From the start, we assembled teams of medical professionals to reach patients—especially women—without access to surgical care. Over the past two decades, we have provided countless life-changing procedures, often addressing women’s health conditions that would otherwise have gone untreated.
These experiences inspired us to go beyond individual missions. To that end, we are developing a sustainable, community-based pelvic reconstructive surgical program in Ghana—a future Center of Excellence. Our goal is to empower local surgeons, nurses, and community health workers to carry this work forward independently, eventually rendering our presence unnecessary.
Our long-standing relationships in these communities have paved the way for educational initiatives for Ghana's medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty. In addition to formal surgical training, we offer scholarships for Africans pursuing careers in the surgical and non-surgical specialties most needed in their home countries. By training self-sufficient physicians and staff who will, in turn, teach others, we aim to make our mission obsolete. Ultimately, this Center of Excellence should be used as a model for similar centers throughout West Africa.
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Transforming Lives Through Surgical Care and Education
For over 20 years, Drs. Freed and Kwon have dedicated a significant part of their time to delivering life-changing surgical care to under-resourced communities throughout Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. But their mission extends far beyond the operating room—they are committed to restoring health, dignity, and hope for women suffering from devastating pelvic floor disorders (PFDs).
Conditions such as vaginal fistulas caused by childbirth trauma, vaginal prolapse, and urinary incontinence are not only physically debilitating—they are socially isolating. In many low-resource settings, women with these conditions face chronic leakage of urine or stool, often leading to social rejection and deep emotional suffering. Through surgical intervention and compassionate care, Drs. Freed and Kwon help these women reclaim their health and place in society.
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Healing Through Surgery, Empowering Through EducationDr. Freed, a general surgeon, has performed countless procedures to treat colorectal cancers, hernias, rectovaginal fistulas, and other complex surgical conditions. Equally committed to education, he trains and mentors local surgeons during every mission, ensuring that the skills he brings are passed on and sustained locally. and used to expand the surgical expertise of those local surgeons.
Dr. Kwon, a Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon, has also led the creation of Africa’s first and only accredited Female Pelvic Medicine and reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) Fellowship. Developed in collaboration with the International Urogynecological Association and the Ghana College of Surgeons, this program is grounded in a powerful guiding philosophy: “Teach the teachers.” By empowering local surgeons to become educators, they are building sustainable systems that will serve future generations.
Building on the success of programs in three sites, Drs. Freed and Kwon are helping establish a fourth center of care and education in Ghana. This new site is designed to provide high-quality surgical treatment while serving as a regional center for surgical training. They are building the site to become the Center of Excellence in West Africa. By mentoring medical students, residents, fellows, and attending surgeons, they are helping create a lasting infrastructure for advanced care across West Africa.
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Expanding Impact: Education in Liberia and Beyond
In addition to surgical care and training in Ghana, Drs. Freed and Kwon have worked in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, NIger and Rwanda, mentoring and educating medical students eager to serve their communities. By investing in their education and financing the tuition of the next generation of healthcare leaders, they strengthen the foundation of care across the continent.
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More Than Medicine: Clean Water and Community Health
Through the Fund, their impact reaches beyond hospitals and clinics. Drs. Freed and Kwon have also championed clean water initiatives in Central and South America with Engineers without Borders, further advancing public health and improving daily life in the communities they serve.
Join Us in Making a Difference
None of this would be possible without your support. Your generosity fuels this work, bringing healing, education, and empowerment to those who need it most. Together, we’re not just performing surgeries. We’re building healthier futures, transforming communities, and changing lives—one patient, one surgeon, and one step at a time.
