Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

For patients with clubfeet, bowed legs, and other orthopedic conditions, Mercy Ships’ orthopedic program and team focus on pediatric orthopedic surgeries. They are there to bring restoration and healing, bringing mobility to patients, and training to local professionals to ensure continued care.

Our Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons provide orthopedic surgical intervention to treat congenital, developmental, or degenerative conditions as well as reconstruction of damage due to injury or infection to children 14 years old and younger.

You will also manage post-operative care of surgical complications and prioritize patient selection.

Our basic profile of surgical procedures is:

• Blount’s disease

• Wind swept deformities

• Genu Valgus

• Quadriceps contractures

• Neglected clubfeet

• Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Things we do not do:

• Chronic osteomyelitis + acute

• Polio contractures

• Non-ambulatory CP children

• Spinal surgeries

• Total Joints

• Acute trauma

• Hip dislocations 8 plates without a trained national surgeon with safe and adequate facility to do the appropriate follow up plate removal.

What you will contribute

• Assessment of potential surgical candidates

• Communicate planned procedures, expected outcomes and potential complications clearly with patients and caregivers, using diagrams & translators when necessary

• Preoperative assessment of surgical candidates

• Work with anesthetic providers and hospital physicians

• Operate on selected candidates as scheduled

• Ongoing consultation for surgical patients

• Potential to train and mentor other Surgeons

For This Role, You Will Need

• Active licensure/ registration within home nation

• Minimum 2 years’ surgical practice following completion of specialty training program

• Active in practice (within the previous six months preferred)

• Fluent in English

• Flexibility and sensitivity to language and cultural diversity

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.