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Simul Can Play

April 05, 2017

Four-year-old Simul has had a very difficult childhood. His mother and father left him when he was only a small baby, and he was raised by his grandmother. At an early age, he began to have difficulty seeing. His grandmother heard about an eye health outreach program happening in their town and took Simul to be examined.

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Vietnam

August 21, 2019

Our world-class Flying Eye Hospital has arrived in Hue, Vietnam, for a three-week teaching and training project working alongside the Ministry of Health and the Hue Eye Hospital.

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Chile For State-of-the-Art Simulation Training

May 16, 2019

The Flying Eye Hospital has touched down in Santiago, Chile for the very first time ahead of its second project of 2019. Thanks to the generosity of our project sponsor, Collins Aerospace, we will focus on strengthening the skills of local teams through cutting-edge simulation training.

The World's Only Flying Eye Hospital is Coming to Canada

May 16, 2019

From May 31 to June 11, the one-of-a-kind Orbis Flying Eye Hospital will visit Canada for an awareness-building tour, making stops in Ottawa from May 31 – June 3 and Toronto from June 9 – 11.

Watch this robot.... fight blindness!

May 24, 2019

The world is on the cusp of a tech revolution and more skilled tasks are being performed by machines than ever before – like fighting avoidable blindness around the world…

Five Reasons Blindness is a Gender Issue

May 28, 2019

Gender is something that’s discussed a lot these days, but no one is talking about the gender gap in blindness – 139 million women & girls are living with blindness and vision loss. That's 25 million more women than men.

So why does this injustice exist? Here are five reasons...

See Her Potential

June 02, 2019

Blindness is a gender issue – one that leaves millions of women and girls without the same access to quality eye care that men receive. Thanks to our amazing local partners and committed supporters, we're working to close the gender blindness gap and help women and girls reach their full potential.

Update: Women Deliver 2019

June 05, 2019

We're fortunate to have some extraordinary women at the heart of the Orbis family. Right now, five of us are at the Women Deliver conference in Canada where thousands of people have come together to tackle the biggest issues women and girls face around the world.

The View From The Cockpit: 10 Questions With Captain Gary Dyson

November 10, 2020

Orbis’s Chief Pilot, Gary Dyson, quite literally leads our fight against avoidable blindness – landing our plane safely in communities around the world. We took a moment with Gary to reflect on his lifetime dedicated to giving back and changing lives.

HATCH: Making Positive Change through Plane Pull for Sight

July 22, 2019

Sporting their bright orange t-shirts, big smiles, and infectious enthusiasm, the team from Hatch have been a mainstay at our Plane Pull for Sight events in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver for the past three years.

Women Deliver: Seven Take-Aways

July 22, 2019

This June, over 8,000 extraordinary people came together at Women Deliver in Vancouver to share ideas and champion a more equal world for women across the globe. Here are some takeaways that we found inspiring:

Vietnam: Young Tam Saved From a Life of Blindness

July 30, 2019

Tam from Quy Nhon, Vietnam struggled with his vision from an early age. But thanks to your support, and the work of our Vietnam country office and partners, we were able to give Tam his sight back without any cost to his family. Tam was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts and had it not been spotted in time, he would have been blind permanently.

Vietnam: Phuong Is No Longer Teased at School

August 01, 2019

Phuong from Hoai Nhon, Vietnam, was three months old when her family first spotted her crossed-eyes. After years of wrongly being told that glasses would fix her poor vision, an Orbis-supported school screening program finally gave little Phuong and her anxious mother hope for the future.

Vietnam: Now that Khang can see, nothing stands in his way

August 06, 2019

Six-year-old Khang from Vietnam was born with ptosis, Later, he developed a squint which - if left untreated - could cause blindness. Thanks to the help of our supporters and amazing partners who enabled him to have the two sight-saving surgeries he needed, this bright boy can look forward to a bright future.

Flying Eye Hospital Prepares For Vietnam

August 08, 2019

Our Flying Eye Hospital staff and crew are gearing up for the next project in Hue, Vietnam, marking its 10th trip to this beautiful country. The three-week project - due to begin later this month - will be focusing on diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and childhood blindness.

