MCJR team volunteers recently returned from a week-long mission trip to Guatemala, where they provided free medical care and surgeries to 78 Guatemalan patients. The volunteers, which included our own Dr. Mike Berend and Steve Spry, RN, worked alongside Team Hope in Motion (Team HIM) and other OrthoAlliance partner teams across the Midwest to serve the needy.
The trip was a great success: over the course of 4 days, the surgeon teams worked tirelessly to provide 67 joint reconstruction and replacement surgeries. Here’s a breakdown of the week’s procedures:
Many of the Guatemalan patients have endured long-suffering birth defects or untreated injuries for decades. Because of these defects, many of the surgery cases are complicated and require expertise and ingenuity on the surgeons’ part. This just highlights how dedicated Dr. Berend and the other surgeons are to their craft. The surgeries our teams provide them are life-changing and would be unattainable if not for the generosity of many.
Dr. Berend and other MCJR clinicians typically travel to Guatemala once or twice a year with Team HIM to further their mission to serve the needy. We are so grateful that our surgeons use their gifts to serve some of the least of these.
To read more about their adventures and view more photos from the 2024 trip, visit the Team Hope in Motion blog.
Further Reading
Dive deeper into joint health and expert care with these informative resources from Midwest Center for Joint Replacement:
Meet Our Experts
- Welcome Dr. Rick Weidenbener: Learn about our newest addition to the MCJR team, bringing specialized expertise to our patient care.
- Dr. Peers: Hand, Wrist, Elbow, and Shoulder Specialist: Discover the advanced upper extremity care available at our center.
Understanding Joint Conditions
- What is Hip Bursitis?: Explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this common joint condition.
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis Explained: Gain insights into how injuries can lead to long-term joint challenges.
Patient Resources
- Share Your Experience: Help other patients by writing a review and sharing your MCJR journey.
Each of these resources is designed to provide you with valuable information about joint health, our expert care, and the treatment options available at Midwest Center for Joint Replacement.