On July 16, 2026, MDatl, the Atlanta site for healthcare and medical news, published "Operation Walk Georgia: Atlanta Area Doctors Making a Difference," a story about our first mission to Antigua, Guatemala. Read the full article on MDatl
What the article reported
- The team traveled to Antigua on June 26, 2026, led by Drs. George N. Guild III and Thomas L. Bradbury Jr., orthopedic surgeons with Total Joint Specialists and founders of the American Hip and Knee Arthritis Foundation (AHKAF), the nonprofit that funded the trip.
- Drs. Guild and Bradbury were inspired to start the foundation and Operation Walk Georgia after taking part in a similar effort in El Salvador.
- Nineteen pallets of supplies were shipped ahead of the team, and Zimmer Biomet donated the implants and supplies.
- The team set out to complete 66 joint replacement surgeries at Obras. It passed that goal, added patients from the waiting list and completed 72.
- Thirteen Total Joint Specialists orthopedic surgeons took part, with Dr. Vinai M. Vishwanath of Emory Healthcare leading anesthesia and Dr. Mario E. Ravry of Ravry Medical Group providing internal medicine and translation.
- Plans are already underway for the next trip, with a new goal of 100 surgeries.
In their words
"What this team pulled off last week was truly extraordinary. Together, we completed 72 joint replacements in one week—but more importantly, we changed lives for many patients and their families who otherwise would not have had access to this care. It was one of the most impressive team efforts I've ever been a part of."
"I've always wanted to do this. I've heard such good things about it. We're doing what we love to do and we're helping people who really, really need it. It's an awesome opportunity. I know it's only going to grow because of the experience we've had down here."
More about the mission
For the full week, day by day, read our Antigua, Guatemala 2026 recap. To help the team reach 100 cases in 2027, give to the next mission.
