Medical Professionals Donating Time & Compassionate Care

The HUGS Foundation, Inc. Team

Vito C. Quatela, MD, FACS, Rochester, NY

Founder and President of HUGS Foundation, Inc.
“When you do something you have a passion for it gives you energy. You don’t have to be paid for it and you’ll do it all day long without being asked to do it. I feel that it really embodies what medicine is all about.”

Lisa Wahlers, CRNA, Rochester, NY

“The HUGS mission trips remind me of why I became a nurse. The ability to help so many patients and families receive care that is otherwise unavailable to them is so gratifying. It changes their lives. Their appreciation for the care we can provide them just warms my heart. I also feel so lucky to work with the many dedicated professionals who I meet on the trips. It does not feel like work when you do something that you love. “

Prabhat Bhama, MD, MPH, FACS, Seattle, WA

“The week I spend in Guatemala volunteering to help children with microtia is incredibly rewarding on multiple levels. It reminds me of why I became a doctor in the first place.”

Dr. Clinton S. Morrison, FACS, Rochester, NY

“Having had the opportunity to work with several other international surgical organizations, what makes HUGS unique is the people behind the mission. Some of the world’s most talented surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and techs coming together with their hearts and skills to help the lives of others. It is truly a beautiful thing.”

Dr. Sara Neimanis, Rochester, NY

“Trips with HUGS have become the highlight of my year. Seeing a team of people come together to help others for all the right reasons is the reason I became a doctor. The patients and their families are so kind, welcoming, and appreciative and it makes me want to do this forever. Missions with HUGS change their lives, and mine, for the better.”

Join us on a life-changing mission to help children with cleft lip, cleft palate, microtia, and other congenital facial deformities. You’ll change their lives… and they’ll change yours.

Wilfredo Rivera Jr., BSN, RN, CNOR , Rochester, NY

“Each case we do is a powerful reminder of the difference we can make through compassion, skill, and teamwork. I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a dedicated and passionate team that comes together with one shared goal: to bring hope, happiness, and a smile to those who need it most.”

Dr. Frank Garritano, San Mateo, CA

“The opportunity to participate in the HUGS mission trips has been one of the most satisfying, fulfilling, and rewarding parts of my career as a facial plastic surgeon. It is such a privilege to help take care of these amazing children and their families, and to be part of such an amazing team of dedicated volunteers!”

Taylor Thorne, RN, Raleigh, NC

“Volunteering with the HUGS foundation is something I am most proud of in my nursing career! The patients we see are the strongest, kindest, most resilient kiddos, despite their difficult circumstances, and it is such an honor to be even a small part of their journeys to a new smile!! I thought I was coming on these missions to change the lives of these incredible kiddos, but they have changed my life infinitely more. “

Stacy Spinos, RN, Rochester NY

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Dave, RN, Gig Harbour, WA

“I have volunteered on four HUGS missions to Guatemala, and they have been the greatest honor and privilege of my nursing career. It is absolutely amazing to be a part of such a dedicated group of professionals. Also, the people of Guatemala are so friendly, warm, and thankful for everything that they have and are given. It is a great source of pride and joy to be of service to them and to be able to work alongside them at the hospital as well.”

David M. Lieberman, MD, Palo Alto, CA

“HUGS is a special organization this is totally devoted to making a positive change in these children’s lives. It is truly a privilege to be a part of the HUGS team and to play a role in these transformations.”

Neal Goldman, MD, Winston-Salem, NC

“The HUGS medical missions are always the best weeks of my year and remind me of why I became a doctor. I always feel inspired when I get back from a medical mission with HUGS.”

Andrew Joseph, MD, MPH, Ann Arbor, MI

“It has been a tremendous privilege for me to participate in HUGS medical missions and help provide care for patients who are in such great need. The immense outpouring of joy and appreciation from our patients is a wonderful reminder of why I became a doctor and keeps me looking forward to the next opportunity to support HUGS.”

Call 585-244-1000 for more information.

Andrew Joseph, MD, MPH, Ann Arbor, MI

Niari McFarland, RN, West Haven, UT

“I have been fortunate to serve a medical mission four times with HUGS. This is the very reason I became a nurse. I completely fall in love with our patients and their families. I go home after volunteering and feel like I got more out of the experience than the patients.”

