In 1997 Operation Walk was born in Cuba. Dr. Lawrence D. Dorr was inspired by the humanitarian work of Operation Smile, an organization that performs free operations on the faces of children. The names of these charitable organizations are similar but that is where the similarities end.
Dr. Dorr was advised that generous people may donate to the care of poor children, but there is less compassion for the fate of older adults. Surgery on the face is relatively low risk in otherwise healthy children. Joint replacements are typically performed in debilitated adults with comorbidities. The resources and facilities required for Operation Smile may consist of a scalpel, a single tray and sutures. Joint replacement surgery includes expensive implants for every patient, a hospital and modern equipment to sterilize heavy trays. No organization had ever attempted such a mission.
With this in mind, Dr. Dorr said, “Let’s go to Cuba and do 50”. What seemed too ambitious and unrealistic was actually genius. He understood that demonstrating 2-3 surgeries with the professors would help 2-3 patients. By doing 50, the anesthesia team, nurses, surgical technicians, and therapists would learn the system together. The knowledge could remain in the country and in the minds of the healthcare providers. He was correct.
When we returned to Cuba in 2019 for Dr. Dorr’s last mission more than 20 Cuban surgeons were performing hip and knee replacement surgery on their own patients. They had the knowledge and skills and only lacked the implants. Dr. Dorr didn’t bring fish, he had successfully taught them how to fish.
We will return to Havana in October of 2025. It is symbolic that this may be the final Operation Walk trip for Mary Ellen Sieben. She has been organizing all aspects of the operating room since our first mission 28 years ago. She helped organize more than 25 independent Operation Walk teams around the world. All of them were inspired by the missions of Operation Walk Los Angeles.
When our fearless leader passed away, we were concerned that his mission might not live on. The world-class team heading to Havana is here to show the world that his dream lives on through each volunteer and all the generous people who have donated to this great project. Please continue to spread the word and contribute to Operation Walk Los Angeles.
William T. Long
Co-Medical Director
Operation Walk Los Angeles