Medical Missions to Peru
Our mission is to be a lighthouse for Christ through a medical ministry in the Peruvian Amazon region of South America.
There is an incredible need for medical and surgical care for the community of Pucallpa. Did you know that only five small hospitals in Pucallpa serve a population of about 500,000 persons. Not to mention the infant mortality rate is 30 per 1000 people and there are 39 physicians to every 1,000 people. As if the need were not problematic enough, the district hospitals providing initial treatment to these patients are not equipped with the funding, resources, or expertise necessary to treat severe injuries. Scalpel sends team members for 10 days at a time to provide surgical and medical attention to the community. We travel 3-4 times a year but couldn’t do it without the help of volunteers like you. This is an extension of the gospel, we see what it is to use physical healing and service as a parallel to spiritual healing and faith, and how to use physical help to share about spiritual hope! If you are hesitant and want to learn more read our FAQ. If you are moved to travel with us submit a questionnaire and we will be in touch.
Serving with Scalpel at the Cross in Pucallpa is a transforming experience for all involved. In a paradoxical way, as we transform the bodies of children who have deformities or adults with post traumatic sequelae, we are transformed into more Christ-like beings. With all the layers of work and patient demands, insurance companies, the business of medicine, and the many distractions we face in modern western medicine, serving the beautiful people of Peru feels like the closest example of what I meant when I said, “I want to help people in their suffering” when I was asked the question, “Why do you want to go into medicine?” during my medical school interviews so many years ago.
From pre-campaign preparation to real time campaign execution, the team was simply extraordinary. Every single patient was treated as a whole person; considering their mind, body, and spirit from assessment in the clinic to the surgery to the post-operative plan. The entire team shared a united vision to not only repair injuries, but restore function. As an orthopaedic surgical resident, I aspire to this kind of approach in my future medical practice and I consider this experience a crucial part of my training as a future orthopaedic surgeon. I am humbled to have been a small part of the health care provided in Pucallpa for a week.
I am passionate about orthopedics, systems, and helping people. SATC allows me to combine these loves and work with American and Peruvian partners in service to the Peruvian people. Over the 14 years that I have been involved, it has been very rewarding to watch Scalpel grow in size, scope, and impact.
“…I love that I’ve met so many from around the U.S. (and beyond!) through SATC. Experiencing a campaign – There’s a job for everyone. Regardless of your background, it is sure to be a meaningful experience where you genuinely feel connection, community, and impact.”
“Being able to bring hope to so many hopeless people, was amazing. Learning the missionaries stories and how they were brought to where they are now was very interesting.”
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