NRPSBC Concludes Faculty Exchange Programme with Oregon Health & Science University and Operation Smile International

The National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre (NRPSBC), Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has successfully concluded a week-long faculty exchange programme with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) USA, under the facilitation of Operation Smile International.

The programme which was held from 6th to 10th July 2026 brought together surgeons, anaesthetists and resident doctors from both institutions. The visit was aimed at promoting knowledge exchange, academic collaboration and strengthening professional partnerships in reconstructive and cleft surgery.

The programme commenced with a courtesy call on the Hospital's Medical Director, Dr Frank Owusu Sekyere, followed by lectures and a cleft repair simulation session using silicone models at the NRPSBC Micro Lab. The sessions provided an excellent platform for practical learning and skills enhancement for residents and some specialists.

As part of the mission, 21 patients were screened, out of which 13 successfully underwent cleft surgeries, restoring hope and improving the quality of life for the beneficiaries.

Speaking during the programme, the surgical lead, Dr. Waragbani Promise Pieterson described the mission as the first collaboration between Oregon Health & Science University and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital under the facilitation of Operation Smile International.

He explained that the visit primarily served as a fact-finding mission, providing the visiting team with the opportunity to assess the Centre's facilities and equipment, interact with hospital management, understand the range of cases managed at the Centre, and provide training for residents and specialists in both primary and complex cleft lip and palate repairs.

Dr Pieterson further stated that the mission marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between Oregon Health & Science University and the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre. According to him, the collaboration is expected to focus on the management of complex reconstructive cases, specialist training, and the continuous development of resident surgeons throughout their careers. He expressed optimism that the visit will be the foundation of a much broader and impactful partnership in the years ahead.

Also speaking at the programme, Dr Lorri Kathryn Howell, Cleft Surgical Educator from Oregon, noted that Ghana has made significant progress in training surgeons in cleft and craniofacial surgery through its established surgical centres. She explained that repairing cleft lip and palate forms the foundation of cleft surgery and serves as the first step in developing advanced surgical skills.

She commended the commitment of the Centre's residents and specialists and expressed confidence that the partnership would further strengthen cleft care and surgical education in Ghana.

The successful conclusion of the faculty exchange programme underscores the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre's commitment to building international partnerships, advancing surgical education, and delivering world-class reconstructive care to patients.