Our History

                                                                    Our History

Surgery Overseas, Inc. (SOS) is a Nonprofit Volunteer Organization dedicated to helping the indigent populations across the globe. Drawing on their medical experience Dr. Joshua Gottschall and Dr. Barry Rasgon founded Surgery Overseas. In 2010 their desire became infectious and soon we became a diverse team of medical professionals planning our first medical mission. We formed our board of directors adapted our policies, formed our website; surgeryoverseas.org, and began planning various ways we could get donations to pay for our medical supplies. Kaiser Permanente donated the use of surgical instruments for our medical missions as well as allowing us to take opened but not used medical supplies that we could sterilize and use in surgery. Organizations such as Med Share allow us to purchase supplies at a drastic discount. Working with the public allows us the opportunity to discuss our desire and dedication to help the underprivileged which in turn gives individuals the opportunity to help make a difference in others lives through donations to our missions. We have met and began planning for sponsored sporting events, hand making special occasion cards, sponsored BBQ and car wash fundraisers.   

Our first trip in 2010 was to the Republic of the Philippines, Province Of Bataan in the Municipality Of Dinalupihan. We were given the opportunity to give much needed medical care to people that have not had access to doctors or hospitals. It was a pleasure to have met such gracious thankful people.

In 2012 we traveled to Republic of the Philippines, Province of Camarines Sur in the Municipality Of Tiagon.  We saw over 550 patients in 5 days.

In 2013 we went to Quito, Ecuador and in 2016 our team will be going to Merida Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula. Mérida has the highest percentage of indigenous persons of any large city in Mexico with approximately 60% of all inhabitants being of the Maya ethnicity.

The Filipino Doctors and Nurses as well as the Nursing Students volunteer their time to work along side us by sending out announcements of our arrival, organizing the patients, helping us in Pre-op and Post-op care. The Filipino Doctors work along side our Doctors to assist them and the patients any way possible.

Kit Santana, Stephanie Santana, and Menchu are invaluable hosts for the first two missions. They arranged access to the hospitals, made the arrangements for our lodging, meals, and transportation while we were in the Philippines. Stephanie and Menchu work diligently in the hospital to make sure the patients are prescreened by local Doctors and booked for appointments. They also organize local Nurses to assist us during our mission.

Surgery Overseas, Inc. operated under the Bay Area Surgical Mission license until we received our 501 c 3 approval August 14, 2014.The board members and volunteers use their personal funds to pay for their mission expenses as well as using their vacation time to make these missions possible.

Our new dream for our future is to expand beyond the Philippines and Ecuador. One day we hope all people will have access to medical care. 

     Statistics

Overseas Missions                 3

Countries Served                    3