Community Service |
Operation Walk 2025:
Mission to Guatemala
In the last week of September, a small team of our incredible staff joined the Operation Walk Pittsburgh team on a mission that changed lives, including their own.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matthew Grosso, anesthesiologist Dr. Peter Kanelos, surgical technologist Jodie Comstock, and operating room nurse Elisabeth Barrett traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, to volunteer their time and expertise. Over the course of a week, the team performed 76 hip and knee replacement surgeries, offering relief, mobility, and renewed hope to patients who might otherwise never have access to this kind of care.
Each patient’s story was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Behind every surgery was someone eager to return to walking, working, and embracing life without pain.
Operation Walk Pittsburgh is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing the gift of mobility to patients in need across Central America. Each mission trip involves a team of surgeons, nurses and other personnel who provide joint replacements and arthritis and joint health education completely free of cost. Operation Walk Pittsburgh works side by side with local surgeons, nurses and therapists to share knowledge, expertise and encourage a true cultural and medical exchange.
We’re deeply proud of Dr. Grosso, Dr. Kanelos, Jodie, and Elisabeth for representing our community with compassion, skill, and generosity. Their dedication shows the incredible impact that can happen when people come together to serve others, crossing borders, sharing knowledge, and spreading hope one patient at a time.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matthew Grosso, anesthesiologist Dr. Peter Kanelos, surgical technologist Jodie Comstock, and operating room nurse Elisabeth Barrett traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, to volunteer their time and expertise. Over the course of a week, the team performed 76 hip and knee replacement surgeries, offering relief, mobility, and renewed hope to patients who might otherwise never have access to this kind of care.
Each patient’s story was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Behind every surgery was someone eager to return to walking, working, and embracing life without pain.
Operation Walk Pittsburgh is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing the gift of mobility to patients in need across Central America. Each mission trip involves a team of surgeons, nurses and other personnel who provide joint replacements and arthritis and joint health education completely free of cost. Operation Walk Pittsburgh works side by side with local surgeons, nurses and therapists to share knowledge, expertise and encourage a true cultural and medical exchange.
We’re deeply proud of Dr. Grosso, Dr. Kanelos, Jodie, and Elisabeth for representing our community with compassion, skill, and generosity. Their dedication shows the incredible impact that can happen when people come together to serve others, crossing borders, sharing knowledge, and spreading hope one patient at a time.
