For Immediate Release<\/b><\/p>\n
Worldwide Surgical Missions, Friends of the Order of Malta in <\/b>Africa, and the Permanent Representation of the Order of <\/b>Malta to the African Union Announce Successful Fundraiser <\/b>Supporting Medical Aid in Burundi<\/b><\/p>\n
Atlanta, GA \u2014 October 24, 2025<\/b> \u2014 Worldwide Surgical Missions (WSM), in conjunction with the Friends<\/i><\/p>\n
of the Order of Malta in Africa<\/i> and the Permanent Representation of the Order of Malta to the<\/i><\/p>\n
African Union<\/i>, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a fundraising event held<\/p>\n
on October 23 at 6:00 PM<\/b> at a private residence in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
The evening gathering brought together 18 supporters, including members of the Atlanta Region of the Order of Malta such as Hospitalier Patty Turpin, Major General & Mrs. Tom Wessels, and other distinguished guests. Food and d\u00e9cor for the event were generously provided by Rodney and Clarissa Southworth, parishioners of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.<\/p>\n
The fundraiser generated over $30,000<\/b>, all of which will be directed toward critical medical and logistical support for healthcare initiatives in Burundi.<\/p>\n
Allocation of Funds<\/b><\/p>\n
The funds raised will support several high-impact medical needs, including:<\/p>\n
\u2022<\/span> 20 field hospital beds<\/p>\n \u2022<\/span> A dual-power generator for use in a Burundi refugee camp<\/p>\n \u2022<\/span> Air-conditioning units for the Stamm Foundation Hospital<\/p>\n \u2022<\/span> Purchase of a shipping container, which will remain in Burundi for future use as a potential clinic<\/p>\n \u2022<\/span> Additional new and refurbished medical equipment for regional hospitals, including:<\/p>\n o<\/span> An operating microscope<\/p>\n o<\/span> Medical monitors<\/p>\n o<\/span> An operating room table<\/p>\n o<\/span> Respirators<\/p>\n o<\/span> Other essential surgical and diagnostic devices<\/p>\n These supplies will significantly strengthen the medical infrastructure serving vulnerable populations in the region. <\/b>Funds will also help underwrite travel for a bioengineer and registered<\/p>\n nurse during a planned mission trip in spring 2026. An anesthesiologist and ophthalmologist are also expected to join the mission team, self-funded. Coordination is currently underway to align the mission’s arrival with that of a German plastic surgery team, which traditionally works in the region during the week prior to Easter, maximizing the impact of multiple humanitarian medical teams on the ground.<\/p>\n About Worldwide Surgical Missions<\/b><\/p>\n Worldwide Surgical Missions (WSM) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bringing surgical care and infrastructure to underserved regions worldwide. The<\/p>\n organization is led by world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Arthur Grigorian, together with a multidisciplinary team including physician assistant Leigh Beasley and biomedical engineer<\/p>\n Chris Menard. WSM\u2019s mission is to provide support to areas affected by conflict, natural disaster, and lack of resources by delivering surgical training, donating medical equipment, and<\/p>\n partnering with local healthcare facilities. Focusing on long-term impact, WSM assesses the needs of healthcare systems abroad, then raises funds and sources equipment to strengthen local<\/p>\n programs and empower medical professionals. With campaigns in countries such as Armenia, Ethiopia, Ukraine and others, WSM works to ensure that lifesaving surgery reaches those who<\/p>\n need it most.<\/p>\n World Surgical Missions- <\/span>www.worldwidesurgicalmissions.org<\/p>\n Dr. Arthur Grigorian<\/p>\n Arthur.grigorian@worldwidesurgicalmissions.org<\/p>\n About the Permanent Representation of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the African<\/p>\n Union Commission<\/p>\n The Permanent Representation of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta (commonly the Order of Malta) to the African Union<\/p>\n Commission serves as the diplomatic and humanitarian liaison between the Order\u2019s global relief mission and the African Union\u2019s (\u201cAU\u201d) policy, peace, and health-oriented agenda.<\/p>\n Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Representation advances the Order\u2019s centuries-old commitment to the care of the sick and vulnerable by collaborating with AU member states<\/p>\n and partners to support healthcare infrastructure, humanitarian relief, and resilience-building\u00a0in Africa. It fosters multilateral engagement, promotes humanitarian diplomacy<\/p>\n within AU frameworks, and leverages the Order\u2019s medical-charitable networks across the continent to contribute to the AU\u2019s sustainable development and regional well-being<\/p>\n objectives.<\/p>\n Order of Malta at the African Union- <\/span>www.aucrepresentation.orderofmalta.int<\/p>\n Ambassador Michael P. Murphy, KMOb<\/p>\n m.murphy@orderofmalta.int<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"no","news_excerpt":"Worldwide Surgical Missions, in conjunction with the Friends of the Order of Malta in Africa and the Permanent Representation of the Order of Malta to the African Union, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a fundraising event held on October 23 at 6:00 PM at a private residence in Atlanta, Georgia, USA."},"news_categories":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aucrepresentation.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aucrepresentation.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aucrepresentation.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aucrepresentation.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/615\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aucrepresentation.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}