ConnectMed

ConnectMed provide sustainable, multidisciplinary medical care to individuals in need by rethinking the traditional “medical mission” model.  The traditional model of independently performing surgeries at a resource-poor site for a fixed period of time may not allow patients the proper follow-up care or access to specialists that they need for full recovery. Nor does it strengthen or empower the local health care community. 

Instead, we work only in partnership with skilled health care professionals already practicing in underserved communities.  Together we provide high-quality surgical care and multidisciplinary follow-up care to local patients. We identify and provide the resources needed the most for ongoing multidisciplinary care -  additional training, medical supplies, extra hands from our team of medical volunteers, and telemedicine technologies for remote consultations with patients and providers.  In this way, care continues after our “mission trip” has ended.

 Our focus is on children and young adults with congenital and acquired anomalies, such as cleft lip/palate and burns.  Successful treatment requires numerous surgeries, and extensive follow-up from a team of specialists.  Many patients have received only part of the procedures that they need or have not received proper follow-up care, and are often worse off than before medical intervention.

 ConnectMed has developed medical and educational partnerships in Tijuana, Tecate, Tuxtla and Mexico City (Mexico), Lilongwe (Malawi) and Saigon, Hue and Nam Dong (Vietnam).  All of the surgeries, follow-up care and educational opportunities are provided free of charge to our partner sites.  All of our medical team volunteer, including our President and Founder Dr. Amanda Gosman, Pediatric Plastic Surgery Chief at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego and UCSD.