"Smile is a language that doesn't need to translate, spread it among you, it is a kind of charity that doesn't cost you." -Carissa Aydaa Sharing smiles with you this Saturday morning.... #SaturdaySunshine
Today's #FlashbackFriday comes from the late Dr. Alfredo Ceballos. Dr. Ceballos worked side by side Dr. Dorr, Jeri Ward, and Mary Ellen Sieben to form a partnership between CIMEQ hospital and Operation Walk since its inception in 1997. We are thankful for having known this incredible man and thankful for everything he has done to help make each mission to Havana a success. "You leave and we stay. But when you go know that a piece of you, stays with us. Thank you for the attention and care you have given us these past twenty years. You have changed our lives forever-safe travels until we see each other once again." ~Dr. Alfredo Ceballos Former Corrdinator CIMEQ Havana, Cuba
So happy we get to be a part of our patient's recovery and see the beautiful smiles on their faces #thankfulthursday #mobility4all
"Embarking on a mission trip to General Santos City, South Cotobato, Philippines to perform free Total Hip and Knee Replacement surgeries fills me with unparalleled excitement and purpose. There's an undeniable joy in giving back to a community in need, in embodying generosity beyond measure, and in prioritizing the welfare of others above oneself. Working alongside a team dedicated to this cause amplifies the impact, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared mission. I want to thank the almost 60 people who gave up their personal time and paid their own way to get there, as well as the local Filipino team who is making things possible for us to help patients in need. The challenges of operating in new territories only heighten our resourcefulness. We are pushed to creatively utilize the tools and materials at hand to deliver quality care. The importance of teamwork in Operation Walk cannot be overstated. In this endeavor, every incision represents not just a medical procedure, but a gesture of hope and solidarity, illustrating the profound beauty of compassion in action." @trish.lindsey Team Leader Operation Walk Los Angeles #mondaymotivation
Our #Mobility4All program offers eligible riders a 50% discount on any Metrolink ticket or pass. To qualify for the discount, riders must possess a valid EBT card issued by the state of California. No further application is needed. #takethetrain Metrolink is proudly committed to providing safe, affordable and equitable transportation for all. For more information, please visit the link in our bio.
#UrbanHralth #Mobility4All ‘Here everybody drives.’ Actually, not. Even in wealthier areas, 1 of 3 people do not drive. How can these people live in cities built for cars? Why are they still done for cars?. Safe walk, bike, public transit, should be a human right. Everywhere.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, we celebrate mother and daughter team, Paulette Labinpuno RN and Kaitlyn Martinez PTA. Paulette and Kaitlyn traveled with our team to Arusha, Tanzania this past summer and experienced volunteering together for the first time. Read more about how this mission made a lasting impact on them both. Read more about their journey by clicking the link in our bio and heading to the news section. #mothersday2024
Every action, each moment, counts towards the greater good. ❤️ #WednesdayWisdom
Did you know that on each Operation Walk mission, our doctors share the most advanced knowledge of joint replacement surgery? Each team member teaches while working side-by-side with anesthetists, surgeons, internists, nurses in the operating room, on the floor or recovery room, in physical therapy, and during the central sterilization of instruments. During #teacherappreciationweek we recognize each of our volunteers for using their time and talents not only to help patients regain mobility but also for sharing their skill and knowledge with the colleagues around the world. #teamworktuesday
Happy Nurses Week! Celebrating our fabulous nurses, not only May 6th through the 12th, but every day throughout the year! Our nurses are the backbone of Operation Walk, often the first ones to the hospital in the morning and the last ones to leave at night. We couldn't help our patients regain their mobility without their tireless dedication ❤️. #nationalnursesday
Swedish below: Exciting news! The Mentor Me project's multiplier event was successfully held on May 1st at the Vänersborg Intercultural Center.📍 It has been an amazing experience sharing and disseminating the outcomes of our project with stakeholders and community members. During the event, we presented research findings on organizations offering voluntary service programs in Sweden and other EU countries, along with informative kits. 📝📝 We were honored to host representatives from European Commission and the European Parliament, who shared their valuable insights and experiences. We thank everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this event. #mentorme #mobility4all Migration_miteinander IFYD Lighthouse Relief Pistes Solidaires Progestión Ciac ………………… Swedish Spännande nyheter! Mentor Me-projektets evenemang framgångsrikt implementerat den 1 maj Vänersborg Interkulturella centrum 📍 Det har varit en fantastisk upplevelse att dela och sprida resultaten av vårt projekt med intressenter och samhällsmedlemmar. Vid evenemanget presenterade vi forskningsresultat om organisationer som erbjuder volontärtjänstprogram i Sverige och andra EU-länder, tillsammans med informativa verkligen . 📝📝 Vi fick äran att ta emot representanter från Europeiska kommissionen och Europaparlamentet, som delade med sig av sina värdefulla insikter och erfarenheter. Ett hjärtligt tack till alla som bidragit till att detta evenemang lyckades. Ditt deltagande gjorde det verkligen minnesvärt!
