Humanitarian Mission: A Team of Medical Professionals Brings Smiles and Surgical Expertise to Children in Honduras

A team of five medical professionals from Essentia Health recently completed a trip to Honduras, where they performed surgeries at San Benito Jose Medical Center. Dr. Phillip Thomas, an orthopedic surgeon, described the experience as truly rewarding, with close to 30 surgeries performed in just five days. This marked his first time in Honduras and he was touched by the gratitude and kindness of the people they helped.

The group included Joni Kearns, a surgical assistant, Maura Chernov, an RN, and Dr. Lee Stokes, an anesthesiologist. They brought along stuffed animals for the children at the medical center. The Essentia Health Foundation provided funding for medication and supplies for this mission.

For Dr. Mike Torchia, this trip was his eighth visit to Honduras. He shared that it held a special place in his heart as it was where he decided to pursue a career in medicine, specifically orthopedics. Working alongside his father, also an orthopedic surgeon