My Introduction to Mission Surgery: A Diary

I experienced my first international surgical mission trip in 1993. It was a turning point in my surgical career and has been followed by many missions in many countries over 25 years. Often I am asked by young surgeons what is it like to work on an international mission and what one should expect. Although each mission is different, the sense of accomplishment is always the same and the emotional high one gets from performing the work is always present. Different organizations have different team models. The description here is based on my first mission with Operation Smile, a global nonprofit medical service organization.