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.”
“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.”
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
“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.
Heartfelt Thanks to Our Surgeons
Dr. Andrew Jacono
Dr. Andrew Joseph
Dr. Ben Talei
Dr. Bryan Brandon
Dr. Christopher Kolstad
Dr. Clinton Morrison
Dr. David Lieberman
Dr. Frank Garritano
Dr. James Owusu
Dr. James Pearson
Dr. Jennifer Kim
Dr. Joseph Dusseldorp
Dr. Marcelo Antunes
Dr. Neal Goldman
Dr. Paul Sabini
Dr. Prabhat Bhama
Dr. Scott Thompson
Dr. Tessa Hadlock
Dr. Thomas Walker
Dr. Tom Wang
Dr. Vito C. Quatela
Dr. William Koenig
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.”
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
“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
“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.”
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.
Heartfelt Thanks to Our Surgeons
Dr. Andrew Jacono
Dr. Andrew Joseph
Dr. Ben Talei
Dr. Bryan Brandon
Dr. Christopher Kolstad
Dr. Clinton Morrison
Dr. David Lieberman
Dr. Frank Garritano
Dr. James Owusu
Dr. James Pearson
Dr. Jennifer Kim
Dr. Joseph Dusseldorp
Dr. Marcelo Antunes
Dr. Neal Goldman
Dr. Paul Sabini
Dr. Prabhat Bhama
Dr. Scott Thompson
Dr. Tessa Hadlock
Dr. Thomas Walker
Dr. Tom Wang
Dr. Vito C. Quatela
Dr. William Koenig
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
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.
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.