Contact Us

Need help planning your multi-team event? Well, you've come to the right place. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Q&A with Dr. Bradford Lee: First-Time Volunteer Faculty

May 15, 2019

Oculoplastics surgeon Dr. Bradford Lee joined the Orbis family in March 2019 to share his top class skills with local eye doctors from across the Caribbean. The former Cellist and Pianist works at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Florida. We sat down with him in Kingston to find out more about his first experience with Orbis.

Vietnam Flying Eye Hospital Project Wrap-Up

September 19, 2019

Our 2019 Flying Eye Hospital Project in Hue, Vietnam, has now drawn to close. The three-week project was a resounding success, thanks in no small part to the commitment and enthusiasm of our local partners from the Hue Eye Hospital.

World Sight Day: Give a Child a Reason to Smile

September 26, 2019

Thursday, October 10th is World Sight Day. We’re celebrating this important international day with a special campaign from October 1 - 14 to build awareness and raise money for our fight against the ever-growing issue of avoidable blindness and visual impairment – and we need you to join us!

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Myanmar

September 27, 2019

The dust had barely had time to settle on the runway in Vietnam before the Flying Eye Hospital touched down for its next training project. Our staff and crew have hit the ground running in Mandalay, Myanmar where we’ve just begun a two-week training project.

CHIEF FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER - DANUSIA DZIERZBINSKI

Danusia joined the organization as CFO in September 2019 and oversees the management of Orbis Finance.

World Sight Day Special Feature: Thirst for Knowledge Fuels Orbis Volunteer

October 04, 2019

With nearly 60 Flying Eye Hospital and hospital-based training programs to his credit over the span of 18 years, Dr. Carlos Solarte has truly seen and experienced everything Orbis offers around the world.

Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the world, accounting for around 35% of global blindness according to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. But what are cataracts, what are their main causes and what can be done to treat or prevent them?

Glaucoma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

According to the International Agency for the Prevention Blindness, glaucoma is the third leading cause of blindness in the world, affecting around 3 million people. But what is glaucoma, how is it caused and what can be done to treat or prevent it?

Watch & Share: Solution In Sight

November 18, 2019

Watch our new documentary film following some of our staff and crew on our recent project in Myanmar. This short film gives a behind-the-scenes account of what it's like to work on the front lines of the fight against avoidable blindness.

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Ghana

November 21, 2019

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital has touched down in Accra, Ghana for a three-week teaching and training project. It’s the third time the plane has been in Ghana where our teams will be working alongside our usual partners - the Ministry of Health, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

World Sight Day - GivingTuesday

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Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Diabetic retinopathy affects an estimated one-third of people with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in adults between 35-50. But what is diabetic retinopathy, what causes it and what can be done to treat or prevent it?

Orbis Launches New Fund to Invest in Tech & Innovation

December 12, 2019

With global blindness and visual impairment expected to triple by 2050, we’ve launched a new fund designed to help us invest in technology and innovation to reach more people - more efficiently - than ever before.

Denzil Can Move Forward With His Life After Cataract Surgery

May 15, 2019

According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, over 1.1 million people suffer from vision loss in the Caribbean, with Cataract accounting for 50% of this number.

Jamaica: Flying Eye Hospital Project Highlights

May 15, 2019

The Flying Eye Hospital and our family of staff, crew and Volunteer Faculty have recently returned from a hugely successful 19-day program in Kingston, Jamaica.

Below we share some amazing images and brand new updates from our partners and volunteers.

Holiday Appeal: Restore sight and hope to children like Megha

December 12, 2019

If you met Megha, you would immediately see that this bright fourth grader from Nepal wears her glasses with pride. The simple lenses do more than just correct her vision. Without them she would have been destined to a life of poverty and dependence. And it's thanks to our kind supporters that Megha can now see a bright future.