“Life is worth living as long as there's a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables Nothing can lift the mood, increase a bond, or put someone at ease like sharing a laugh. Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday, may it be filled with light, laughter, and love. ❤️ #FlashbackFriday
On this #ThankfulThursday, we thank @americares for over 16 years of support. Americares provides implants and soft goods for medical non-profit organizations around the globe. Their directive is to collect donations of supplies from the industry and then distribute it for medical missions. Thank you again for providing this important resource to not only Operation Walk teams, but countless other groups who are changing lives every day, one surgery at a time!
It's the first of the month and that means it is time for some good news, updates, and latest on our #OpWalkFamily. Click the link in our bio and head to the newsletter section to read about our preparations for our upcoming mission, new volunteer faces, and patient stories from the #Philippines. You'll also find stories on our OpWalk Angels and a salute to moms everywhere in celebration of Mother's Day.
It takes all types of individuals to create and maintain a team. Today we thank donors who belong to our Angel group. Through their philanthropy and volunteerism, they make the life-changing joint replacement surgery patients receive possible. Many of these women not only donate yearly to our mission but volunteer their time and talents as well. Thank you for leading by example and showing what a group of like-minded people can do to change the world of our patients and their families. #teamworktuesday
Please help us make a difference: Operation Walk's trained team of health care professionals return patients with disabling joint disease to a more normal lifestyle. Patients are often confined to a wheel chair, crutches or dependent on someone else just to walk a short distance. The gift of a new hip or knee joint from the Operation Walk team can make a significant difference to those who can't perform such everyday tasks as walking, climbing stairs, or tying their shoelaces without pain. Click on the link in our bio to change a life, bring new hope to a family, and to bring positive change to communities around the world. As always, thank you for your support. #mondaymotivation
Our #Mobility4All program offers eligible riders a 50% discount on any Metrolink ticket or pass. To qualify for the discount, riders must possess a valid EBT card issued by the state of California. No further application is needed. #takethetrain Metrolink is proudly committed to providing safe, affordable and equitable transportation for all. For more information, please visit the link in our bio.
Happy #ArborDay! We wanted to share a few photos of the celebration we shared with our colleagues at CIMEQ in Havana, Cuba in 2019. 28 years ago, Operation Walk went on its very first mission to CIMEQ and planted an oak tree to commemorate the occasion. In 1997, we visited the oak and planted another to mark the anniversary of our partnership. CIMEQ and Havana will always be our home away from home. #FlashbackFriday #OPWalkLA4CUBA #Mobility4all
During today's #ThankfulThursday we wanted to share Marilyn Dorr's heartfelt message to all of our Angels. Thank you for being the cornerstone of our mission to restore mobility. "Thank you all for being an Angel. We could not survive without your generosity and willingness to help change patients' lives, one surgery at a time. We're currently preparing for our mission to the #Philippines. Thanks to your support, we will be able to fulfill our promise of help and healing to those patients. We plan to carry our mission into 2025 and for years to come. Thank you for caring for those who have dreams but not the finances to meet them." Sincerely, Marilyn Dorr, CFO Operation Walk Los Angeles
Many thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the Angels this afternoon. To our hostess, Marilyn Dorr, guest speakers, and volunteers; thank you for making this event such a success.
