People & Program

Bridging Healthcare Gaps Worldwide

Our vision for the future is a world where every surgeon has equitable access to advanced surgical training, mentorship, innovative technology, wellbeing programs, and educational resources.

Surgical Sight Program

Beginning in 2020, mentor & mentee teams embark on a one-year program/study for a remote surgical intensive focusing on a single procedure or technique that will elevate the surgical mentee’s ability and help them care for even more patients. We are grateful to our NGO partners who are working with us on this program/study.

Surgical Training Teams typically consist of 1-2 mentors working with 3-5 mentees. There are three levels of surgical training teams. Level 1 teams include a lead surgeon, a program manager, qualified mentees, a supportive NGO and/or hospital, and a clear, comprehensive project charter, exemplified by organizations like NeuroKids. Level 2 teams feature a lead surgeon who integrates technology into their full-time humanitarian practice, as seen with professionals like Dr. Hannan. Level 3 teams consist of one mentor and one mentee working independently, such as the partnership between Dr. Conner and Dr. Nuru.

9 Surgical Specialties

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
OBGYN
Urological Surgery
Neurological Surgery
General and Colorectal Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Otolaryngology
Ophthalmology

144 Participating Hospitals

Aga Khan University Hospital
Ain Shams University
ALERT Hospital
Barrow Neurological Institute
Bere Adventist Hospital
Boston Children’s Hospital
Bugando Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Centre National Hospitalier et HKM
Children’s Hospital 2
Children’s Hospital of Alabama
Children’s National Hospital
Chris Hai Bargwanath Academic Hospital
Cincinnati Childrens Hospital
CURE Hospital
E Virginia Med School/
Senera Norfolk GH
Eastbourne District General Hospital
Evergreen Health
FAME Africa
Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital
Groote Schuur Hospital
Guthrie/Robert Packer Hospital
Helping Hands
Henry Ford Hospital
Hospital General De Grand Yoff
Hospital General Irissa Pouye
Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas
Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrion – Callao
Huntington Hospital
Intl Medical Center,
Hue Central Hospital
Jijiga Sheik Hassen Yabare
Referral Hospital
John Hopkins University
Kamuzu Central Hospital
Kirtipur Hospital
Kongo Anokye Teaching Hospital
Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Maputo General Hospital
Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute
Mulago Hospital
National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi
National Hospital Abuja
National Trauma Center, Nepal
North Okkalapa General Hospital
Oregon Health & Science University
PAD Enterprises
Parirenyatwa Hospital
Pawi General Hospital
Philippine Heart Center
Roberto Clemente Clinic
San Bernardo Hospital
Shriners for Children Medical Center
Sick Kids Hospital
Sourb Astvatsamyr MC
Southern Phillipines Medical Center
St Luke’s Medical Center
St. Gaspar Referral and
Teaching Hospital
Stanford Medical Center
Tikur Anbessa Hospital
Tygerberg Hospital
UCLA Medical Center
University of Gondar Hospital
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
University Teaching Hospital of Kigali
Weill Cornell New York Presbyterian
Western Sussex Hospitals Trust

64 Countries

High-Income Countries (HICs): 20.0%
Low-Income Countries (LICs): 71.67%
Middle-Income Countries (MICs): 8.33%ChatGP

High-Income Countries (HICs)
• Aruba
• Australia
• Canada
• Caribbean Netherlands
• Curaçao
• Denmark
• Germany
• Greenland
• Netherlands
• Sint Maarten
• United Kingdom
• United States

Low-Income Countries (LICs)
• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Bangladesh
• Benin
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Indonesia
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Liberia
• Malawi
• Mali
• Moçambique (Mozambique)
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Nicaragua
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Philippines
• Republique Democratique du Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• St. Vincent & Grenadines
• Tanzania
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• Vietnam
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Middle-Income Countries (MICs)
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Brazil
• China
• Malaysia

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Sustainable development goals

We at Ohana One International Surgical Aid & Education align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to underscore our commitment to global solidarity. By focusing on increasing access to surgical education and training in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we aim to contribute to the broader objectives of improving health and well-being, reducing inequalities, and fostering sustainable development. Our dedication to these goals reflects our belief that every individual deserves access to quality surgical care, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.

Super surgeons

Stories of mentorship and healing bonds.

