Valladolid and Bago City
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, PHILIPPINES 2025
Major surgeries: 104 patients (vs. 86 in 2024) underwent a total of 125 major surgical procedures: a) 63 female = 61%. b) The age range was 1 - 83 years old. c) 23 pediatric cases: (<15yrs old) = 22%. d) Three patients received a total of 5 units of blood products. e) 27 cases were done using spinal anesthesia. f) 5 spinal anesthesia cases were converted to general anesthesia.
• GYN: 24 patients (41 procedures) (vs. 26 patients in 2024) of uterine myomas, endometriosis, Bartholin’s cysts, and ovarian cysts/tumors. Seven prolapse cases underwent surgery this year (vs. 5 in 2024); 13 Trans-abdominal hysterectomies, 12 with oophorectomies (vs. 16 in 2024); 2 Trans-vaginal hysterectomies (vs. 0 in 2023); 7 Uterine prolapse repairs (vs. 0 in 2023); 2 Pelvic mass / oophorectomy for various diagnoses
• GENERAL SURGERY / HEAD & NECK: 80 patients (84 procedures) (vs. 59 cases in 2024); 14 Pediatric inguinal hernia repairs, (vs. 11 in 2024); 11 Adult inguinal hernia repairs (vs. 13 in 2024), all with mesh repairs; 2 Hemorrhoidectomies (vs. 1 in 2024); 14 Cholecystectomy, (vs. 1 in 2024); 14 Various: 1 popliteal cyst, 9 lipoma excisions, 1 periorbital mass, 1 sublingual mass, 2 orchiopexy; 1 Breast case (vs. 0 in 2024); 15 Hemithyroidectomies, (vs. 14 in 2024); 4 Salivary gland tumor excisions (vs. 4 in 2024); 5 Congenital neck mass excision (vs. 2 in 2024)
Minor Surgeries: 257 patients (excision of skin lesions/lipomas) done by Drs. Robert Sy and Robert Ledesma, both volunteers from Manila with assistance from Mary Tom from Hawaii.
Dental cases: 1656 patients were treated including: 372 fillings performed by AMM dentists and 2130 extractions performed by AMM and local Filipino dentists
Total income = $14,205.00
Total expenses = $16,500.64
Total cost to AMM for mission = $2,295.64
Estimated in-kind contributions by the mission team:
A. 20 physicians (CRNA’s and APPs included as physicians) x (est) $200/hr x 9 hrs/day x 7 days = $252,000 in physician services
B. 8 nurses x (est) $100/hr x 9 hrs/day x 6 days = $43,200 in nursing services
C. 9 dentists x (est) $125/hr x 9 hrs/day x 6 days = $60,750 in dental services
D. Equivalent value of operative services provided in US dollars: 104 major surgery cases x $15,000 ($1,560,000) + 2502 dental cases x $750 ($1,876,500) + 257 minor cases x $500 ($128,500) = $3,565,000 equivalent surgical / dental cases in US dollars
E. Total Estimated in-kind contributions: $252,000 in physician services + $43,200 in nursing services + $60,750 in dental services + $3,565,000 equivalent surgical / dental cases = $3,920,700
F. Actual treatment cost per patient: $126,000 (travel costs 48 US volunteers x $2500 + 6 Filipino volunteers x $1000) + $16,500.64 (AMM expense) + $25,000 (Scholastica contribution) = $161,500.64 / 2017 total patients served = $80.07 / patient-actual cost
The St. Scholastica's Bacolod Alumnae Foundation, Inc. (SSBAFI) spent much of their own funds to support patient transport, lab/study costs, and screening costs. Their estimated total contribution to this mission totaled at least $25,000 US
The success of this mission is directly related to the herculean efforts of Gina Regalado, Jean Trebol, and all of the SSBAFI volunteers who provided the coordination and on-site support of the mission. As always, their performance was superb
The Chief of Hospital, Dra. Marichelle D. Mendoza Morales, and all of the Valladolid District Hospital staff were exceedingly gracious and helpful. Thank you to the many local health volunteers from the town who helped us care for patients in the operating suite, recovery room, postoperative ward, and dental clinic areas.
Thank you also to Dr. Robert Sy of Manila who continues to provide the outpatient surgical procedures program to all our Philippine missions and who assists our inpatient surgical program with logistical and monetary support.
Because of the continued success of this mission, AMM is invited to return to Valladolid and Bago City in 2026.
Thank you to all of the amazing AMM volunteers who contributed to the successful outcome of this mission.
To see the complete Mission Report for the Valladolid 2025 Mission, click here
Mission Leaders: Julie Gamboa, RN, BSN, CCRN; Christopher Klem, MD; Steve Ertel, DDS
Volunteer Staff: 57 total staff members (51 AMM and 6 Filipino) were involved in direct patient care and directly associated with AMM.
Volunteer Nationalities:
46 from the United States
2 from Great Britain
1 from Nepal
7 from the Philippines (excluding local lay support staff and local dentists)
Medical and Non-Medical Volunteers:
23 physicians and advanced practice providers
9 dentists
10 nurses
3 dental and surgical technicians
12 non-medical volunteers
New Volunteers: 13 volunteers participated in an AMM mission for the first time.
Local Dental Support: 11 Filipino dentists, all from Negros Occidental, worked at various times throughout the week.
Volunteer Expenses: All volunteers paid for their own travel and housing expenses.
Daily Schedule:
6:00 am – Breakfast at the hotel.
6:30 am – Group meeting.
7:00 am – Main OR team departs for the hospital (approximately 40-minute bus ride).
7:30 am – Dental team departs for the dental clinic (approximately 30-minute van ride).
7:45–8:00 am – Hospital ward rounds.
8:30 am – Surgery begins.
Throughout the day, patients scheduled for the following day are seen in the clinic between surgical cases.
The day ends once the last scheduled surgical case is completed.
Surgery typically concludes by 5:00 pm, with one exception when a case continued until 5:30 pm.
Friday: Activities conclude early, with packing beginning at 2:00 pm.
Main OR team: Departs the hospital by bus between 5:30 and 6:00 pm.
Recovery Room and Post-op Ward teams: Depart by van between 6:00 and 7:00 pm.
Dental team: Typically concludes the day around 5:00 pm, consistent with previous missions.
