Volunteering at FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital: Transforming Lives in Ghana

Recently, a dedicated team of Duke Orthopaedics faculty members—Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD, clinical associate of Orthopaedic Surgery; Co-Section Head, CDHIP; Tyler Pidgeon, MD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; and Dave Ruch, MD, Virginia Flowers Baker Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Hand, Wrist, and Upper Extremity Division Chief—traveled to Accra, Ghana, to volunteer at The Foundation of Orthopaedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS) Orthopaedic Hospital. Their mission was to provide care and expertise, working alongside local surgeons and residents to perform complex upper extremity surgeries and exchange vital knowledge.

Dr. Pidgeon reflected on the experience, stating, “At Duke, we are blessed to provide patients with world-class care using world-class resources. At FOCOS Orthopedic Hospital, Ghanaian surgeons deliver world-class care with whatever resources are available. Training, knowledge, skill, and determination allow us to do more for patients with less.” This highlights the incredible resilience and resourcefulness of the local medical teams.

The Mission of FOCOS

FOCOS is a non-profit organization established in 1998 to enhance access to high-quality, affordable orthopaedic care, primarily in Ghana and the broader African region. Founded by Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, a prominent specialist in treating spinal deformities, FOCOS began with annual medical mission trips to address the pressing orthopaedic needs of patients in Ghana.

Through the support of over 250 international volunteers and partnerships with local hospitals, FOCOS has provided free evaluations and performed hundreds of complex spinal surgeries for adult and pediatric patients. Recognizing the need for a permanent facility to meet the community's healthcare demands, Dr. Boachie-Adjei envisioned a sustainable solution providing high-quality orthopaedic care to underserved populations.

Dr. Yaw Boachie-Adjei shared, "Participating in this medical mission trip has profoundly impacted my outlook on my career as a surgeon. The experience of providing critical care to underserved communities abroad renewed my passion for medicine and reminded me of the profound difference we, as medical practitioners, can make in people's lives. Witnessing patients' resilience and gratitude firsthand deepened my empathy and compassion. This has led to stronger connections with my patients back home. Moreover, collaborating with international healthcare professionals expanded my skillset and exposed me to innovative approaches, enhancing my expertise. The ability to teach them also provided a good exchange of knowledge and skills. I hope to continue to valuable work in the future."

FOCOS ortho group

The Journey to Establish a Hospital

In 2005, FOCOS acquired the Watson House, converting it into a medical clinic to facilitate outpatient care, including pre- and post-operative surgical evaluations. This facility marked a significant step forward but was merely a starting point. By 2008, FOCOS aimed to develop a world-class hospital dedicated to orthopaedic care.

Thanks to relentless efforts and generous contributions from private donors worldwide, FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital opened its doors in 2012. This state-of-the-art facility features two operating theaters, a recovery room, a physiotherapy center, an orthotics lab, and a radiology and MRI center. It is the only facility in West Africa and plays a critical role in the region's healthcare infrastructure.

FOCOS surgery
(l to r) Dave Ruch, MD and Tyler Pidgeon, MD performing a procedure

Transforming Lives

The FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital treats a full range of spinal and joint deformities that would otherwise go untreated. With the support of dedicated staff, volunteers, and generous donors, FOCOS is committed to transforming patients' lives, helping them to "STAND TALL" and restoring their quality of life—one patient at a time.

Through initiatives like this, FOCOS continues to exemplify the power of collaboration in medicine, demonstrating that with determination and ingenuity, high-quality care can be delivered even in resource-limited settings. As the team returned from Ghana, they carried valuable experiences and a renewed commitment to improving orthopaedic care globally.

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