts.
Partners
A warm thank you to all of our donors and partners for making this surgical outreach program successful!
- CURE Kenya: Nine pediatric patients received reconstructive surgeries for contractures, congenital deformities, and post-burn injuries.
- AIC Kijabe Hospital: Known for its strong teaching programs, Kijabe hosted the team for two intensive surgical days and bedside training sessions. Surgeons and residents collaborated on complex reconstructive cases, focusing on flap reconstructions and tissue expansion techniques.
- Kenyatta National Hospital: At Kenya’s national referral hospital, the team worked alongside local surgeons in high-volume operating sessions and lectures. Smart Glasses demonstrations facilitated real-time mentorship for surgical residents, enhancing remote education capacity.
- Mentor: Tissue Expanders
- MAP: Sutures
- MTF Biologics: Healing Hero Bear Kits and Allografts
- Polynovo: Synthetic Skin Substitutes
- Zimmer Biomet: Dermatome Blades and Meshgraft Machines
- Direct Relief: Medical Supplies
- Checkpoint Surgical: Guardian Nerve Stimulators
- Samuel Poore: 3D Microscope
- University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences
- Molgen Scientific
- Kenya Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery
- Ministry of Health, Kenya
Continued Support
The Kenya Surgical Outreach Program showcased the power of long-term partnership, with 39 patients screened and treated across three major hospitals and advanced reconstructive procedures performed for burn contractures, congenital differences, and trauma. Beyond the immediate impact, the team provided mentorship in microvascular and nerve repair, introduced Smart Glasses for real-time tele-mentoring, and led collaborative training for surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and therapists. This mission reflects Ohana One’s ongoing commitment to Kenya—supporting its growing surgical workforce with continued training, remote guidance, and future in-person collaborations. Through sustained education, smart technology, and strong local partnerships, Ohana One will continue helping Kenya expand its surgical capacity and improve patient care for years to come.
This surgical outreach mission was a reminder that healing goes far beyond the operating room — it’s a matter of restoring dignity, hope, and possibility. I’m especially proud that our team was not only able to see patients, but also to share knowledge with local providers so that the impact will be felt long after we’re gone.
Marlon Labot, OT