Donald Lee

VUMC volunteers prepare a patient for surgery during Orthopaedics Outreach Day at Vanderbilt Surgery Center in Franklin. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Volunteers lend a helping hand at Orthopaedics Outreach Day

Approximately 60 VUMC volunteers, including surgeons, pre- and post-op nurses and check-in, anesthesia, sterile, supply and cleaning staff, took over the Vanderbilt Surgery Center in Franklin to provide free surgical treatment to uninsured or underinsured Middle Tennesseans.

More than 60 VUMC volunteers came together to offer surgical treatment on Orthopaedic Outreach Day

The annual event provides necessary surgery to uninsured patients

Volunteers at the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Outreach Day provided free surgical treatments to 15 uninsured patients.

Orthopaedic Outreach Day lends a helping hand

Patient Clearissa Griggs gets a pre-surgical check from Caroline Wilburn, RN, BSN, and attending anesthesiologist Chris Canlas, MD, during Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s “Touching Hands” Outreach Day.

Event continues VUMC tradition of providing free hand surgeries

For the fourth straight year, VUMC surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and support staff provided free surgeries for underinsured individuals with chronic upper extremity conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome and cysts.

Last weekend, people who are uninsured received free treatments for outpatient upper extremity conditions at Vanderbilt Bone & Joint in Franklin.

Event provided free hand surgeries for uninsured patients

Hand surgeons and other Vanderbilt Health staff offered surgeries to people who are uninsured and need surgical treatment for outpatient upper extremity conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ganglion cysts.

close-up of hand wearing wrist brace while typing

Broken shoulder leads to carpal tunnel syndrome surgery study

After injuring his shoulder, a psychology professor collaborated with his orthopedic surgeon on a study to see how quickly patients regained their typing speed after carpal tunnel surgery.