About Operation Walk Los Angeles
Operation Walk Los Angeles is a volunteer medical humanitarian organization that provides the gift of mobility through life-changing joint replacement surgeries at no cost for those in need in the U.S. and globally. During each international surgical mission, Operation Walk educates in-country orthopedic surgeons, nurses, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals on the most advanced treatments and surgical techniques for diseases of the hip and knee joints. This creates a lasting contribution to patient care in developing countries.
Next Mission: Cuba 2024
We are beyond excited to announce a second mission this fall. This time, our destination will be Havana, Cuba.
Twenty-eight years ago, an idea formed in Dr. Lawrence D. Dorr’s mind to take a team of surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and supporting cast to CIMEQ in Havana, Cuba. With the cooperation of the staff there, Operation Walk was able to complete its first mission, replacing 45 joints in patients who desperately needed our help for a second chance at life.
Flash forward to 2024. Operation Walk Los Angeles has completed nine missions at three separate hospitals in Havana. In total, we have replaced almost 500 joints and helped patients from all parts of the island, different ages, and different walks of life. Many of these patients return to see us during our prior-patient clinic and let us know their successes as well as their setbacks. There is a reason that former executive director, Jeri Ward, calls Cuba “Operation Walk’s second home.” Because to us, it is like returning home to family.
To help us make our 10th mission a success, please consider donating; no amount is too large or too small. Together, we can restore mobility one surgery at a time.
Lawrence D. Dorr Operation Walk Scholarship
Introducing the Lawrence D. Dorr Operation Walk Scholarship – a prestigious annual award established by Operation Walk Angel Paula Paulus in honor of Dr. Lawrence Dorr’s distinguished career. This scholarship grants fourth- or fifth-year residents in orthopedic surgery, aspiring to specialize in joint arthroplasty, the opportunity to participate in Operation Walk’s international missions. By raising funds for this scholarship, we aim to uphold Dr. Dorr’s legacy and provide life-changing experiences for young surgeons. Previous recipients have attested to the transformative impact of joining the Operation Walk team, operating alongside renowned surgeons, interacting with patients, and participating in medical missions. With your generous donations, we can continue to support and inspire the next generation of surgeons, ensuring their growth, career enhancement, and the continuation of our organization’s mission. Join us in this challenge to match Paula’s donation up to $30,000.
Teams
Trips
Countries
Patients
Value of volunteer time donated for each mission