International Relief Effort
Dr. Chris Gonzalez, MD, MBA - Coordinator
The Department of Urology has established an international surgical relief program, the goal of which is to deliver quality treatment of genitourinary disease in underdeveloped countries around the world. Each year a team of department attendings, residents, and nursing staff is assembled for the purpose of providing surgical care for the people of various areas in the world.
Industrial and private contributions support these missions by providing the required equipment, supplies, medications, and instruments needed. The significance of these trips is readily apparent. For example, it has been estimated that there are over 2,000 adults and children in Honduras waiting for urologic surgery. Despite the obvious need, however, the Northwestern group is the first group of American urologists to provide care within the country (according to Honduran regional authorities). For a complete list of trips from over the years, please see below.
For more information about this program, or if you would like to become involved, please contact the program coordinator, Dr. Chris Gonzalez, at cgonzalez@nmff.org.
International Relief Trips
Inaugural trip, 2001 - San Pedro Sula, Hondouras
2002 - San Pedro Sula, Hondouras
2003 - San Pedro Sula, Hondouras
2004 - Casablanca, Morocoo (inconjunction with the Chicago Sister Cities program, founded 1960 by Mayor Richard M. Daley)
2005 - Quito, Ecuador
2006 - Hangzhou, China
2009 - San Blas, Sinaloa, Mexico
2010 - San Blas, Sinaloa, Mexico
