Shifting the paradigm from performing cataract surgeries in host communities to mentoring, training, and equipping the local doctors to perform more surgeries on their own incorporates the most effective and equitable use of often-limited resources while building the host community’s health workforce capacity.
Medical/healthcare professionals on ACE Global’s teaching travel teams utilize their acquired skill set to help people in need and provide mentorship to Anterior Segment and Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellows, local healthcare providers, and their staff. Each volunteer can play a vital role in education, skills transfer, professional and personal development, and help train these dedicated Hondurans to be a part of the cure for needless and preventable blindness and address the shortage of functional and reconstructive care.
It is impossible for mere words to describe the beauty and richness of seeing a cross-cultural team working together, with humility and zeal, to improve the lives of others without asking for recognition or compensation. Yet, isn’t that what global medicine is supposed to look like? I invite you to join the team and see for yourself.
Through our Teaching Travel Team program, ACE Global is reducing the learning curve, helping accelerate readiness, and improving the surgical competency of young surgeons who are desperate to address the shortage of sight-restoring, functional, and reconstructive care in their own country. By building up the next generation of local surgeons and support staff, we can increase access to these vital services for people in need and help every person get the chance to live a healthy, productive life.
We need physicians, OR nurses, CRNAs, techs, and clinical staff. We also have a great need for general volunteers to assist in pre- and post-op and with our ongoing research. Volunteering for our Teaching Travel Teams can also be a rewarding experience for the whole family! We welcome children ages 12 and up and they can earn community service hours for their participation.
If you are interested in joining our Teaching Travel Team, we invite you to apply for one of our upcoming opportunities.
