Thank you to our incredible volunteers, partners, and generous donors who made the 61 surgeries performed in Hermosillo, Mexico, last week possible. Because of you, futures are brighter.
The work doesn’t stop there. On Thursday, another CSI team departs for Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, where they’ll provide pediatric ENT and urology surgeries and continue hands-on training with our local colleagues.
Our last day of surgeries in Hermosillo marks a milestone for 8 teens who are receiving rhinoplasty surgery — the final stage of their cleft care journey. Many of these young people have grown up with our team, returning year after year for each step of their surgical care. Seeing them reach this final stage is a moment of immense pride and joy — for them, their families, and the volunteers who have been part of their journey. The team heads home tomorrow!
This week, some healing came in pairs: two sets of siblings received surgeries — another beautiful reminder of the trust families place in our team and partners.
💜 Sisters first: On Sunday, Merari received speech surgery, and little sister Melissa had bilateral cleft surgery — both with Dr. Brianne Roby.
💙 Then the brothers: Jesús had his palate repaired on Sunday by Dr. Andrew Scott, and on Monday, Gael had surgery with Dr. Michael Fritz.
Ivana was Dr. Sampson’s third patient of the day. She received a bone graft to support her developing jaw, followed by an intermediate rhinoplasty from Dr. Scott to straighten her nose and provide structure until her cleft rhinoplasty can be performed.
Children with cleft conditions often require multiple surgeries as their faces and jaws grow, making access to ongoing care essential. Together with our partners, CSI is proud to provide this comprehensive care in Mexico — care that meets or exceeds U.S. standards — giving children like Ivana the healthy, confident futures they deserve. ✨
Transformation is happening in Hermosillo! Twenty children, ranging in age from 4 months to 13 years, are receiving life-changing surgery at no cost to their families today.
Among them is 1-year-old Jesús (pictured in the first two photos). Eight years ago, our team repaired his brother’s cleft lip. Today, Dr. Brianne Roby is operating on Jesús, who was born with a cleft lip and palate — a powerful testament to the trust we've built and our commitment to these families.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, our partners, and the generosity of supporters who believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. 💙
Today was a life-changing day for Erika — a woman we met last year when she brought her daughter for surgery. During that trip, we learned that, like her daughter, Erika was also born with a cleft palate. However, the repair she received as a child didn’t heal properly, leaving her with a large opening (fistula) between her mouth and nose, making eating and speaking extremely difficult.
For years, she was told by doctors that nothing could be done because the fistula was so large. CSI and our partners at St. Andrew's Children's Clinic , Hospital CIMA Hermosillo, and Voluntariado CIMA did not accept that — over the past year, the team has worked tirelessly to turn decades of “no” for Erika into a life-changing “yes.”
Today, Dr. Michael Fritz — one of the world’s leading experts in complex reconstructive surgery — successfully performed a procedure called a “free flap,” using healthy tissue from another part of Erika’s body to finally close the opening. This delicate surgery will allow Erika to eat, drink, and speak more easily, transforming her daily life.
And there’s something even more special: Erika’s daughter, Danixza, is also having surgery with CSI this week, marking the completion of her own cleft journey as well.
Wheels up! ✈️ The last group of amazing CSI volunteers are en route to Hermosillo.
They'll meet up with the rest of the team at the hospital later today to finalize patient screening and set-up. Tomorrow, life-changing surgeries begin for dozens of children!
Thank you to our incredible volunteers, partners, and generous donors who made the 61 surgeries performed in Hermosillo, Mexico, last week possible. Because of you, futures are brighter.
The work doesn’t stop there. On Thursday, another CSI team departs for Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, where they’ll provide pediatric ENT and urology surgeries and continue hands-on training with our local colleagues.
#cleftstrong #globalhealth #pediatricsurgery #changinglives ... See MoreSee Less
That’s a wrap on CSI's 2025 surgical trip to Hermosillo. Our volunteers are headed home after an incredible few days delivering transformative care.
We're thankful for the partnerships and shared commitment that power this trip year after year. Stay tuned for more stories and details to come. ✨
St. Andrew's Children's Clinic Hospital CIMA Hermosillo Voluntariado CIMA
#hermosillosonora #cleftstrong #pediatricsurgery #GlobalHealth ... See MoreSee Less
Our last day of surgeries in Hermosillo marks a milestone for 8 teens who are receiving rhinoplasty surgery — the final stage of their cleft care journey.
