Surgical Outreach for the Americas

Surgical Outreach for the Americas Surgical Outreach for the Americas
Founded September 13, 2012
Co-Founders
Peggy Frisella, RN and Brent D.

Surgical Outreach for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that provides surgical serivces to the underserved in the developing countries of North, Central and South America. Matthews, MD

Mission Statement:
Surgical Outreach for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that provides surgical services to the underserved in the developing countries of North, Central and South America. SUMMARY:

Millions of people are in extreme need of compassionate health care throughout the world. In 2009, motivated out of deep personal faith and a sincere humanitarian interest, a team of healthcare providers was assembled by Brent Matthews, MD, Chairman of Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) in Raleigh, NC, and Peggy Frisella RN, Manager of Research Operations at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, with the necessary professional, culturally sensitive and personal skills to effectively serve a unique group of underserved people from the campos (rural countryside communities) in the Dominican Republic. January 2014 marked the sixth year that our surgical team traveled to the Dominican Republic to perform outpatient surgeries, primarily hernia repairs, for the underserved. The people in the Dominican Republic that we serve are primarily farmers or day laborers. Their agrarian lifestyle requires daily physical activity which can lead to abdominal wall hernias for many. This results in physical disability and an immeasurable hindrance to familial and/or community sustainability because this population of Dominicans does not have access to any organized healthcare let alone specialized services such as surgery. In December, 2013, we received our 501c3 non-profit determination from the IRS for our newly formed organization, “Surgical Outreach for the Americas” (SOFA) (https://surgicaloutreach.org/dir) . We are now able to expand our vision of bringing surgical services to a greater number of people. The need for the services we provide in the Dominican Republic is similar throughout Central and South America, due to the agrarian lifestyle of the people. It is our hope to expand our surgical outreach, primarily hernia repair, to those in need, by increasing the number of humanitarian missions each year in an effort to reach as many as possible. Our team is comprised of surgeons, resident general surgeons, support physicians, certified registered nurse anesthetists, registered nurses, and additional staff for preoperative assessment and preparation, operating room circulators, sterile processing and postanesthesia recovery. Several of the members of our mission team are fluent in Spanish, personalizing the patient-healthcare provider relationship. Our group has regular strategic planning meetings to discuss team efficiency, infrastructure needs and equipment inventory. Our goal remains steadfast to continue to increase our operative and clinic efficiency to reach as many patients as possible while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care. As this mission is realized, the patients we serve as well as the members of our healthcare team will personally benefit from these unique humanitarian experiences.

06/20/2026

Please take a moment to view Dr. Greg Arana’s interview with the Belize press!

SOfA, along with Belizean doctors, nurses, and public health technicians are participating in hands-on training in lapar...
06/19/2026

SOfA, along with Belizean doctors, nurses, and public health technicians are participating in hands-on training in laparoscopic surgery, an advanced technique the Belizean Ministry of Health and Wellness is eager to make available to patients across the country.

Registration is now open. Sign up for your table today! Can’t wait to see you there!
06/16/2026

Registration is now open.
Sign up for your table today!
Can’t wait to see you there!

SOfA, along with surgeon trainers Drs. Gregory Arana, Domenech Asbun, Gladys Tse, and Nabeel Shabout, partner with Minis...
06/09/2026

SOfA, along with surgeon trainers Drs. Gregory Arana, Domenech Asbun, Gladys Tse, and Nabeel Shabout, partner with Ministry of Health to launch laparoscopy services at Western Regional and Southern Regional hospital in Belize.

More to come on this exciting new adventure!

Visited this wonderful duo today. They are the backbone of our work in the Dominican Republic, through Creighton Univers...
06/05/2026

Visited this wonderful duo today. They are the backbone of our work in the Dominican Republic, through Creighton University ILAC Program. Jill Muegge and Kaela Volkmer you are incredible and so grateful to finally meet you in person!!

05/28/2026

We are packing for Belize. The logistics for making our trips happen are amazing. Not only do we have to get 15 medical professionals to the site, we need to get all of our supplies there too. For Belize it will take about 25-30 fully loaded large suitcases. A big shout out to our fabulous volunteer warehouse manager DIANE CARTER! Diane spends countless hours reviewing her inventory lists, ordering new material and storing it all until needed. This week she called on a few volunteers pack what’s needed for Belize. Bravo Diane! (Diane is far left in this picture)

The GiveStL campaign ends tomorrow. If you’re thinking of making a donation, please give to SOfA. Every dollar will go...
05/06/2026

The GiveStL campaign ends tomorrow. If you’re thinking of making a donation, please give to SOfA. Every dollar will go to helping people in need. Thank you!

Every year for the past 18 years impoverished people in and near Santiago, Dominican Republic, underwent surgery for various types of hernias, a common medical problem often linked to the agrarian lifestyle of our patients. This care was made possible by our dedicated...

SOfA just completed our first trip to Agape Hospital in Sansonate El Salvador. This is a new location for us- the previ...
05/03/2026

SOfA just completed our first trip to Agape Hospital in Sansonate El Salvador. This is a new location for us- the previous site closed 2 years ago. We completed 53 procedures this week. Because of YOU- our donors- hope is reaching those who need it most. Thank you!

04/30/2026

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12211 Blackheath Court
St. Louis, MO
63141

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