A Historic Milestone for Healthcare: First Surgeries at One World Surgery’s Dominican Republic Center

One World Surgery (OWS) is proud to announce a monumental achievement: the first surgeries have been successfully performed at our new state-of-the-art surgery center in the Dominican Republic. As the country’s first-ever ambulatory surgery center, this facility marks a significant leap forward in healthcare accessibility, offering advanced surgical care to those who need it most. This milestone has been five years in the making, beginning with the inception of the project in 2019. 

A Vision Realized: The First Surgeries 

The very first surgeries at the new center were performed by Dr. Joice Morillo, One World Surgery’s Dominican Republic Medical Director, alongside Dr. Hugh West, OWS board member and partner of over twelve years. Dr. Morillo’s leadership and expertise were instrumental in realizing this momentous occasion. 

Dr. West reflected on this historic day with awe. “My overall feeling was, ‘Wow. How rare and improbable is an accomplishment like this?’ I was reminded of the many stars that had to align perfectly in terms of people, financial resources, and the right in-country sponsor. I’m just in awe.” 

Dr. West served as the supervising physician during the first surgery, assisting Dr. Morillo in treating the first patients. “Watching Dr. Morillo, a young Dominican orthopedic surgeon who endured and succeeded in a surgical training program not built to accommodate women, was a really moving moment,” he shared. “Here she is, with all the energy, heart, and skill to serve her people. It felt no different than operating at home in the U.S.” 

The first surgical case was a man living with a non-cancerous mass on his elbow. The patient expressed profound gratitude, saying the care he received restored his faith in the goodness of God and humanity. Dr. West added, “For these patients, this care is more than a gift. It’s a miracle.” 

The second case was more complicated and involved general anesthesia. “We treated a middle-aged man who had been attacked years ago with a machete, amputating his right arm above the elbow and severely injuring his remaining left hand to the point where he had no function or use in his fingers. We transferred some tendons to allow him to have some functional pinching between the thumb and the index finger.” 

The following patient was a young man who suffered a burn years ago, which resulted in his index and middle finger becoming fused. The surgery succeeded in separating the fingers so that he could have functional use of them again. 

Dr. Andi Kaiser’s Inspiring Journey with OWS 

Among the many dedicated volunteers contributing to this new chapter is Dr. Andi Kaiser, a general surgeon with a deep passion for service. Dr. Kaiser joined the OWS team in the Dominican Republic to provide care for general surgery patients and help prepare for upcoming surgical missions. 

Dr. Kaiser’s journey with OWS began after hearing the inspiring story of Dr. Merlin Antunez, OWS’s Honduras Medical Director and a pequeño of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH). She reflected on how volunteering with OWS transforms lives: “Whether in Honduras or the Dominican Republic, the work we do helps people function in their communities to their full potential. It’s not just about the surgeries themselves but the knowledge transfer and process improvements that ensure sustainable, long-term change.” 

Her advice to future volunteers underscores the importance of respecting local practices. “It’s vital to learn from the local staff and understand their medical culture. There are many safe ways to approach healthcare, and what works in one country may not work in another.” 

Dr. Kaiser’s involvement in the opening of the new surgery center is a testament to the dedication of healthcare professionals worldwide. “The new surgery center is physically beautiful, very well set up, and the local team has been incredibly trusting. It’s been amazing to see.” 

Preparing for the First Procedures: A Team Effort 

The successful launch of the new surgery center was the result of tireless work from both the OWS and Dominican teams. Dr. West emphasized the immense effort required to prepare for these surgeries: “The operational details required to successfully and safely perform a first surgical case are particularly daunting. To accomplish this in a foreign country with all the local regulatory and supply chain challenges has required unbelievable tenacity. I’m incredibly proud of our team.” 

Dr. West also highlighted key individuals who played crucial roles in this achievement, such as Tiffany Healy, OWS’s Nurse Director of Clinical Operations. “We relied completely on her for the safety of our patients and for the education of the staff,” he said. “Her leadership has been remarkable.” 

Volunteer surgeon Dr. Davis Hurley from Denver, Colorado, who has supported OWS for years, also lent his expertise during the first surgical mission. His dedication mirrors that of the entire OWS team. Dr. West shared, “He came with the right attitude and shares the spirit of service that characterizes the organization.” 

Christina Wagener also stepped into the role of our Chief Operating Officer and is stepping into the full-time mature model of the organization. “She is creating a disciplined structure around which we can deliver excellent, safe care with sustainable activity for our patients and teammates. She’s been remarkable.” 

“I don’t think you can talk about a foundational organizing force that’s been in-country, who’s just learned everything, without mentioning Joanna Sun. She makes the project run. She’s our Swiss army knife,” Dr. West shared.

Looking Ahead: A New Era for Dominican Healthcare 

With the new surgery center now fully operational, One World Surgery is poised to make a lasting impact on healthcare in the Dominican Republic. “We are bringing first-class surgical care to this country,” Dr. West said. “In time, I believe this facility and team will come to have high visibility within the country, and the people who are suffering from untreated surgical conditions will come to us from all parts of the country.” 

With the help of volunteers like Dr. West and Dr. Kaiser, alongside our local teams, OWS continues to provide life-changing medical care to thousands of people while building sustainable healthcare solutions in the Dominican Republic. 

The work of OWS is just beginning in the Dominican Republic, and with each surgery, each patient treated, a new chapter in healthcare is being written. 

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