Helping Women Fight Trachoma in Ethiopia

March 07, 2019

We recently celebrated our 20th anniversary working in Ethiopia. For the past two decades, we've been part of the international consortium leading the global effort to eliminate blinding trachoma, an infectious disease that disproportionately affects women.

WORLD DIABETES DAY: THE HIDDEN RISK OF BLINDNESS

November 13, 2018

14th November is World Diabetes Day and we’re shining a spotlight on the role that the Orbis family is playing in tackling one of the fastest growing causes of avoidable blindness – diabetic retinopathy.

OBAT Canada

With support from OBAT Canada, we are working with our partners to reduce preventable vision loss and blindness due to cataracts among Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh. In most cases, a cataract can be removed – and a person’s vision restored – with a simple, quick and inexpensive surgery.

Birketo can see his grandson again

December 10, 2018

As we’re celebrating two decades of sight-saving work in Ethiopia we’re sharing stories of the lives being transformed thanks to the Orbis family. One of the people we caught up with is Birketo. He was almost totally blind for three years but thanks to an Orbis-sponsored cataract program he can now see again.

Meet the bear with the best job ever!

December 19, 2018

Our volunteers fly all over the world to fight avoidable blindness. But, while they’re giving the gift of sight, there’s a particularly fluffy member of our team making a different kind of impact…

What's in your eye?

December 20, 2018

The human eye is an amazing organ! Let’s take an in-sight-ful look at what’s actually happening inside your eye. Warning: this article couldn’t be cornea... see what we did there?

Explore the History of the Flying Eye Hospital

For more than 35 years, the Flying Eye Hospital has been at the cutting edge of aviation, technology and change – bringing vital eye care to thousands of people worldwide.

Combining tech & hands-on training to help more people see

March 25, 2019

Here at Orbis, we recognize that the need for innovative technologies and global collaboration is more important than ever in the fight against avoidable blindness. That's why we've developed special 'blended learning' courses - alongside partners such as the Alcon Foundation - to boost the skills of eye care teams around the world.

Vote for Flying Eye Hospital Chief Pilot, Gary Dyson

February 14, 2019

We’re delighted to announce that our Chief Pilot, Captain Gary Dyson, has been nominated for an Endeavor Award. This prestigious award recognizes pilots who go above and beyond and give back to their communities through volunteering.

New Diabetic Retinopathy Program Launched in Bangladesh

February 21, 2019

A staggering one-third of 10 million diabetics in Bangladesh risk going blind because so many sufferers go undiagnosed. A new project in the Gopalganj district - unveiled by our CEO Bob Ranck - is dedicated to combating an explosion of blindness caused by diabetes.

Technology and Innovation in Eye Care

With avoidable blindness set to triple by 2050, we need to reverse the trend before it’s too late. The old way simply isn’t working. We need to push boundaries and lead from the front of eye health innovation now, if we’re going to help ensure a brighter tomorrow.

Orbis Chief Pilot Gary Dyson Wins Endeavor Award

March 04, 2019

We’re thrilled to announce our wonderful Flying Eye Hospital Chief Pilot, Gary Dyson, has won an Endeavor Award. The award recognizes pilots who go above and beyond to transform lives by volunteering their time and skills to good causes.

Peter Gilgan Foundation

Thanks to the Peter Gilgan Foundation, Orbis established the first-ever retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening, treatment and referral service network in Bangladesh’s Chittagong and Rangpur Divisions, helping move another step closer to a national network of high-quality ROP services across the country.

Meet the Women Fighting Blindness in Bangladesh

March 07, 2019

The Singra Vision Center in Bangladesh is a unique place to go for eye care. It’s successfully run by three hardworking and dedicated eye health professionals who are all women in their 20s.

The Women Fighting Blindness in Zambia

March 07, 2019

In 2015, we conducted a research initiative to investigate why fewer women than men were accessing cataract surgical treatment in the Northwest province.

The Flying Eye Hospital is Coming to Ottawa

From June 1-3, our amazing Orbis Flying Eye Hospital – the only one of its kind in the world – will be visiting Ottawa. Don't miss your chance to check it out.