Dr. Pedro Santos Ohana One Ambassador: From Mentee to Mentor

Dr. Santos’ life took a significant turn when he crossed paths with Dr. David Kulber, whose mentorship became pivotal in shaping Dr. Santos’ career trajectory. With Dr. Kulber’s guidance and the introduction of smart glass technology, Dr. Santos found a means to continue his mentorship journey, even in the absence of Dr. Kulber’s physical presence in Mozambique.

Their collaborative efforts not only transformed Dr. Santos’ professional life but also served as inspiration that led to the establishment of Ohana One. Dr. Santos’ professional journey underscores the profound impact of mentorship and technology in empowering surgeons facing resource constraints. Under Dr. Kulber’s mentorship, Dr. Santos has not only honed his skills but has also 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.

Anatomical Cleft Restoration Philosophy

On average, most children born with a cleft palate require 3.5 surgeries. Our goal is to reduce that number to 1.5 surgeries which provides benefits not only to the patient but to health care systems as a whole.

Lead Dr. Bob Mann
Specialty Facial/Plastic Reconstruction
Regions India and South America

Dutch Caribbean Hospital Alliance Project

Tarek ElShayal, Ohana One’s biomedical & logistics coordinator, recently went on a training trip to both set-up equipment and train practitioners. Tarek brought with him cutting-edge TeleVU Smart View software equipped Smartphones and Vuzix Smartglasses to leave with the sites. These will allow specialists to better support generalists on smaller islands and allow collaborations that haven’t been possible to date across locations in many countries.

Lead Dr. Ellianne de Santos Rubio and Tarek ElShayal
Specialty Neurosurgery
Regions Curaçao, Saba, Statia, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Bonaire

HelloSurg Project

Jafrul Hannan, MD has experienced the challenge of training mentees for a longer period due to their work and family commitments. He found a solution by having mentees stay with him for a short period and continue learning through live online platforms. Ohana One has allowed him to train more pediatric surgeons and see some of his trainees start their own practices.

Lead Dr. Jafrul Hannan
Specialty Pediatric and Laparoscopic Surgery
Regions Bangladesh, Cuba, Pakistan

New!

Surgical Training Sessions Audio Visual Library

Our comprehensive surgical training video library encompasses 11 specialties, including orthopedics, pediatric neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and general surgery. The collection represents surgical training sessions conducted across the globe with real-time, two-way audio-visual communication, ensuring an immersive learning experience. These invaluable videos are archived in our library and are searchable by doctor, specialty, surgery type, and location, making them a rich resource for education and research. If you are interested in accessing our library for use in education or research, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

Supportive Education

The Ohana One Journal Club

Surgical training and education must reach beyond just the operating room. Through regular monthly journal clubs, surgeons share their knowledge and asking important questions to give life-long learning.

To further supplement their training, Dr. Pedro Santos leads a monthly surgical journal club with his colleagues in Mozambique and guests observers and participants from Ohana One, ReSurge and other NGO partners. The group discusses the findings in the article and looks at the challenges presented and the outcomes chosen. These conversations are found to be invaluable as the training surgeons group together for case discussions and problem solving.

Surgical Outreach Trips

On a mission to make the world a better place.

Surgical outreach trips are critical in developing strong relationships between local and visiting surgical teams as they work in tandem towards achieving long-term skill-training.

Stay Updated

Stories from Our Ohana

Read our blog to discover inspiring stories, impactful initiatives, and valuable insights into the transformative work we do together.

The OO App Bringing the Future to your Phone

The OO App Bringing the Future to your Phone

Ohana One is set to further transform global surgical training with the launch of our groundbreaking OO App, anticipated in the second quarter of 2025. This app is thoughtfully designed to fortify connections between surgeons and support healthcare professionals, especially in remote and underserved regions.

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Introducing Ohana One’s Newest Team Members: Cristina Farrut, Jenny Davidson, Grace Berglin, and Bevin Metzger

Introducing Ohana One’s Newest Team Members: Cristina Farrut, Jenny Davidson, Grace Berglin, and Bevin Metzger

Ohana One is thrilled to welcome four exceptional new members to our growing team. Each brings a wealth of experience, passion, and unique talents that align with our mission of providing global surgical education and care. Read on to learn more about Cristina Farrut, Jenny Davidson, Grace Berglin, and Bevin Metzger, and how they are contributing to the life-saving work at Ohana One.

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