(photo courtesy: AdventHealth)
TAMPA, Fla. – A collaborative effort between AdventHealth Carrollwood, Florida Orthopaedic Institute, and Pioneer Medical Foundation is providing free hip and knee replacement surgeries to 17 Tampa Bay area residents who lack the resources to afford these life-changing procedures.
The surgeries are part of Operation Walk USA, a national humanitarian program now in its 14th year. This initiative partners with leading hospitals across the country to provide free joint replacements to uninsured or underinsured adults who meet specific eligibility criteria.
This year, the surgeries are being performed at two AdventHealth locations:
- AdventHealth Carrollwood: Seven procedures were performed on Saturday, February 8th, by Dr. Brian Palumbo and Dr. Michael A. Miranda.
- AdventHealth Tampa: Ten procedures are scheduled for Saturday, March 1st, with Dr. Brian Palumbo and Dr. Spencer Smith leading the surgeries.
READ: Florida State Rep. Skidmore Intros HB 219 To Expand Parental Rights In K-12 Health Screenings
Over 200 AdventHealth team members have volunteered their time and expertise to make these surgeries possible.
“As an orthopedic surgeon, it’s a privilege to work alongside dedicated medical professionals and organizations like Operation Walk USA to restore mobility and quality of life for those in need,” said Dr. Brian T. Palumbo, an orthopedic surgeon with AdventHealth Carrollwood and Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “Now that we are in our fourth year of Operation Walk USA here in the Tampa Bay area, we feel we are part of building a lasting legacy of whole-person care. We get to see patients take their first steps after surgery, pain-free and with renewed hope, which underscores the profound impact of this program.”
One of the patients who received a free hip replacement at AdventHealth Carrollwood is Chris Robinson, a former baseball umpire from the Tampa Bay area. Robinson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to regain his mobility and enjoy activities like golfing with his son and gardening without pain.
“At Pioneer Medical Foundation, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers to health care access,” said Ano Kashumba, executive director of Pioneer Medical Foundation. “Through initiatives like Operation Walk USA, we provide not just medical interventions, but also the opportunity for patients to reclaim their independence and live without the burden of chronic joint pain.”
Since its inception, Operation Walk USA has provided over $24.6 million in free joint replacements to more than 900 patients nationwide.
“We are so glad to offer the services of Operation Walk USA again this year,” said Dr. Adolph V. Lombardi, Jr., president and co-founder of Operation Walk USA. “Our orthopedic community is so eager to help restore patient mobility and the quality of life they once enjoyed. We are inspired by the remarkable success stories of our patients and recognize the tremendous efforts of all those who volunteer to make this program so impactful.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.