International Women's Day: Meet Orbis hero Valerie Suberg

March 07, 2019

In honor of International Women's Day we're delighted to introduce you to a vital member of the Orbis family - Valerie Suberg - our Senior Manager of Aircraft Maintenance. Without this incredible woman, our Flying Eye Hospital would never get off the ground - literally.

A Life Dedicated to Fighting Blindness in Mongolia

March 07, 2019

As one of the most qualified cataract ophthalmologists in Mongolia, Dr. Enkhutshin's work ethic is pretty inspiring. With the country's cataract rates so high and a cataract surgical rate the lowest in Asia, she's committed to fighting blindness in her country by sharing eye care skills with local eye care teams.

Blindness Gender Inequality - Women and Girls

Blindness is a gender issue that no one is talking about. There are 139 million women & girls living with blindness - that's 25 million more women than men. Below, we explore the reasons behind this injustice and profile some of the women who are doing something about it. After all, a brighter future for women is a brighter future for the planet.

Partnering with Influential Women in the Community

March 07, 2019

In 2017 we began partnering with 'Queen Mothers' - a group respected women who use their influential positions in their communities to help improve public awareness on eye care in Ghana.

Jamaica 2006: Building Lasting Partnerships

March 22, 2019

The first Flying Eye Hospital program of 2019 will be taking place in Jamaica at the beginning of April – marking the 8th time our crew have visited this beautiful island.

Fundraise for Orbis

Do you want to plan your own event or online campaign to fundraise for Orbis? Whether you'd like to plan a community run, hold a neighbourhood garage sale, host a games night, take on an obstacle course race, organize a bake sale, or just mark an important milestone or occasion with an online fundraising campaign, we're here to support you!

Flying Eye Hospital Lands in Jamaica

March 27, 2019

The first Flying Eye Hospital project of 2019 is under way – marking the 8th time the plane has landed in Jamaica and our 25th project in the Caribbean!

Where We're Going in 2019

After a busy beginning to the year with awareness raising tours and aircraft maintenance, our Flying Eye Hospital team are preparing for more sight saving trips where they'll be taking some of the best eye teams in the business to share their skills in the communities that need it most.

Bulgan Orgilsaikhan – How an Orbis Surgery Transformed a Future

April 10, 2019

Twenty years ago in Mongolia there were no experts in tear duct surgeries, so when the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital announced a stop in the country, Bulgan’s eye doctor was quick to ask for their help. For the then 11-year-old and her family, this was a life-changing moment.

Orbis Unveils First Children’s Initiative in India’s Poorest Region

April 15, 2019

In Bihar, India, over 700,000 people are blind with just less than half unable to access sight-saving surgery. The region also has the lowest literacy rates for girls and half of the population currently lives below the poverty line.

Flying Eye Hospital Celebrates First All-Female Flight Crew

April 25, 2019

We have some exciting news! Our Flying Eye Hospital welcomed its first ever all-female flight crew last week on a flight between Kingston, Jamaica and Memphis, Tennessee.

Life on Board the Flying Eye Hospital: 10 Questions with Celia Yeung

May 14, 2019

Communications manager, Celia, has just completed her last Flying Eye Hospital project in Kingston, Jamaica. We took a moment to sit down with one of the most inspiring members of the Orbis family and reflect on her incredible work over the past seven and a half years.

Flying Eye Hospital Jamaica Project in Numbers

April 29, 2019

When you think of Jamaica, you might imagine clear waters, white sand and beautiful views. But did you know that many people in the Caribbean are suffering from treatable blinding conditions?

The Teachers Making a Difference in Eye Health

May 02, 2019

Those who can, teach. For many of the children we've worked with, it was school that first revealed issues with their sight. So as it's Teacher Appreciation Week, we're paying tribute to the wonderful, hard-working individuals who do so much to help their students. Read some of their stories below.

Retinopathy of Prematurity: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disease that affects premature infants and is the leading cause of blindness among children worldwide. It's particularly prevalent in Latin America & South East Asia where more premature babies are being saved, but few hospitals have the skills & resources to deliver the care needed.