Many of these young people have grown up with our team, returning year after year for each step of their surgical care. Seeing them reach this final stage is a moment of immense pride and joy — for them, their families, and the volunteers who have been part of their journey.
The team heads home tomorrow!
#pediatricsurgery #cleftstrong #pediatricsurgery #ChangingLives #Hermosillo ... See MoreSee Less
This week, some healing came in pairs: two sets of siblings received surgeries — another beautiful reminder of the trust families place in our team and partners.
💜 Sisters first: On Sunday, Merari received speech surgery, and little sister Melissa had bilateral cleft surgery — both with Dr. Brianne Roby.
💙 Then the brothers: Jesús had his palate repaired on Sunday by Dr. Andrew Scott, and on Monday, Gael had surgery with Dr. Michael Fritz.
St. Andrew's Children's Clinic Hospital CIMA Hermosillo Voluntariado CIMA
#cleftstrong #hermosillo #pediatricsurgery #globalhealth ... See MoreSee Less
Ivana was Dr. Sampson’s third patient of the day. She received a bone graft to support her developing jaw, followed by an intermediate rhinoplasty from Dr. Scott to straighten her nose and provide structure until her cleft rhinoplasty can be performed.
Children with cleft conditions often require multiple surgeries as their faces and jaws grow, making access to ongoing care essential. Together with our partners, CSI is proud to provide this comprehensive care in Mexico — care that meets or exceeds U.S. standards — giving children like Ivana the healthy, confident futures they deserve. ✨
St. Andrew's Children's Clinic Hospital CIMA Hermosillo Voluntariado CIMA
#cleftstrong #hermosillo #changinglives #pediatricsurgery #globalhealth ... See MoreSee Less
From early morning rounds to the final surgery of the day, the team was in constant motion, making life-changing care possible today.
Working with our partners St. Andrew's Children's Clinic, Hospital CIMA Hermosillo, and Voluntariado CIMA, CSI volunteers completed another twenty surgeries.
Some of yesterday’s patients are already being discharged, marking the start of new beginnings for these young heroes.
📸 Swipe to see the incredible before & afters!
#cleftstrong #pediatricsurgery #globalhealth #nonprofit #hermosillosonoramexico ... See MoreSee Less
Transformation is happening in Hermosillo! Twenty children, ranging in age from 4 months to 13 years, are receiving life-changing surgery at no cost to their families today.
Among them is 1-year-old Jesús (pictured in the first two photos). Eight years ago, our team repaired his brother’s cleft lip. Today, Dr. Brianne Roby is operating on Jesús, who was born with a cleft lip and palate — a powerful testament to the trust we've built and our commitment to these families.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, our partners, and the generosity of supporters who believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. 💙
#ChangingLives #GlobalHealth #cleftstrong #pediatricsurgery ... See MoreSee Less
Today was a life-changing day for Erika — a woman we met last year when she brought her daughter for surgery. During that trip, we learned that, like her daughter, Erika was also born with a cleft palate. However, the repair she received as a child didn’t heal properly, leaving her with a large opening (fistula) between her mouth and nose, making eating and speaking extremely difficult.
For years, she was told by doctors that nothing could be done because the fistula was so large. CSI and our partners at St. Andrew's Children's Clinic , Hospital CIMA Hermosillo, and Voluntariado CIMA did not accept that — over the past year, the team has worked tirelessly to turn decades of “no” for Erika into a life-changing “yes.”
Today, Dr. Michael Fritz — one of the world’s leading experts in complex reconstructive surgery — successfully performed a procedure called a “free flap,” using healthy tissue from another part of Erika’s body to finally close the opening. This delicate surgery will allow Erika to eat, drink, and speak more easily, transforming her daily life.
And there’s something even more special: Erika’s daughter, Danixza, is also having surgery with CSI this week, marking the completion of her own cleft journey as well.
Two generations, both moving forward — together.
Great work, team!
#pediatricsurgery #cleftstrong #globalhealth #Mexico ... See MoreSee Less
Wheels up! ✈️ The last group of amazing CSI volunteers are en route to Hermosillo.
They'll meet up with the rest of the team at the hospital later today to finalize patient screening and set-up. Tomorrow, life-changing surgeries begin for dozens of children!
#changinglives #HermosilloMexico #pediatricsurgery #cleftstrong ... See MoreSee Less