The Difference You Made in 2025
IN MEMORY OF
Robert Sumner, D.D.S
12/26/1932 - 10/4/2025
We were saddened this year by the death of our founder, Robert Sumner, D.D.S., or “Dr. Bob” as he was affectionately called by the Manos Amigas staff. While we mourn the loss of an extraordinary man, we also celebrate a life lived in profound service to others—a life that transformed countless lives in Honduras and inspired so many of us to follow his example. In that spirit, we are honored to share with you the difference your support has made in 2025.
You have enabled the Manos Amigas clinic to be open 6 days a week with a staff of skilled and compassionate Honduran healthcare providers and support members. This year, we expect more than 16,000 patient visits.
10,000 medical patient visits for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, urinary tract infections, high cholesterol, gastritis, and bronchitis.
3,200 dental patient visits for examinations and cleanings, fillings, reconstruction, root canals, sealants, and orthodontics.
3,000 eye patient visits for eye exams and glasses, and treatment for astigmatisms, cataracts, strabismus, glaucoma, myopia, and pterygium.
6,000 prescriptions filled
10,000 lab tests for 3,500 patients
350 x-rays
Your support also provided equipment and supplies to ensure brigades could deliver the specialized care needed in the community. This year, we had 6 brigades serve at the Manos Amigas clinic: Wake Forest School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology (January and May), Blue Sky Surgical (February), Vision Health International (March), Hernia Help (September), Chester County Oral Surgery (September).
Wake Forest
Wake Forest teams were in residence at Manos Amigas in January and May of 2025. There were 77 cataract surgeries performed in January. During the May visit, the team performed both phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgeries. A total of 65 surgeries with five laser procedures were performed. Serving at the Crossroads purchased the video camera adapter for the operating microscope so team members could watch and learn.
Vision Health International
Long-term partner, Vision Health International served at Manos Amigas March in March. The VHI team focused on strabismus surgery, a procedure that corrects eye alignment. Together with support from Manos Amigas staff, the team performed 30 eye exams, 28 surgeries, and gave free prescription glasses and sunglasses to those in need.
Blue Sky Surgical
Blue Sky Surgical under the leadership of Dr. Seth Newman, Dr. Ryan Shadis, and Dr. Gerry Cleary, returned February 23-28. They had been at the clinic in September of 2024 and couldn’t wait to come back. The 27-member team performed 38 surgeries at Manos Amigas and offered primary care for 440 adults and children at the village of Lorena, partnering with Summit in Honduras. Additionally, we are grateful to Blue Sky for bringing Manos Amigas physician, Dr. David Pacheco, to the United States for a week of professional development. Blue Sky team members came from Jefferson Abington, Main Line Health, and Penn Medicine hospitals in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Hernia Help
For the first time, we partnered with Hernia Help to increase our capacity for hernia repairs at Manos Amigas. Team members came from UCLA Health and Columbia University. This brigade was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jarrod Kaufman who passed away suddenly in January. At the time, we were working with Jarrod in planning this brigade. We are grateful that Dr. David Chen, Dr. Yuri Novitsky, and Dr. Justin Wagner of Hernia Help, along with Jarrod’s wife Rachael, stepped in to continue Jarrod’s efforts. This team not only performed 72 surgeries, but shared knowledge and surgical techniques with three Honduran surgeons.
Chester County Oral Surgery
In September, long-time volunteer Dr. Jim Gustainis and his assistant Judith Tapia performed 73 oral surgery procedures on 40 patients.
Dr. Marlon Tabora Joins Manos Amigas Staff
Dr. Marlon completed his medical studies in October and in November “came home” to Manos Amigas as a physician. Marlon was often seen around Manos Amigas when he was in elementary school as his father worked at the clinic. In high school, he began interpreting for medical brigades and was inspired to study medicine. We are happy to have Marlon back at Manos Amigas. And, in the small world category — When Marlon visited Manos Amigas in September, he found his Chief Resident and one of his medical school instructors training at the clinic with the Hernia Help brigade.