Ghana: Flying Eye Hospital Project Highlights

December 17, 2019

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital team and our fantastic Volunteer Faculty have wrapped up their 18-day trip to Accra, Ghana.

Scroll down for all the latest from our final project of 2019, including photo slideshows and stories from patients and volunteers.

INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: 20 YEARS IN ETHIOPIA

We're celebrating 20 years of fighting blindness in Ethiopia. Take a moment to scroll through the highlights from this amazing milestone. A big thank you to all our wonderful staff, partners and volunteers, without whom, none of this would be possible.

What is trachoma disease and how does it cause blindness?

Trachoma is an infectious eye disease and one of the leading causes of blindness globally. If left untreated it can develop into trichiasis - a painful condition where the eyelids turn inwards and the eyelashes rub against the surface of the eye leading to irreversible blindness.

Saving Little Marla from a Life of Blindness

September 16, 2020

Little Marla was born with congenital cataracts. If she hadn't received surgery at an Orbis-supported hospital in Mongolia, she would have suffered permanent vision loss. Now, she is just one member of the generations of children who can grow up to lead independent lives with healthy sight.​

WEBSITE TERMS & CONDITIONS

SAFEGUARDING, TRUST & TRANSPARENCY

At Orbis, everything we do is guided by our vision to transform lives through the prevention and treatment of blindness.

We have high standards for how we achieve this. Here you will find information on how we keep people safe, our financial accountability and our safeguarding policies.

Celebrating 20 Years of Fighting Blindness in India

October 07, 2020

On World Sight Day, we celebrate 20 years of fighting blindness in India with our supporters and partners. Since our Delhi office was established in 2000, our India team has delivered millions of successful eye screenings, treatments, and surgeries - transforming the lives of children like little Vaishnava above.

Orbis International Releases the First-Ever Eye Care Simulation Manual

October 08, 2020

At Orbis, we have a long history of using technology and innovation to improve access to eye care. The pandemic has changed the way we teach and the way we learn, but our investment in innovative solutions, like simulation and telehealth, means we are in a good position to adapt to this 'new normal'.

Orbis-trained health worker protecting his community through the pandemic

October 19, 2020

Temesgen is an Integrated Eye Care Worker (IECW) based at a health centre in Ethiopia. He was first trained by Orbis in 2012 and has been working as an IECW for eight years. IECWs are primary care nurses trained in eye care to identify and treat infections, TT and refractive error and to refer patients to district and regional units as appropriate.

SIGHTLINES: Educational Eye Health Medical Podcasts | Orbis

SIGHTLINES is a new Orbis Video Podcast series hosted by our very own Dr. Hunter Cherwek, Vice President of Clinical Services. The series will discuss the global fight against blindness, how COVID-19 is impacting that fight, and how Orbis is innovating to overcome and move forward.

Don’t Miss the Best Zoom Party of the Year

November 10, 2020

As we gear up for our December 1st Virtual Plane Pull for Sight, we touched base with one of our team captains from September’s event to find out why his team had so much fun participating in this one-of-a-kind virtual experience.

SIGHTLINES Episode 1: Trachoma and COVID-19: Tackling Infectious Disease

November 10, 2020

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 1: TRACHOMA AND COVID-19: TACKLING INFECTIOUS DISEASE TRANSCRIPT

SIGHTLINES Episode 2: The Orbis Spirit of Innovation

November 12, 2020

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 2: THE ORBIS SPIRIT OF INNOVATION TRANSCRIPT

World Prematurity Day

Every year on November 17, World Prematurity Day is marked globally to raise awareness of the 15 million babies born early & the impact it has on families. Being born preterm also comes with the risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity & blindness. But what is Retinopathy of Prematurity and what can we do about it?

YOU’VE TRAINED COUNTLESS HEROES DURING THE YEAR OF THE NURSE

November 18, 2020

Despite being in lockdown in her village in Wuhan, China, Orbis Nurse Xiao Ying continued her work. Xiao Ying couldn’t travel on Orbis’s Flying Eye Hospital because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But thanks to the internet and Orbis supporters like you, this dedicated nurse continued to teach and help other nurses build their skills.

