Our History
Created in 1997, the World Surgical Foundation inc. (formerly World Mission of Central PA), serves people in developing or impoverished countries where modern healthcare is not available or is too costly.
This volunteer organization of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurses and other caregivers performs at least one surgical mission per year to bring hope and improve the quality of life for hundreds of people who could not otherwise receive surgical care. The WSF also provides teaching, supplies and equipment for hospitals and medical facilities around the world and supports smaller groups or individuals with the same goal or mission in the United States and abroad.

Making A Lasting Impact
Dr. Domingo T. Alvear , a pediatric surgeon, founded the WSF with a vision to extend the efforts of traditional surgical missions. He and his wife, Dr. Veneranda B. Alvear, an anesthesiologist, participated in many missions to their native Philippines. They were fulfilled by their work but knew, too, that the continuing, quality surgical care abruptly stopped at the missions end.
Dr. Alvear wanted to help the local physicians, who eagerly learned from the mission doctors, acquire the medical equipment and supplies they needed to continue providing good, quality healthcare. He shared his concerns with other mission-minded Central PA healthcare workers, business people and volunteers, and the WSF was born. In keeping with the WSFs vision, providing medical training and supplying resources is part of the "extended" mission.

Covering the Basics
One of WSFs first steps was to secure a medical warehouse where donated items are refurbished and stored until needed. Medical equipment, supplies and other donations are sought from hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, businesses and individuals. An administrative base organizes volunteers, fund-raising efforts and assures the organization_s accountability to donors.

An Extended Reach
Since its inception, WSF has sponsored yearly surgical missions. They typically complete 25-40 surgeries a day during a ten-day mission. Most recently, the WSF organized a mission of 45 surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurses and other volunteers to Fort Suranari Hospital in Nakorn Ratchasima; and Patong Hospital in Phuket, Thailand, where they performed over 150+ surgical procedures and 150+ cataract surgeries in five days. Other trips include the Philippines in 2001and 2005; Thailand in 2003 and after the tsunami in 2005; India in 2004 and Honduras annually since 2002.

The WSF is also assisting medical facilities worldwide fulfilling requests for items and/or mission workers to provide surgical care. They have supported facilities in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya and Russia, as well as the Community Check-up Center and Hamilton Health Center in Central PA, donating everything from anesthesia machines, operating tables and wheelchairs to scales, sutures and tongue depressors. WSF also donated medications and funds during the crisis in Kosovo (see Logistics for further information).

About the Founder--Domingo T. Alvear, M.D.
Listen to recent interview with Domingo T. Alvear, M.D., President of the World Surgical Foundation on the Legends Of Success syndicated radio program.
http://www.videopa.com/ramfiles/legends/alvear.asx
Requires Windows Media Player
To hear other interviews with America's legendary entrepreneurs, go to
LegendsofSuccess.com . http://www.LegendsofSuccess.com

Dr. Domingo T. Alvear is a nationally known pediatric surgeon and chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at PinnacleHealth System in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His love of medicine was sparked when as an eight-year-old, growing up in the Philippines, he borrowed the stethoscope of his uncle-physician for a school play. Today he is one of the most successful Filipino-American physicians in the United States as well as an international consultant, lecturer, writer and speaker.

Born April 3, 1943 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte Province, Philippines, Alvear came to the United States in 1966. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1982.

He holds medical licenses from the Philippines (1965), Delaware (1972), Washington, D.C. (1972), and Pennsylvania (1973). He graduated cum laude and benemeritus from the University of Santo Tomas College of Medicine in Manila in 1965. As a medical student, he participated in mission work volunteering to care for patients in Manila and the Provinces.

His early training came in a rotating internship and then a general surgery residency at the U.S. Air Force Hospital, Clark Air Base, Philippines. In the United States, he went through surgical training at Presbyterian University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and St. Christophers Hospital for Children, both in Philadelphia.

Alvear has published more than 20 articles in prestigious surgical journals and publications. He has given lectures at both national and international medical conferences and enjoys an excellent reputation as a pediatric surgeon. He has received numerous awards and fellowships during his 28-year career.

He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, a post he has held since October 2000. He was president of the Dauphin County Medical Society in 1998, Medical Staff President at Polyclinic Hospital (Harrisburg, PA) in 1996 and President of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America in 1995.

A resident of Central PA, Alvear is married to anesthesiologist Veneranda G. Bruno-Alvear. They have two sons, Domingo, who lives in California and Jonathan, who lives in Washington D.C..