Generations of Healing: A Family Mission

To start, could you briefly describe your roles and responsibilities during your time volunteering with One World Surgery? 

Dr. Rafael Neiman: I’ve been a surgeon with One World Surgery since 2016. I’ve come as part of other trips, served as a trip leader, and worked directly with Dr. Merlin. 

Dr. Rosemary Hallett: I volunteered at OWS initially as a family member to accompany Rafi, with the idea that I could help where needed. OWS arranged for me to see patients in my specialty: allergy and clinical immunology. I also worked in the primary care clinic as I am trained in internal medicine and pediatrics. 

Alex Neiman: I joined a team of orthopedic surgeons as a general volunteer in Honduras. I assisted with cooking, administrative, and clinical tasks. I mostly chose to focus on duties at the surgery center to support clinical operations including OR turnover, operating the x-ray machine (fluoroscopy) during cases, and general support around the clinic. I had other unique experiences such as working as a dental assistant, preparing meals in the ranch kitchen, working in the pharmacy, and practicing my Spanish with the local Honduran staff.  

Graham Neiman: As a general volunteer, I was responsible for a range of tasks at the surgery center and ranch, such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry.  

What inspired your family to volunteer, and what keeps you coming back for multiple volunteer experiences?  

Dr. Rafael Neiman: I had a colleague at SCA Health who came on a medical mission and loved it, and he urged me to consider coming. I have been to Honduras at least 15 times. The cases are incredibly challenging at times, but the patients are so grateful, they are incredibly strong, and they have repeatedly restored my faith that what I do has an impact. I love the staff, and I’m great friends with Dr. Merlin.  

Dr. Rosemary Hallett: Rafi heard about OWS from a friend and started volunteering on his own. He felt it would be a great experience for the family. Our nieces and nephews and a Bolivian high school exchange student also came along with us on a volunteer trip. They had a great experience ranging from working in the surgery center, the NPH kitchen, or on the farm. It has been an amazing time to work on our Spanish skills as well.  We have met wonderful people including the Hondurans working at the surgery center, the Honduran patients and family members, and the long-term and short-term volunteers.     

Alex Neiman: Both my parents are physicians who have spent their careers working in the US healthcare system. My father expressed frustration with the barriers to patient care encountered in US hospitals, and he began to seek opportunities where he could put 100% of his time and energy to helping patients directly. When I joined him for my first mission back in 2016, I saw how much of an impact a single surgery could have, and I understood why he found the work so fulfilling. I saw patients with severe lifelong injuries, some unable to work, leave the clinic with the ability to lead full, productive lives. For some patients, One World Surgery is their only option to receive the care they need. Once I truly understood the life-changing impact for the people of Honduras, I decided I want to keep coming back to volunteer. 

Graham Neiman: I enjoy being in a different country and meeting new people. Honduras is beautiful, so it’s an experience that I always enjoy and feel I’m contributing to the mission and goal of One World Surgery. 

Dr. Neiman, as an orthopedic surgeon, can you share a memorable experience or case from your time volunteering that left a lasting impact on you?  

Dr. Rafael Neiman: One patient is quite skilled at using copper wire from his work as an electrician to make sculptures. After I operated on him, he presented Dr. Merlin and me each with a small copper bonsai tree. It’s been in my garden for a few years, and I think of him every time I see it.  Another patient, Alexis, had been struggling to get treatment for his infected femur for 5 years. We came up with a plan to use his lower leg bones to heal the femur while amputating the foot. Within 2 weeks of surgery, he was moving his thigh pain-free, and a few months later, was walking on his new prosthetic leg. After 5 years, he was finally able to work again and support his family. 

Alex, you had the opportunity to scrub in with your father. What was that experience like, and how did it influence your perspective on healthcare and volunteering? 

Alex Neiman: Being scrubbed into surgery is such an incredible experience. As an engineering student with a professional interest in the medical device industry, it gave me great exposure to surgical devices and equipment. Getting to see an orthopedic implant and its surgical tools in every stage—from preoperative planning to sterilization to implantation—gave me the kind of understanding that might only come with years of professional engineering experience. Watching a full procedure and understanding the flow of the operating room, including sterility, packaging, and handling, gave me an in-depth understanding of surgery that spurred my professional interest in engineering for healthcare applications. 

