Good questions.
Plain answers.

What is Operation Walk Georgia?

Operation Walk Georgia is a Georgia chapter of the Operation Walk movement. We bring hip and knee replacement care to Antigua, Guatemala, together with local partners.

Drs. George N. Guild III and Thomas L. Bradbury Jr., orthopedic surgeons with Total Joint Specialists, founded Operation Walk Georgia after taking part in a similar effort in El Salvador. Our first mission took place June 26 – July 3, 2026.

What is AHKAF, and how is it related to Operation Walk Georgia?

AHKAF is the American Hip and Knee Arthritis Foundation, the nonprofit Drs. Guild and Bradbury founded. It funded the 2026 trip, and the first mission was branded “Operation Walk Georgia, Sponsored by AHKAF.”

Who goes on a mission?

In 2026, thirteen Total Joint Specialists orthopedic surgeons took part, led by Drs. Guild and Bradbury. Dr. Vinai M. Vishwanath of Emory Healthcare led anesthesia, overseeing a team of CRNAs, and Dr. Mario E. Ravry of Ravry Medical Group provided internal medicine and translation.

They worked alongside physician assistants, nurses, scrub techs, physical therapists, athletic trainers, a sterilization team, translators and logistics staff.

Where and when do missions happen?

Our first mission was June 26 – July 3, 2026, at Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro (“Obras”) in Antigua, Guatemala.

The next mission is planned for June 25 – July 2, 2027, back at Obras, with a goal of 100 cases and a fourth operating room.

What happened on the 2026 mission?

The team completed 72 joint replacements in one week, passing its goal of 66. Supplies arrived on 19 pallets, and the team set up three operating rooms on its first full day at Obras.

The week included complex cases, including a Girdlestone procedure and bilateral joint replacements. When power failed in the operating rooms, surgery briefly continued by phone flashlight.

How are patients seen and scheduled?

For the 2026 mission, Drs. Guild and Bradbury pre-screened patients in March 2026. At clinic on the mission, the team saw pre-selected surgical candidates and many walk-ins for pre-operative evaluations.

As the team passed its goal of 66 surgeries, patients from the waiting list were added to the schedule.

Where do the implants and supplies come from?

Zimmer Biomet and Medline were the 2026 mission’s largest donors, and Zimmer Biomet donated the implants and supplies. Home Care Pharmacy secured the trip’s medications and provided them at cost. Supplies were packed at Zimmer Biomet’s warehouse in March and April 2026.

How can I give?

Give on our Donate page, one time or monthly. Your gift supports the next mission, with a goal of 100 cases and a fourth operating room in 2027. Online giving is in test mode right now, so no real charges are made yet.

Can I give monthly?

Yes. Choose Monthly on the Donate page. You’ll get a receipt each month, and to change or cancel your gift, reply to a receipt email or write to info@opwalkga.org.

Can I give through a volunteer I know?

Yes. Team members can have their own fundraising page on this site. Ask them for the link, then give from their page; your gift counts toward their page. You can choose whether your name appears on their page, and gifts show as “Anonymous” unless you choose otherwise.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Tax-receipt details are still being finalized: AHKAF’s legal name, EIN and approved 501(c)(3) wording are pending. Every gift gets an emailed receipt; keep it for your records. Questions? Email info@opwalkga.org.

Can my company support a mission?

Yes. For a corporate partnership or a larger gift, email info@opwalkga.org to start the conversation.

Can I volunteer on a mission?

Volunteering for 2027 isn’t open to the public yet. Team accounts on this site are by invitation only. Email info@opwalkga.org if you’d like to hear when volunteering opens.

How do I get in touch?

Email info@opwalkga.org for giving, corporate sponsorship or media inquiries. We’d love to hear from you.