Injustice has a cure.
We believe everyone deserves access to high-quality care, regardless of where they come from. Transcend borders and give a Guatemalan child healing and hope through a surgical missions trip.
You can help hundreds of children who desperately need your unique skills and expertise.
The Shalom Foundation partners with medical professionals in the U.S.A to coordinate one-week volunteer surgical mission trips (SMT’s) across 10 different specialties to reach the underprivileged children of Guatemala. During each trip, “SMT” personnel evaluate and help hundreds of patients through surgical procedures performed at the Moore Center.
The Moore Center’s English-speaking staff make sure each mission week flows smoothly. Before your team’s arrival, the Moore Center facilitates patient recruitment and all of the necessary patient logistics (transportation, food, temporary housing) so that your team can focus completely on providing medical and surgical care within your expertise.
In addition to our professional team of full-time staff, the Moore Center can contract part-time staff for each surgical mission trip. Qualified local surgeons provide the proper pre-screening and appropriate follow-up care for each mission team’s patients. In keeping with our mission, we believe that excellent post-operative care is one of the most important keys to a successful surgical outcome for each child!
Want to learn more about surgical mission trips? Check out our FAQ’s in this PDF!
Our Surgical Mission Trip Specialties Include:
Typical surgeries that might be performed during a general surgery mission trip include:
Hernia repair
Imperforate anus repair
Removal of masses and/or cysts
Cholecystectomies
Splenectomies
Typical surgeries that might be performed during an Ears, Nose, and Throat Surgery Mission Trip include:
Tonsillectomy
Eardrum reconstruction
Nasal septum deviation
Thyroglossal cyst removal
Typical surgeries that might be performed during a Lip & Palate Surgery Mission Trip include:
Cleft lip & Cleft palate repair
Facial scars
Mass removal
Nevus removal
Typical surgeries that might be performed during an Orthopedic Surgery Mission Trip include:
Congenital hip dislocation
Club Feet
Flat Feet
Polydactyly
Syndactyly
Tendon Release
Typical surgeries that might be performed during a Urology Surgery Mission Trip include:
Circumcision
Hypospadias repair
Non-decsended testicle surgery
Meatal stenosis
Urethral reimplantation
Typical surgeries that might be performed during a Ophthalmology Surgery Mission Trip include:
Strabismus
Congenial ptosis
Chalazion
Eyelid scar removal
Typical procedures that might be performed during a Dental Mission Trip include:
Dental decay repair
Dental restoration or dental fillings
Dental extractions
Typical surgeries that might be performed during a Plastic Surgery Mission Trip include:
Microtia repair (stages 1-4)/ear reconstruction
Cleft lip & palate
Typical surgeries that might be performed during a Hand and Arm Surgery Mission Trip include:
Scar release
Hand and arm deformity repairs
Polydactyly
Syndactyly
Tendon Release
“Visiting the Moore Center is akin to visiting family. By combining forces we are able to provide exceptional care for the children of Guatemala. The treatment is provided in a caring and compassionate setting, with the emphasis on the child and their family.”
Dr. Scott Kozin | Chief of Staff, Shriners Hospitals for Children
We have a state-of-the-art facility that gives you access to everything you need so that you can do what you do best: provide healing and hope.
The Moore Center includes 3 fully equipped operating rooms, 5 PACU beds, 20 overnight recovery beds, a pharmacy, sterilization suite, nurses’ station, family waiting area, and a cafeteria. We are also in the process of constructing a desperately needed dental clinic!
Our center provides an independent space and organizational structure for visiting surgeons, local providers, and patients to coordinate operative and perioperative care. It is managed by The Shalom Foundation’s local Guatemalan staff of administrators, physicians, nurses, and ancillary service personnel. These incredible staff members provide consistency in the practice that occurs at the Center as various visiting surgical teams rotate through.
Sign Up to Host a Trip
Fill out this short form to let us know about your interest in hosting a medical mission trip to the Moore Center in Guatemala!
“Serving on medical missions’ trips at the Moore Center has been life-changing for me, both as an RN and as a person. These trips are the pinnacle of my year, every time!”
Lisa Shaw | RN, Colorado Children’s Orthopedic Group