Medical volunteers and Ugandan partners are transforming access to complex cancer surgery in rural Africa.
Matthew Chu, MD, and Mallory McKeon, MD, on behalf of the Humanitarian Efforts Committee
Matthew Chu, MD, and Mallory McKeon, MD.Head and Neck Outreach (HNO) is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 by Chad Zender, MD, and Katrina Harrill, RN, to address the shortage of advanced head and neck cancer care in Africa. Their mission is to work alongside African colleagues in their efforts to provide equitable, high-quality care for patients with complex head and neck disease. HNO builds on the legacy of Johannes J. Fagan, MBChB, MMed, who established the first African head and neck fellowship at the University of Cape Town. One of his trainees and the first Karl Storz fellow, Jeffrey Otiti, MBChB, has become a key partner in HNO’s mission. As a leader at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Dr. Otiti organizes and co-leads surgical camps that bring care to hundreds of patients who would otherwise have no access. HNO’s role is to support these camps, providing mentorship, training, and resources while ensuring local ownership of patient care.
Dr. Zender works with Dr. Otiti to refine his microvascular skills, while Chief Resident Matthew Chu, MD, instructs surgical intern Emma Platt, MD, on suturing fundamentals.HNO's philosophy is to empower local surgeons rather than replace them. In this way, surgical camps focus on training in the operating room, didactic lectures, and case-based learning. HNO team members serve in supporting roles, allowing Ugandan surgeons and trainees to remain at the forefront of patient care and decision-making. This model strengthens surgical education, builds confidence, and ensures sustainability long after visiting teams depart. Since starting in Kampala in 2014, HNO has expanded beyond Kampala to include service development in Gulu, Mbale, and now Kiwoko, helping build capacity in regional hospitals so that advanced care is available closer to patients’ homes.
The July 2025 surgical camp exemplifies this collaborative model. A relatively small team of volunteer nurses, surgical technicians, head and neck surgeons, and otolaryngology residents traveled from the United States—many from the University of Cincinnati—to Uganda. There, they were met by a team from UCI in Kampala to partner with more colleagues waiting in Kiwoko. The Ugandan teams included anesthesiologists, nurses, sterilization technicians, biomedical engineers, housekeeping crew, and surgeons. The commitment and leadership of these local team members are paramount to the success of the camps.
Looking to the future, HNO has supported Dr. Otiti and his colleagues in establishing a new African Head and Neck Society/UCI–recognized fellowship in Uganda. This program—one of the few of its kind on the continent—offers formal subspecialty training in head and neck oncology and reconstruction, ensuring that highly skilled African surgeons will continue leading the field for decades to come.
HNO remains dedicated to the belief that progress in global surgery is not generated from one-time surgical camps, but rather from long-term relationships, education, and the support of leaders like Dr. Otiti and his team, who are further transforming care for their own communities.
Though our primary collaborators are stationed at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala (pinned here), the HNO has been fortunate to work with several community sites throughout Uganda, including Mbale, Gulu, and Kiwoko.
Kiwoko, Uganda
Surgery is a cornerstone of primary healthcare, but in Uganda, the burden of surgical disease far surpasses the healthcare system's capacity. With a population of over 50 million, the country has only 50 otolaryngologists, just two of whom are fellowship-trained surgical oncologists. This severe disparity leaves many people with head and neck conditions unable to access the care they need. As their diseases progress, they lose the ability to eat, speak, and function in society. While advanced procedures like microvascular free tissue transfer are standard in developed countries, Ugandan hospitals often lack the staff and resources to perform them.
(Left to right)Dr. Chu, Dr. McKeon, and Shawn Li, MD, head and neck surgical oncologist at Penn State Health, outside our Kiwoko homes, which were conveniently located on the hospital campus.Kiwoko Hospital is a private community hospital located in rural Uganda, approximately two hours north of the capital. Founded in 1989, its mission is to provide life-saving medical and surgical services to the surrounding communities. The hospital operates entirely on donations, giving it the flexibility to provide accessible emergency care despite serving a predominantly low-income population. While their surgical services excel in trauma, acute care, and obstetrics, the hospital seeks to diversify its offerings by hosting educational camps with surgical subspecialties like otolaryngology. Together, teams from the Uganda Cancer Institute, Kiwoko Hospital, and HNO developed a high-impact, six-day surgical camp to provide access to care that is not available locally.
A Unique Opportunity to Serve the Underserved
Like many residents before us, we were drawn to this trip by the unique opportunity to serve the underserved, apply our surgical skills, and indulge our love of travel while immersing ourselves in a new culture.
The dynamic father-daughter duo, Dr. Zender and Reiley Zender, RN, arrive at the airport, ready to roll with their carefully packed surgical supplies.Preparation for our surgical camp began long before our team's arrival in Uganda. A core goal of the HNO is to be self-sufficient, providing all necessary supplies for surgery and post-operative care. This minimizes the burden on local hospitals. They achieved this through the generosity of donors and by being resourceful with cases in the U.S. Concurrently, their local partners in Uganda, led by Dr. Otiti and Isaac Mukiibi, MD, worked diligently to identify patients who would most benefit from our specialized services, particularly complex free flap reconstructions.
