50 patients, 62 joint replacements

Led by Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Bill Hamilton, a team of surgeons including Dr. Frank Congiusta, Dr. Frances Gonzales, Dr. Kirk Reichard and Dr. Jared Roberts completed 62 joint replacements on 50 patients. Procedures included 12 bilateral knee replacements, 28 knee replacements and 10 hip replacements.

The mission was successful thanks to the partnership of Dr. Ariel Saldana, Orthopedic Surgeon at Hospital Santo Tomas in Panama City, Panama.  

During the one-week mission, Drs. Saldana, Hamilton, Congiusta, Gonzales, Reichard and Roberts held educational seminars and lectures for orthopedic residents from around Panama. These residents also participated in surgery procedures throughout the mission trip.  

Following this mission, Operation Walk Virginia sponsored its first Panamanian surgeon to train with Dr. Hamilton for a month at Anderson Orthopedic Clinic in the United States.

The 2018 trip was organized by Team Leaders Laura McCormack and Connie Kohler.