Work in the Field
Surgeons
Requirements
- Valid degree and current license
- Completed residency in surgery
- Ability to work with limited technical resources
- Availability on short notice
- Current or recent practical experience
- Minimum commitment of 2 months
MSF general and orthopedic surgeons often work with emergency teams to treat people wounded in conflict zones. At other times, they join teams that are providing longer-term surgical care to communities without access to functioning health care systems. Basic diagnostic equipment and facilities needed to run an operating room will be limited: there may not even be an X-ray machine. MSF asks surgeons to depart on very short notice to meet the needs of emergencies that require their skills. But MSF does offer surgeons the option of shorter-than-usual assignments (generally lasting from 2 to 3 months or more). Responsibilities include general surgery, surgical-needs assessment, and training of local staff.
| What is it like in the field? Read these accounts: |
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Surgeon Sherry Wren, MD
Rutshuru, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
October 2008 |
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Orthopedic Surgeon Courtland Lewis, MD
Mansehra, Pakistan
January 2006 |
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Surgeon Mary Ann Hopkins, MD
Democratic Republic of the Congo
March 2005 |
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Surgeon Dr. Jean-Paul Dixmeras
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
February 2005 |
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Surgeon Bruce Frank, MD
Ivory Coast
February 2003 |