Our annual Angels’ Luncheon is underway. Stay tuned for updates, more about our Angels, and more photos! #operationwalkangels
#TeamWorkTuesday- When our patients come back from the OR, every person lends a hand: anesthesiologists, RN's, doctors, interpreters, X-Ray technicians, even a photographer now and then. Our patients' comfort and care is most important. This #nationalvolunteerweek we thank each and every one of our volunteers for giving their time and talents to make these life changing surgeries possible. Click on the link in our bio to learn how you can help us on our mission to restore mobility.
Today kicks off the Points of Light #NationalVolunteerWeek! This week we'll be recognizing the contributions and dedication of the people who make up the heart of our organization, our amazing team of volunteers! Each individual gives up their vacation time, time with family, and time at work to travel with us on our missions to #RestoreMobility. Long hours, little sleep, and jet lag doesn't stop these volunteers from giving the very best patient care there is. Many thanks from the bottom of our heart. #nationalvolunteerweek2024
Looking into our "way back" machine this #saturdaymorning to our patients in China during our 2005 mission trip. Have a wonderful weekend, friends. Don't forget to smile 😄 #saturdaysmiles
#ThankfulThursday Wed like to take time to say thank you to one of our long time donors, @zimmer_biomet This organization has demonstrated industry leadership through their corporate giving, benefiting patients who would not otherwise receive orthopaedic care, including support for charitable organizations and professional medical education. We're proud to have Zimmer Biomet as a partner in helping us on our mission to relieve joint diseases and restore mobility both around the world and here at home in the United States. Zimmer-Biomet works with Americares to supply hip and knee implants to the teams of Operation Walk and other organizations that provide orthopaedic surgery to those who otherwise could not afford it. All implants donated are equal to those we use here in our own hospitals and will last our patients for many years. Thank you again for your long term support and we look forward to many more years of providing mobility.
“Be Brave and Take Risks: You need to have faith in yourself. Be brave and take risks. You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward.” ― Roy T. Bennett Taking that first step into a new life can be a mix of emotions; uncertainty, hesitation, fear, excitement, anticipation, and ultimately joy. Our volunteers are are there to help navigate these feelings both physically and mentally during a patient's recovery. #wednesdaywisdom
“Everybody’s got the same mission, everybody’s got the same idea to get the work done,” said Gilbert. “We are grateful for every little thing that everybody does, both on the trips and in helping us raise the money to do this.” -Dr. Paul Gilbert co-medical director Operation Walk Los Angeles #teamworktuesday
As we gear up for our mission to the #Philippines, we've received requests from locals and their families. These requests describe hardworking people whose lives have been interrupted by joint disease. One such individual is Jeffrey Busog. His wife wrote to us in January with the hope that her husband could be considered as a potential patient for at our partner hospital in General Santos City. Team Leader, Lisa Fujimoto PA, coordinated with hospital administrators to place on the screening list. Jeffrey will be evaluated, like all potential patients, orthopedically and medically to see if he qualifies for surgery. Click the link in our bio and head to our news section to read his story. . #mondaymotivation
Our #Mobility4All program offers eligible riders a 50% discount on any Metrolink ticket or pass. To qualify for the discount, riders must possess a valid EBT card issued by the state of California. No further application is needed. #takethetrain Metrolink is proudly committed to providing safe, affordable and equitable transportation for all. For more information, please visit the link in our bio.
