UGANDA 2025
Restoring Function and Hope
This surgical outreach mission to Uganda was dedicated to expanding access to safe, reconstructive surgical care for patients with limited resources. The team worked at Moyo General Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (Lacor), performing 50 surgeries over six intensive days, along with daily post-operative rounds to ensure continuity of care. Treated conditions included burn injuries, congenital differences, traumatic injuries, tumor removals, and debilitating contractures. The mission was carried out in partnership with Pipeline Worldwide and featured a coordinated burn patient transfer and care model made possible through collaboration among multiple organizations, including Ohana One, Pipeline Worldwide, ReSurge, PolyNovo, and MTF Biologics.
Our Work
This surgical outreach mission expanded access to reconstructive surgical care for patients with limited resources in northern Uganda. The team worked at Moyo General Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (Lacor), performing 50 surgeries over six intensive days with daily post-operative rounds. Treated conditions included burn injuries, congenital differences, traumatic injuries, tumor removals, and severe contractures, many requiring complex or staged reconstruction.
The mission was conducted in partnership with Pipeline Worldwide and supported by a coordinated burn patient transfer model involving Ohana One, ReSurge, PolyNovo, and MTF Biologics. High-volume surgical days treated up to 10 patients, including urgent burn cases requiring rapid coordination and specialized grafting materials. Care delivery was supported by Smart Glasses and the Ohana One app for remote consultation and documentation.
In addition to surgical care, the team provided hands-on training in nursing, anesthesia, wound care, splinting, and post-surgical rehabilitation, while maintaining a strong focus on patient-centered care and family support. Across both hospitals, close collaboration with local teams enabled the delivery of complex reconstructive procedures, ranging from infant burn reconstruction and contracture release to congenital hand correction, trauma-related injuries, and tumor excision.
Beyond Surgical Success
Nurse Training
Led by Sandra Rodriguez and Kathleen Osborn, with a focus on practical, hands-on training. Instruction covered essential skills including wound care, burn management, airway management, and effective communication. The program also engaged local nursing apprentices from the Moyo School of Nursing, supporting skills transfer and long-term capacity building within the local healthcare system.
Rehab and Splinting
Rehabilitation and splinting efforts were led by occupational therapist Sabina Michau, with an emphasis on restoring function and preserving mobility. Training focused on hands-on splint making and rehabilitation techniques designed to support functional recovery, particularly for patients healing from burns, trauma, and reconstructive procedures.
Burn ICU Collaboration
Collaboration within the Burn ICU was an integral part of the mission, creating opportunities for shared teaching moments between visiting and local care teams. These exchanges fostered meaningful discussions focused on strengthening and improving ongoing burn care systems to support better long-term patient outcomes.
Technology and Innovation
Technology and innovation supported both clinical care and education during the mission through the use of smart glasses and the Ohana One app. Peter facilitated multiple remote calls and recorded instructional videos, with questions regarding access to these recordings documented in the logs for follow-up. In addition, the donation of a Samsung tablet enhanced local capacity, contributing to improved participation in the national maternal and neonatal audit program.
Partners
A warm thank you to all of our donors and partners for making this surgical outreach program successful!
- Moyo General Hospital
- Lacor HospitalMinistry of Health Uganda
- Pipeline Worldwide
- ReSurge International
- MTF Biologics
- PolyNovo
- TeleVU
- MAP International
- Local transportation support
- Donated tablet to support MOH neonatal/maternal review attendance
Continued Support
This surgical outreach mission was defined by deep partnership, shared purpose, and a commitment to sustainable impact. Through lifesaving burn interventions and complex reconstructive care, the team worked alongside Ugandan colleagues to strengthen local systems through hands-on training and collaboration. Beyond the clinical outcomes, the mission was marked by powerful emotional stories and the remarkable resilience of Ugandan patients and families, whose courage and hope inspired all involved. With deep gratitude to our partners, hosts, and supporters, this experience reinforced the value of collaboration in advancing equitable surgical care.