Orbis Doctors go from Students to Teachers

August 25, 2020

For many doctors, their journey with Orbis continues throughout their career. And Dr. Andrea Molinari and Dr. Suma Ganesh are no different. After years of learning from their own Orbis mentors, they are both passing on their skills to the younger generation.

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 3: A NEW FLIGHT PLAN

November 18, 2020

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 3: A NEW FLIGHT PLAN TRANSCRIPT

PRIVACY POLICY

Project Orbis International Inc. (""Orbis Canada"; “Orbis”) wants you to know how we use and protect the important information you provide to us through our websites, technology, applications, content, products, and services (our “Platforms”). This information summarizes our policy, procedures and practices.

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 4: AVIATION FOR GOOD

November 26, 2020

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 4: AVIATION FOR GOOD TRANSCRIPT

Skills learnt with Orbis are helping this health worker protect his patients during the pandemic

November 26, 2020

Charles Chikwanda, an ophthalmic clinical officer trained by Orbis, works in a mining town in Zambia which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His town is particularly susceptible to coronavirus cases as it is on busy route between the countries, and people often spend a few days in the town before they are cleared to get into DRC.

Ghana: Hakeema can thrive at school without her squint

December 14, 2020

We met this bundle of energy during our recent Flying Eye Hospital project in Ghana. Hakeema was treated for squint by our team of volunteer doctors and local partners at the Korle Bu Eye Centre.

Strabismus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Strabismus is a common condition that causes the eyes to look in different directions when focusing. It usually presents itself in early childhood, but can also occur later on in life. If not detected and treated early, it can have a detrimental and permanent effect on vision - potentially leading to blindness.

EYE BELIEVE Campaign 2020

For the month of December, we’re asking you to believe. Help us raise $100,000 this holiday season to change the lives of countless babies, children, parents and grandparents, each one with a unique, but all too familiar story of the devastating impact of vision loss. I believe. You believe. We believe!

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 5: UNSEEN CHALLENGES OF COVID-19

December 03, 2020

Gay Lea Foundation

With support from the Gay Lea Foundation, the "Integration of Community Eye Care in Ashanti Region, Ghana" project will help create access to high-quality primary eye care at the community level, increase awareness about good eye health, and improve positive health seeking behaviour in the Sekyere South District.

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 6: WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD

December 10, 2020

SIGHTLINES EPISODE 7: THE NEW NORMAL IN EYE CARE

December 17, 2020

Thank You & Happy New Year!

January 12, 2021

2020 was a difficult year - a year like no other. But we'd like to say a huge thank you to our supporters for filling it with sight and hope. Watch and share this video and together we can keep #HopeInSight for 2021.

MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE ORBIS FLYING EYE HOSPITAL

August 27, 2020

We'd like to introduce you to Bruce Johnson, a retired US Air Force flight engineer turned FedEx flight instructor who now oversees an ‘engineering masterpiece’, the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital.

ACTING CHIEF OF PROGRAMS - ARLENE LOZANO

Arlene Lozano joined Orbis International in 2017 bringing over 15 years of experience in program management and process improvement for domestic and international organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Peru: Saving The Sight Of Triplets At Risk Of Retinopathy of Prematurity

January 03, 2020

When Elisa first learned that her newborn triplets were at risk for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), she didn’t know what it meant. “I didn’t know anything about eye conditions,” she said. Her three older children hadn’t been screened for ROP and this was the first time she’d heard of it.

Orbis Anaesthesiologist Providing Critical Care on Front-lines against Coronavirus

April 29, 2020

Staff Anaesthesiologist, Dr. Andrew Choyce, started volunteering with Orbis 15 years ago. For the last 10 years he's been splitting his time between the Flying Eye Hospital and two UK hospitals. Like other Orbis medical staff and Volunteer Faculty, Andrew is now using his skills on the front-line of the pandemic in his native country of England.