“We change the world a little each day with our kindness.” ~ Tom Giaquinto #saturdaythoughts
Today's #FlashbackFriday looks back to our 2018 mission to Managua, Nicaragua and focuses on a quote from one of our patients who received the gift of joint replacement surgery, helping her return to work and regain her independence. "Thank you very much for the help you give us for this operation. May God bless you greatly and continue to bless your life. Please continue to help. Kisses and hugs from Nicaragua." -Xiomara
Today's #ThrowbackThursday comes from volunteer, Cathy Kinard. Thank you Cathy for sharing this beautiful memory. 5 years ago with my beautiful patient, Valentina, in Havana, Cuba. I would be so re-energized to do it all again one day.💜 Love and gratitude to Operation Walk--my chance to restore mobility....before I had to restore my own. This is my beautiful Valentina. She connected with me while I prepared her for surgery five years ago. As a French professor she spoke perfect English, and helped translate for other patients for us while waiting her turn for surgery. She received a scholarship for the Sorbonne as a young woman. She laughed and kept us entertained during her stay and said...'When I was a younger woman I was quite the dish!' After surgery she continued to thank me repeatedly for the care and love...telling Jeri, I want everyone's contact information, and I love Cathy! -Cathy Kinard RN Cuba 2019
"We all went into healthcare to give back and Operation Walk is giving in its purest form. We plan to keep transforming the world one person at a time." -Dr. John Kumar #WednesdayWisdom
Today's #TeamworkTuesday celebrates the Baldwins. This family has supported Operation Walk since its beginnings and continues to give back to the mission to restore mobility in unique ways. #ourvolunteersrock
Our #mondaymotivation? Our Angels. Click the link in our bio and head to the news section to find out how you can join this group of philanthropists and change lives through joint replacement surgery.
Celebrating #WorldHealthDay. Working together our team of dedicated volunteers help to relieve joint disease here in the United States and around the world. With restored mobility comes independence, confidence, and hope for the future.
#SaturdaySmiles for miles.... The moment you take the first step into your new life is cause for celebration. We love marking these small victories with our patients. ❤️
Walking into the weekend like a boss.... Wednesday was #NationalWalkingDay but we're still on a roll Get out there this weekend and enjoy a stroll! We're happy to be able to restore mobility to those who need it most around the world and to give them the opportunity of freedom of movement, without pain and restrictions. Want to help others regain their mobility? Click the link I our bio and help someone get back outside!
For today's #thankfulthursday, we wanted to share the latest update from Sarina Parks, student volunteer, and her campaign to collect Durable Medical Equipment for our upcoming mission to the #Philippines this summer. This girl is amazing! "Hello Everyone, I wanted to give you an update on DME collection efforts. Since our last communication, in addition to the VHH outpatient Orthopedic clinic and VHH Physical Medicine & Rehab center, we’ve added one more collection site: Saint Dominic Savio Church in the city of Bellflower (close to my mom’s work). With everyone’s help, so far we have collected 62 crutches, 48 walkers, 29 canes, 14 ankle boots, 9 wheelchairs, and 6 knee braces. A total of 168 pieces of donated items! Special thanks to Dr. Gilbert, Ms. Sullivan (Director of Physical Medicine and Rehab at VHH) and Rev. Michael Gergen (St. Dominic Savio Church) who have made this collection possible." Sincerely, Sarina
It's a new month and that means it's time for an Operation Walk Los Angeles update! Read the April addition and meet a family that has volunteering and giving back to the community as a central goal, see the latest on prospective patients, volunteers, and preparation for our 2024 mission to the #Philippines, learn about how you can change a life by becoming and Angel and more! Just click the link in our bio and head to the newsletter section.
"It's amazing how a group of people can come together and provide care to patients when compassion and the desire to help are the roots of the cause. Operation Walk is a reminder of just that.” -Jennifer Okuno Physical Therapist Long-Time Volunteer #teamworktuesday
Our #Mobility4All program offers eligible riders a 50% discount on any Metrolink ticket or pass. To qualify for the discount, riders must possess a valid EBT card issued by the state of California. No further application is needed. #takethetrain Metrolink is proudly committed to providing safe, affordable and equitable transportation for all. For more information, please visit the link in our bio.