Dr. Hallett, as an allergist, how did you find your skills and expertise valuable in the context of your volunteer work? 

Dr. Rosemary Hallett: I was able to provide specialized care to both the outpatient clinic and to the NPH children and their caretakers. I also had the opportunity to work with the NPH physicians and review current management of allergic diseases (asthma, eczema, hay fever, food allergy) with them to help future patients.   

Graham, can you share a moment where your language skills played a crucial role in the mission, and how did it enhance the overall experience? 

Graham Neiman: My language skills were important throughout the trip and allowed me to connect on a deeper level with those around me. I was able to learn more about people (their lives, what life was like in different parts of Honduras, music, and more). 

What have been some of the most rewarding aspects of your volunteer work with One World Surgery, both personally and as a family? 

Dr. Rafael Neiman: Personally, I enjoy the sense of connection with the patients and staff at OWS; they are so warm and appreciative. I’ve enjoyed watching my kids appreciate the benefits of volunteer work, and they both regularly incorporate it into their lives. When we come as a family, we often bring extended family, nieces and nephews, and work on things bigger than ourselves.  

Dr. Rosemary Hallett: I have been rewarded with seeing several patients over the years with improvement of their allergic conditions.  As a family we have loved traveling together and working in such a unique environment as a family. Highlights were Graham translating for me in the clinic and Alex scrubbing in with Rafi.   

Alex Neiman: I shadowed my parents throughout the day in between my volunteering tasks. I had never seen my mom and dad at work before coming to Honduras. Watching my mother, an allergist and internal medicine doctor, speaking to patients in the clinic gave me a new appreciation for her knowledge and her listening skills. Watching my dad in surgery allowed me to see his quick thinking. Seeing them in their element, doing their best to help people, gave me a newfound appreciation and respect for them both. 

Graham Neiman: I learn so much from spending time in Honduras. I learn more about people and the world and get to explore new spaces. It’s interesting to meet people from a variety of places and backgrounds, who all have the common interest of volunteering and learning.   

One World Surgery aims to transform lives through surgical care and healthcare training. In what ways do you believe your contributions have made a positive impact on the communities you’ve served?  

Dr. Rafael Neiman: I’ve found the educational aspect of these engagements to be very powerful. Dr Merlin has, through his own hard work and sharp mind, absorbed so much of the expertise of the individuals who have visited. He now surpasses many of us in his breadth of surgical skills. The Honduran Fellowship has blossomed into a great experience for the trainees. I enjoy being a part of that fellowship and I feel that the expertise that the fellows and general physicians have gained through our interactions has been valuable for them to train the subsequent generations of surgeons. 

Alex Neiman: The community impact is very direct. General volunteers accelerate and improve clinical operations allowing more patients to be seen and better quality of care to be given. For example, I helped to run the C-arm x-ray machine during cases, moved equipment, and delivered patient charts. By offloading tasks to the general volunteers, the Honduran clinical staff could focus on critical, time-sensitive tasks. 

For those considering volunteering with One World Surgery, what advice would you give them based on your own experiences?  

Dr. Rafael Neiman: I feel safe going with OWS to Honduras. By putting away expectations for what you want the trip to be, you will allow yourself to be surprised by the ways the experience also gives back to you. You open your mind to giving, and you want to give more. 

Dr. Rosemary Hallett: Come ready to work hard and be well rewarded.    

Alex Neiman: I think that joining a medical mission is a fantastic opportunity for effective, direct, community impact and personal development. I would recommend any person regardless of age or experience to consider volunteering if you are able. I would recommend going out of your comfort zone, practicing your language skills, and participating in social activities to get the most out of your volunteer experience. 

Graham Neiman: Give it a shot! It’s a transformative and eye-opening experience. I was nervous before my first trip because I didn’t know what to expect. But the facilities are excellent, and the trip is full of exciting activities.  

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