Through the gates of Kiwoko Hospital, we were greeted by a lush, well-groomed campus that exemplified the organization’s attention to detail.After a 36-hour journey, we landed safely in Kampala on a Saturday evening. The following day, our team divided. One group joined our local partners at UCI to screen potential surgical candidates, while the other organized and catalogued supplies for our week at Kiwoko Hospital. This trip marked a significant milestone: it was both our first time working at Kiwoko and the first time they had hosted an otolaryngology surgical camp. This created a palpable mix of excitement and shared concern about the logistics of operating in a new environment.
By the end of the day, we had compiled a comprehensive list of patients and surgeries for the week ahead. After a two-hour drive north, we arrived at Kiwoko Hospital and began unpacking and organizing our supplies to prepare two operating rooms for the following morning.
The two operating rooms made available for our surgical camp easily accommodated our team with ample space for local interns to observe and learn about head and neck surgery. All supplies were brought from the U.S. to avoid burdening the local hospital, and remaining supplies were donated to Kiwoko Hospital or UCI at the end of the camp.After a brief discussion of our surgical plan on Monday, we broke into two teams. The first team tackled a large parotid mass, which was identified as acinic cell carcinoma, and performed an ALT free flap reconstruction. Concurrently, the second team addressed a disfiguring ameloblastoma, performing a hemi-mandibulectomy followed by osseous reconstruction with a fibular free flap. The remainder of the week flew by and by Friday we had successfully completed seven free flaps along with many other essential procedures. As expected, when dealing with complex surgeries, there were unexpected challenges along the way, yet each was managed with resilience and teamwork, and the outcomes for our patients were excellent. Importantly, Dr. Otiti and his team at the Uganda Cancer Institute continue to follow these patients closely, ensuring they receive ongoing care, monitoring, and support well beyond the surgical camp.
Dr. McKeon and Kiwoko Hospital intern Saghar Haghir suturing a skin graft following resection of a skin cancer.Beyond the surgical accomplishments, our camp was defined by the new friendships and partnerships forged. Kiwoko Hospital, HNO, and the UCI have found not only strong partners but also a setting in which to invest in the future of head and neck care. Together, they are looking to train clinical officers in the specialty, with UCI staff working alongside Kiwoko teams to expand skills, strengthen services, and build long-term capacity for patients in the region. When we departed, we were proud to leave behind supplies, including a Bovie machine, bipolar forceps, headlights, and a light source. The surgeons at Kiwoko were particularly excited about this equipment, which will support their work and serve their community long after our team has gone.
This trip reignited a commitment to service that is shared by our entire team. We were all deeply moved by the humility and courage of the patients and their families. One moment in particular stands out: witnessing a patient's daughter instinctively step in to help suction the tracheostomy of a neighboring patient. In a hospital with limited resources, this simple act was a profound reminder that at our core, we are all just people caring for one another.
This shared experience is why HNO volunteers remain so motivated to stay engaged, often rearranging their schedules to participate year after year. Their commitment speaks to both the enduring strength of HNO's mission and the lasting impact of these experiences, which we will carry with us into the future.
Dr. Chu walking the wards with a future head and neck surgeon.
Head and Neck Outreach
Patients with head and neck cancer face high morbidity and mortality, even with adequate care and resources. Comprehensive multidisciplinary care can preserve a patient's ability to speak, eat, and stay productive members of society. The goal of HNO is to improve health care in developing countries through sustainable education, research, and surgical programs.
Thank you to those who were involved in these efforts. The true value to these trips is the cascade of peer education and commitment to patient care that builds with each encounter.
Basics of the Program: Clinical Emphasis: Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology Language Skills: English Global Region: Africa Research Opportunities: Basic, Clinical, Quality Improvement, Education Services Provided: Office-Based Otolaryngology, Pharmaceuticals, Surgery
For more information about other Humanitarian Efforts campaigns happening around the world, visit the Humanitarian Efforts Map.
AAO-HNS Humanitarian Travel Grant
Applications Now being Accepted for 2026 Outreach Trips
Dr. Chu and Dr. McKeon were 2025 recipients of the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Efforts Travel Grants, which helped to offset their travel expenses to Uganda. These Foundation travel grants provide residents and fellows who are AAO-HNS members an opportunity to contribute professional service to people in countries with limited resources.
Learn more about the AAO-HNSF Humanitarian Travel Grant program. November 15 is the deadline for grant applications for outreach trips taking place January 1–June 30, 2026.
Matthew Chu, MD, and Mallory McKeon, MD.
Dr. Zender works with Dr. Otiti to refine his microvascular skills, while Chief Resident Matthew Chu, MD, instructs surgical intern Emma Platt, MD, on suturing fundamentals.
(Left to right) Dr. Chu, Dr. McKeon, and Shawn Li, MD, head and neck surgical oncologist at Penn State Health, outside our Kiwoko homes, which were conveniently located on the hospital campus.
The dynamic father-daughter duo, Dr. Zender and Reiley Zender, RN, arrive at the airport, ready to roll with their carefully packed surgical supplies.
Through the gates of Kiwoko Hospital, we were greeted by a lush, well-groomed campus that exemplified the organization’s attention to detail.
The two operating rooms made available for our surgical camp easily accommodated our team with ample space for local interns to observe and learn about head and neck surgery. All supplies were brought from the U.S. to avoid burdening the local hospital, and remaining supplies were donated to Kiwoko Hospital or UCI at the end of the camp.
Dr. McKeon and Kiwoko Hospital intern Saghar Haghir suturing a skin graft following resection of a skin cancer.
Dr. Chu walking the wards with a future head and neck surgeon.
