Volunteer medical and surgical health professionals travel at their own expense. They treat patients and share their expertise with host country health professionals during procedures and in-service sessions. Other volunteers unpack and prepare medical equipment and medicines, provide transportation, organize patients, and document activities.

Most trips last 8 to 10 days, and often the doctors treat as many as 100 children and screen scores more for possible treatment in the U.S.

Specialties most often provided on HTC medical trips are plastic and maxillofacial surgery, dental services, ear, nose and throat services, and ophthalmologic, neurosurgical, urological, general surgical, and orthopedic procedures.

The work is grueling, but rewarding. Many doctors report feeling renewed commitment to their profession and new certainty that what they do is worthwhile. If you are a qualified medical professional or a volunteer who is interested in working on medical trips, please contact a Healing the Children chapter for more information.