Taking a moment to appreciate the amazing women who volunteer with Operation Walk Los Angeles. Many of these amazing ladies have been sharing their time and talents with us for almost two decades. As #WomensHistoryMonth comes to a close, we thank them for their dedication to both their chosen professions and to our organization. #womeninmedicine
Happy #InternationalDoctorsDay! Today is dedicated to recognizing our physicians for their commitment and exceptional health care.The date was first observed in 1933 by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, to express appreciation for the lifesaving work of doctors everywhere. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush recognized the numerous contributions of physicians by formally designating March 30th as National Doctor’s Day. The day is traditionally celebrated by sending a written expression of gratitude to a physician and also through the display of red carnations, the symbolic flower of Doctor’s Day. Help us to celebrate the doctors who volunteer their time and talents for Operation Walk. Our surgeons, internal medicine doctors, and anesthesiologists are vital to returning the mobility and independence our patients need to get back to work, help to support their families, and be valuable members of their communities. Our heartfelt thanks to you all ❤️.
Today's #wellnesswednesday shoutout goes to our amazing patients who have worked tirelessly in rehabilitation to make a full recovery after surgery. Their dedication and determination are an inspiration to us all. We're so proud to have been a part of their journey to better health.
It's #TeamworkTuesday and we want to celebrate the work that goes on behind the scenes before, during, and after each OpWalk mission trip. Each trip requires our volunteers to acquire, sort, package, and then distribute tons of cargo to make each surgery possible. During the mission, there's paperwork to complete, medications, to sort, count, and distribute and crutches, canes, walkers, and shoes to give to our patients for their recovery. After the mission, our instruments, OR equipment, and unused implants return home and get sorted and stored for the next mission. Then the process starts all over again! Thank you volunteers for giving your time and talents all year-round to keep OPWalk running like a well-oiled machine.
"Operation Walk is about the people to people connection". -Mary Ellen Sieben #mondaytruths
Each step, no matter how small, is a step forward into health, independence, and a new life. #FlashbackFriday-Nicaragua 2018
These women are an inspiration. Join us in our mission to provide direct patient care and support during Operation Walk missions by becoming an Angel today. Join now and you receive an invitation to our annual Angel Luncheon, an event not to be missed! Click on the link in our bio to learn more about our Angel program and consider being a part of this philanthropic sisterhood. #opwalkangels😇
Need some #MondayMotivation? Go no further than the Holsbeke family. Thank you Matt, Sandy, Sierra, and Juliana for sharing your time, talents, and heart with Operation Walk. Click on the link in our bio and head to our news section to read more.
On the #FlashbackFriday, let's take a look at our patient, Armando, and his progress since receiving bilateral knee surgery in April 0f 2022. Thank you to Armando and his family for sharing his journey. We love having you as part of our #opwalkfamily. Click on the link in our bio and head to our news section to read more.
Dr. Dorr on seeing his patients walk for the first time, pain free. #WednesdayWisdom #Mobility4all #wellnesswednesday
Patient Updates From Innocent and Amina: We wanted to share progress from two patients operated on during our 2023 mission to Arusha, Tanzania. Both Innocent and Amina are doing well and finding a rhythm to their lives after joint replacement surgery. Click on the link in our bio for the latest! #mondaymotivation
The "selfie" has become an important part of our time with patients on the floor. It's a unique way to create a memory for both patients and volunteers....and it is a lot of fun. #saturdaysunshine
There is always a reason that other people are put in our paths... When you change a life, you just might be changing your own. #wednesdaywisdom
The Youth Movement Continues: Introducing Student Volunteer, Isabela Umali-Grawe. Click on the link in our bio and head to our News Section to read how this young volunteer is balancing her education with real world experience as she joins OpWalk on its mission to the #Philippines this summer. #TeamworkTuesday
Team leaders, Lisa Fujimoto Yamaguchi PA and Trish Lindsey RN visited the Philippines consulate in Los Angeles to coordinate any paperwork and requirements for our mission. Volunteers met at the warehouse a few weeks ago to review plans, procedures, and identify any issues that still need to be addressed. Our PACU staff sorted medications for post-operative care. Many thanks to the below volunteers who gave their time to continue to make this mission possible! The team continues to work on ordering medications and tabulating existing supplies as well as securing sponsorships for transportation, lodging, and meals while our team is in the Philippines. If you are interested in a sponsorship of any the above items, please contact Lisa Fujimoto Yamaguchi at [email protected].
