Since the collection of Durable Medical Equipment at the Verdugo Hills Hospital Physical Therapy Department and Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic was a huge success, I wanted to start an additional collection site at the outpatient orthopedic clinic at the hospital where my mom works. Although collection at this site wasn’t possible, the staff suggested to approach Fr. Mike Gergen, a beloved pastor at St Dominic Savio church.
Like Father, Like Son: Jonathan and Drew Weiss
In honor of Father’s Day and fathers everywhere, we continue our “All About Family” series by featuring the father and son team, Jonathan and Drew Weiss. Dr. Jonathan Weiss has been volunteering with Operation Walk as an anesthesiologist for the past several years. When the opportunity came about, he jumped at the opportunity to share the experience with Drew. Read their thoughts about volunteering together during our 2022 mission to Guatemala and the perspectives they gained through their experience.
Continuing Their Medical Journey: Doctors Laura Doan and Nate Heckmann
We are pleased to introduce you to long-time supporters and first-time Operation Walk Los Angeles volunteers, Dr. Laura Doan and her husband Dr. Nate Heckmann. Meeting in medical school, these doctors have a history of volunteering and service to others. Read why being a part of our 2024 mission to the Philippines is important to them both.
Westside Neighborhood School (WNS) Students Choose to Support Operation Walk Los Angeles For Their SPLASH Project
Los Angeles, CA — At Westside Neighborhood School (WNS), a group of dedicated 7th graders have embarked on a school project called SPLASH, which stands for Solving Problems for Los Angeles’ Society and Health.
SPLASH is designed to identify and address community challenges while making a meaningful impact. This year, my daughter, Madison Yamaguchi, along with school teammates Ethan Chang, Haley Ahir, and Alex Melendez have chosen to support OpWalk Los Angeles as their project.
Joint Disease Doesn’t Just Affect the Elderly
Hip and knee replacement surgeries are often thought of as procedures primarily for the elderly, but this perception overlooks the significant number of younger individuals who require them due to conditions such as congenital dysplasia, osteonecrosis, post-traumatic arthritis, and inflammatory diseases. We’re screening several young patients for the upcoming mission who are in need of these surgeries to be free of pain, regain functionality, return to work, and take care of their families.
New Faces for Mission Philippines
One of our favorite things about Operation Walk is the chance to invite new volunteers to participate and introduce them to our mission. We would like to introduce Coleen Daughtery RN, get to know more about her and why volunteering for our upcoming mission has a special meaning.
Read more
Mother/Daughter Dynamic Duo
In celebration of Mother’s Day, our Family Segment features mother and daughter team, Paulette Labinpuno RN and Kaitlyn Martinez PTA. Paulette and Kaitlyn traveled with our team to Arusha, Tanzania this past summer and experienced volunteering together for the first time. Read more about how this mission made a lasting impact on them both.
Technology with the Human Touch
Often, we receive messages through our website, Facebook and Instagram pages, or in response to our newsletter requesting help. That help can be for a parent, a husband or wife, or the patient themselves. Through modern communication, we can connect these patients with local hospitals and sometimes are able to serve them during an Operation Walk Mission. Below is one such story.
Meet Dr. Kamran Movassaghi
It is with pleasure that we introduce the Lawrence D. Dorr Operation Walk Scholarship winner for 2024, Dr. Kamran Movassaghi. This scholarship was founded by Operation Walk Los Angeles Angel and long-time donor, Ms. Paula Paulus, to honor and celebrate Dr. 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.
Introducing Potential Patient; Jeffrey Busog
As we gear up for our mission to the Philippines this summer, we have received several requests from locals and their families. These requests describe hardworking people whose lives have been interrupted by joint disease, damage to their knees and hips due to accidents, and other debilitating causes. One such individual is Jeffrey Busog. His wife wrote to us in January with the hope that her husband could be considered as a potential patient for our upcoming mission at our partner hospital in General Santos City. Team Leader, Lisa Fujimoto PA, coordinated with the hospital administrators to find him a place on the screening list. Jeffrey will be evaluated, like all potential patients, orthopedically and medically to see if he qualifies for surgery. Below is his story.
Operation Walk for the Baldwin Bunch is a Family Affair
During our most recent mission to Tanzania, we had the rare occurrence of three family members volunteering and working side by side. Kyle, Ava, and Kate Baldwin made the journey working in Physical Therapy, as Administrative Coordinator, and in the OR respectively. Since the inception of Operation Walk, this family has dedicated their time, talents, and service to helping restore mobility one surgery at a time. Hear how their involvement in our organization and this trip has and continues to shape their lives.
Why Become an Angel
When you join our group of philanthropists, you help provide life-changing surgeries to those in desperate need of a miracle. But beyond that, you help to build a bridge between donors and patients. Our Angels have the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of our patients, their families, and their communities.
Our Angels all are motivated by our commitment to Operation Walk, here are some of their whys.