In partnership with the University of Minnesota and One World Surgery, Summit Orthopedics has launched a surgical training program for physicians from Honduras.
In Honduras, most people do not have health insurance, and many people don’t have access to surgical care when they need it. Part of the problem is a national shortage of physicians and surgeons.
Summit physicians have been participating in medical missions to Honduras for years as part of One World Surgery, spending time traveling to perform various orthopedic surgeries. Their efforts were changing the lives of the individuals they helped, but the need is great, and the Summit team wanted to do more.
“What we’re trying to do is build capacity,” said Summit orthopedic surgeon Michael Forseth, M.D. “We obviously can’t be there full time, so the idea is to teach more physicians and help build a network in Honduras to increase the capacity of Honduran physicians to take care of their own population.”
Summit’s Training Program for Physicians from Honduras
That’s why, in partnership with the University of Minnesota and One World Surgery, Summit Orthopedics launched a surgical training program for physicians from Honduras — the first of its kind in the United States. The one-year program’s goal is to help build orthopedic surgical capacity in Honduras by providing additional subspecialty training to Honduran orthopedic surgeons. Each year, two Honduran orthopedic surgeons will participate, spending six months in Minnesota and six months working with Summit surgeons in Honduras.
In Honduras, orthopedic surgeons are trained in trauma, developing expertise in fractures and traumatic injuries from car accidents or gunshot wounds, for example. Working with Summit surgeons, the program’s physicians will develop a wide range of expertise in orthopedic subspecialities, from complex joint replacement to hand microsurgery. After they complete the program, the physicians will return to Honduras to train their colleagues, further building surgical subspecialty orthopedic capacity in the country — and ultimately, helping many more patients.
This year, Summit welcomes Honduran orthopedic surgeons Engels Castellanos, M.D., and Dolly Acosta, M.D. For Dr. Acosta, the program is a dream come true. “Sometimes, I can’t believe I’m here,” she said. “It’s really nice to be with all the doctors and see what you are doing here, and learn that, to take it to our community.”
Dr. Castellanos looks forward to bringing the technological expertise he develops working with Summit to the surgeons in his country. “That’s the idea, that we can help our people with the knowledge we acquire here,” he said.
We are excited to welcome these two Honduran physicians to the Summit family.
Summit Orthopedics supports healthy communities
Community health flourishes when specialized orthopedic care is conveniently available close to home. Summit Orthopedics is proud of our fellowship-trained subspecialty teams offering the full spectrum of orthopedic expertise in bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint conditions—in addition to our wellness, prevention, and rehabilitation services. We have the expertise to proactively improve fitness, evaluate discomfort, and deliver personalized treatment to quickly and safely return you to the lifestyle you love.
Start your journey to a healthier, more active self. Visit our Facebook page to learn about our wellness services and schedule a free wellness consultation online. Find your orthopedic expert, schedule an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a consultation.
Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as several additional community clinics.