Our #Mobility4All program offers eligible riders a 50% discount on any Metrolink ticket or pass. To qualify for the discount, riders must possess a valid EBT card issued by the state of California. No further application is needed. #takethetrain Metrolink is proudly committed to providing safe, affordable and equitable transportation for all. For more information, please visit the link in our bio.
Want a good book to curl up with this weekend? Want to know more about the beginnings of Operation Walk? Would you like to help provide joint replacement surgeries? We've got you covered. Click the link in our bio and head to the About/Our Story section on our website to get your copy of Next Step: Hope, the Story of Operation Walk by our founder Lawrence D. Dorr MD. Learn about how our organization started, how it has grown, and the lives it has touched. Each book purchased helps us to continue our mission of restoring mobility around the world.
"Dog transport in PT should be for free, everywhere" thinks Lumpi #publictransport #dog #freetravel #geizistgeil #mobility4all #bus #terrier #terrierliebe
"We went into healthcare to give back and Operation Walk is giving in its purest form. We plan to keep transforming the world one person at a time." -Dr. John Kumar #wednesdaywisdom
It's #teamworktuesday and we want you to be a part of something special. Our Operation Walk Angels are a group of women and men philanthropists who go the extra mile to support the most important part of our missions-patients. Their yearly donation makes sure that each patient not only receives the joint replacement surgery they so desperately need but also have needs met beyond the OR. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about the Angel Program this week. In the meantime, click on the link below to learn more about this vital program and how you can join us.
Congratulations to volunteers from Kaiser Permanente on earning the David Lawrence Community Service Award for outstanding volunteer action. This award, named in honor of Dr. David Lawrence former CEO of Kaiser Permanente and lifelong advocate of improving health worldwide, recognizes individuals and groups that demonstrate extraordinary efforts to improve the health of local communities and beyond. We are so proud of the dedication, purpose, and compassion that our volunteers carry with them during each mission. Click the link in our bio and then head to the news section to read more. #mondaymotivation
"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." – Booker T. Washington Together we can accomplish so much. #teamworktuesday
"A good laugh is a mighty good thing, a rather too scarce a good thing." — Herman Melville Laughter helps us to connect to one another-in any language. Share a laugh with someone today. 🙂 #mondaythoughts
Our #Mobility4All program offers eligible riders a 50% discount on any Metrolink ticket or pass. To qualify for the discount, riders must possess a valid EBT card issued by the state of California. No further application is needed. #takethetrain Metrolink is proudly committed to providing safe, affordable and equitable transportation for all. For more information, please visit the link in our bio.
We're finishing out this week of love, compassion, and kindness by celebrating the couples that volunteer their time and talent to support Operation Walk. These pairs give vacation time, donate funds and supplies and when on a mission, often spend hours apart working in different areas of our partner hospitals. To quote Dr. Paul Gilbert, "Operation Walk is love." These partners both in life and in service exemplify this thought. Thank you, dedicated volunteers, for making our mission to restore mobility possible. #mobility4all
The moment when families are reunited with their loved ones after surgery. Priceless. #ThrowbackThursday-Antigua, Guatemala 2017
#HappyValentinesDay! Much love to you all today and every day. Thank you for being a part of the OpWalk family. ❤️ Be our Valentine today and help us change lives during our 2024 mission to the #Philippines. Click on the link in our bio to donate and help our patients find restored mobility and independence. Thank you for your support!
February is a month of love and #GalentinesDay fits right in. February 13 is designed to celebrate important relationships in our lives: our girlfriends! It's a time to bring together the ladies in our lives we love most. In honor of this special day, we celebrate our hard working ladies who are the apples of our eye! These women donate their time and talents to help restore mobility around the world. Thank you all for your dedication, hard work, compassion and heart ❤️.
It's time for some #mondaymotivation... Read our latest Patient Update featuring Juliana Kasenba. This past summer during our recent mission to Arusha, Tanzania, we had the honor of meeting Juliana and her daughter, Josepha. Find out how the gift of mobility has changed their lives by clicking on the link on the link in our bio and heading to our news section. Many thanks to both Juliana and Josepha for sharing their story
A couple of radiant smiles to start your Saturday morning. #SaturdaySmiles 😊❤️😊