Prabhat Bhama, MD, MPH, FACS, Seattle, WA

“The week I spend in Guatemala volunteering to help children with microtia is incredibly rewarding on multiple levels. It reminds me of why I became a doctor in the first place.”

Frank Anderson, MSN, CRNA, Philadelphia, PA

“This is my second year with HUGS. I cannot say enough good things about the amazing work that is done by this group of dedicated professionals. I feel so blessed to be able to give back.”

Alex Montague, MD, Lexington, KY

“I’ve been on three missions, and each one seems to be more moving and more fun than the last. Every mission week destroys, humbles, and rejuvenates me. HUGS changes lives. I’m honored to be a part of their team and hope to stay involved for years to come!”

Join us on a life-changing mission to help children with cleft lip, cleft palate, microtia, and other congenital facial deformities. You’ll change their lives… and they’ll change yours.

Melanie M., CRNA, Lewes, DE

“This was my first mission trip, and I loved it so much that I’m going back again next year! This work has made a huge impact on me — just knowing that I played a small part in changing the lives of these children.”

Nichole L., LPN, Rochester, NY

“This mission trip not only impacted my career as a nurse but impacted my life in so many ways that I could’ve never imagined. To see people who traveled from all over Guatemala to seek our help and medical expertise was so touching and heartwarming. Being able to see all of our smiling patients’ faces after surgery makes all that we do just that much more enjoyable!”

Amy Goodrich, RN, Rochester, NY

“This was my first mission trip, and it was the best experience I’ve had. I was in awe of the doctors, nurses, and volunteers that donate their time and expertise year after year to help these patients. The gratitude of the patients and their families was amazing. I hope to be able to go on many more missions. It was such a satisfying experience for me.”

Linda Kolstad, RN, West Linn, OR

“I have been on five HUGS missions to Antigua as a play therapy volunteer. I help the children and parents with games, coloring pages, and easy crafts. It helps to pass the time, and the children and parents form friendships. It fills my heart to see the smiles as we play. This week lives in my mind all year. The dedication of the staff and the appreciation of the patients is a wonder to behold.”

Dave, RN, Gig Harbour, WA

David M. Lieberman, MD, Palo Alto, CA

Neal Goldman, MD, Winston-Salem, NC

“The HUGS medical missions are always the best weeks of my year and remind me of why I became a doctor. I always feel inspired when I get back from a medical mission with HUGS.”

Vito C. Quatela, MD, FACS, Rochester, NY

Founder and President of HUGS Foundation, Inc.

Call 585-244-1000 for more information.

HUGS Foundation, Inc.

973 East Ave
Rochester, NY 14607

Contact

Phone: 585-244-1000
Email: info@helpusgivesmiles.org

Get Directions

Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN): 58-2673458
HUGS Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations of cash and supplies are tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law.

The HUGS Foundation, Inc. Team

Vito C. Quatela, MD, FACS, Rochester, NY

Lisa Wahlers, CRNA, Rochester, NY

Prabhat Bhama, MD, MPH, FACS, Seattle, WA

Dr. Clinton S. Morrison, FACS, Rochester, NY

Dr. Sara Neimanis, Rochester, NY

Wilfredo Rivera Jr., BSN, RN, CNOR , Rochester, NY

Dr. Frank Garritano, San Mateo, CA

Taylor Thorne, RN, Raleigh, NC

Stacy Spinos, RN, Rochester NY

Dave, RN, Gig Harbour, WA

David M. Lieberman, MD, Palo Alto, CA

Neal Goldman, MD, Winston-Salem, NC

Andrew Joseph, MD, MPH, Ann Arbor, MI

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Surgeons

Andrew Joseph, MD, MPH, Ann Arbor, MI

Niari McFarland, RN, West Haven, UT

Prabhat Bhama, MD, MPH, FACS, Seattle, WA

Frank Anderson, MSN, CRNA, Philadelphia, PA

Alex Montague, MD, Lexington, KY

Melanie M., CRNA, Lewes, DE

Nichole L., LPN, Rochester, NY

Amy Goodrich, RN, Rochester, NY

Linda Kolstad, RN, West Linn, OR

Dave, RN, Gig Harbour, WA

David M. Lieberman, MD, Palo Alto, CA

Neal Goldman, MD, Winston-Salem, NC

Vito C. Quatela, MD, FACS, Rochester, NY

Founder and President of HUGS Foundation, Inc.

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Surgeons

HUGS Foundation, Inc.

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