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About Us

Mission & History

 Our mission is to deliver surgical care, education, and community empowerment to underserved populations 

 

FREED AND KWON HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL FUND (HMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 by Jeffrey S. Freed, MD, MPH, and Soo Y. Kwon, MD. 

For over two decades, we have brought together medical teams to provide life-changing surgical care to women who otherwise lack access. Building on this work, we are developing a community-based pelvic reconstructive program in Ghana, a future Center of Excellence that empowers local surgeons, nurses, and health workers to continue this work independently.

Through training and scholarships, we are building a self-sufficient network of clinicians who will train others, creating a sustainable model that can be replicated across West Africa.

  • Transforming Lives Through Surgical Care and EducationFor over 20 years, Drs. Freed and Kwon have delivered life-changing surgical care to women in under-resourced communities across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. They treat pelvic floor disorders—including childbirth-related vaginal fistulas, vaginal prolapse, and urinary incontinence—and through expert surgery and compassionate care, help women reclaim their health, dignity, and place in society.

  • Healing Through Surgery, Empowering Through EducationDr. Freed, a general surgeon, has performed numerous procedures to treat colorectal cancers, hernias, rectovaginal fistulas, and other complex conditions. He is equally dedicated to education, mentoring local surgeons on every mission to ensure the skills he shares are sustained locally.

    Dr. Kwon, a Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon, established Africa’s first accredited FPMRS Fellowship, developed with the International Urogynecological Association and the Ghana College of Surgeons. Following the philosophy “Teach the teachers,” the program trains local surgeons to become educators, building sustainable systems for future generations.

    Building on successful programs at three sites, Drs. Freed and Kwon are establishing a fourth center in Ghana to provide high-quality surgical care and serve as a regional hub for training, creating a lasting infrastructure for advanced pelvic and colorectal surgery in West Africa.

  • Expanding Impact: Education in Liberia and BeyondIn addition to their work in Ghana, Drs. Freed and Kwon have trained and mentored medical students in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Rwanda. By investing in education and supporting tuition, they are helping to build the next generation of healthcare leaders and strengthen the foundation of care across Africa.

  • More Than Medicine: Clean Water and Community HealthThrough the Fund, Drs. Freed and Kwon’s impact extends beyond hospitals and clinics. They have also championed clean water initiatives in Central and South America with Engineers Without Borders, improving public health and 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.

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