“Helping a Heart to Beat,” a surgical campaign made possible by the coordinated effort of five distinct organizations, took place April 17-19 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. A true example of solidarity, the campaign served 12 children with congenital heart defects through a high-tech procedure using cardiac catheterization.

Every institution tends to develop its own internal language and Solidarity Bridge is no exception. To keep both new and longtime members of our bridge-building network on the same page, here is a brief glossary.

In this blog, Dr. Moser shares his experience from Geneva, advocating for a global health focus on surgical care.  He represented Solidarity Bridge in the G4 Alliance and attended the opening session of the World Health Assembly. 

Through our work to resource Bolivian surgeons and their affiliate hospitals, we have witnessed the many ways quality surgical care can positively impact the health of patients, and the well-being of their families and entire communities. Yet still, “in low- and middle-income countries, 9 out of 10 people cannot access even the most basic surgical services.”

Summarizing his experiences after more than 20 mission trips, Dr. Richard Moser shares a new development at Solidarity Bridge that connects our on the ground work in Bolivia to a global movement for safer surgery. 

Dr. Barb Lazio, a first-time missioner shares here experience at the halfway point in this mission trip. 

It is hard to believe that five days of Solidarity Bridge’s Neurosurgery Mission to Cochabamba have already spun by.

Mission takes on new dimensions when Solidarity Bridge and our partners in Bolivia undertake the task of planning a three day course.

 Through the interconnected work of the dozens of individuals and several institutions involved in this 1-week mission trip, we managed to provide almost 50 surgeries! 

 In addition to our activities that support high-complexity surgeries we fervently strive to bring about inner healing and transformation to all who participate in this mission.

A reflection from our GSMT team on that moment in time that marks a before and an after. When something deep is about to shift. Transform. Grow in a new direction.

Ten years after our first General Surgery Mission Trip, our 12th team returns to Cochabamba to expand training in highly complex cancer surgeries and minimally-invasive general surgery cases.