About Us

Benjamin Wooster

Bo Mason

Dr Mason is an adult reconstructive specialist at OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center and professor of orthopedics at Atrium Musculoskeletal Institute. He has spent his career focused on primary and complex hip and knee replacement surgery with particular emphasis in less invasive surgical approaches.  He has extensive experience in implant design and is active in both fellow and resident education.

Bryan Springer

Bryan Springer, MD, is the Medical Director and Co-Founder of Operation Walk Carolinas. He serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic Florida, specializing in adult reconstruction of the hip and knee.

Dr. Springer is actively engaged in research, education, and national leadership. He is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, The Hip Society, and The Knee Society, and a Past President of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society.

His commitment to global outreach began more than a decade ago when he participated in two mission trips to Panama with Operation Walk Denver. Witnessing the transformative impact of joint replacement surgery on patients who otherwise had no access to such care inspired him to help launch Operation Walk Carolinas.

“Our team is committed to delivering life-changing joint replacement surgery to patients in underserved communities. I am honored to work alongside such a talented and dedicated group of volunteers to bring this care to those most in need.”

Support Bryan Springer

These mission trips are 100% voluntary and rely entirely on fundraising. You may choose to support a specific team member or contribute to the mission where it is needed most. Every donation—large or small—makes a difference, and we thank you for your generosity.

Cody C. Wyles

Dr. Cody Wyles is an orthopedic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he specializes in hip and knee replacement surgery. He completed both medical school and residency training at the Mayo Clinic before pursuing an Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction Fellowship with OrthoCarolina. He also directs the Orthopedic Surgery Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Mayo, leading research that integrates advanced technology with clinical practice to improve surgical outcomes for patients worldwide.

Dr. Wyles has a longstanding commitment to medical missions, first traveling to Haiti in 2006 and participating in numerous trips since that time. He has joined Operation Walk on multiple occasions, serving in Central America and the Caribbean to provide joint replacement surgeries for individuals without access to care. These opportunities reflect his belief that restoring mobility restores dignity, allowing patients to return to their families, livelihoods, and communities.

Whether through clinical practice, research, or service abroad, Dr. Wyles is motivated by a conviction that his work is ultimately about more than medicine—it is about bringing hope, healing, and renewal to others, a vision rooted in his faith.

Matthew Lee Hadley

Jose Christlieb

Dr. Christlieb attended The Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University) and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society upon graduation. He then completed Internal Medicine residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He has been practicing as a hospitalist since 1999 and served as hospitalist program director at Westmoreland Regional Hospital and subsequently at St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Christlieb spent time working with Operation Safety Net in Pittsburgh, caring for those experiencing homelessness by providing medical care in multiple settings, including the streets at night and clinics during the day. He also worked managing the medical unit and administering medical care to incarcerated persons in the county prison. “From my earliest memories, I have wanted to be a physician and lead a life of service. I was born in Mexico and grew up as a child of a cardiothoracic surgeon and a cardiac nurse. Residing within The National Institute of Cardiology complex in Mexico City, I lived and breathed the art and passion of medicine. I had a front-row seat witnessing the care and service provided to a diverse population, including the indigent community. These experiences set the stage for fervently pursuing a career of service as a physician.

As a hospitalist, I have many years of experience in the surgical-medical comanagement of patients and have forged close working relationships with my nurse and surgeon colleagues. I was elated, very excited, but most of all grateful to have the honor and opportunity to be a part of the great team providing the wonderful and very needed humanitarian work that Operation Walk brings to the people in these underserved communities.

“….. for the secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.”
Dr. Francis W. Peabody

Allen Kent

My name is Allen Kent. I am a physician assistant working at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville FL.  I was born and raised in Florida.  I enjoy being outdoors and spending time with my wife and two children.  I am in my 7th year working in orthopedics. This will be my first time on the Operation Walk trip. This outreach program provides such an amazing service. I am excited about providing care for the people of Honduras and I am excited to hear their stories.

Brittany Walker White

Gena Marie Walker

Gena Walker is the Associate Chief Medical Officer and practicing hospitalist at St. Clair Health in Pittsburgh, PA.  Prior to relocating to the Pittsburgh area, Dr. Walker lived and practiced in Charlotte, NC, where she got to know several of the Operation Walk team members.  Dr. Walker has expertise in adult inpatient medicine and perioperative medicine.  Her trip to Honduras will mark the fourth time she volunteers with Operation Walk.

Jennifer Suckow

With over 22 years of experience as a Physician Assistant specializing in orthopedics, Jennifer Suckow has dedicated her career to helping patients regain mobility and live pain-free lives. She is now preparing for her ninth medical mission trip with Operation Walk Carolinas, a nonprofit organization that provides free joint replacement surgeries to individuals in underserved communities around the world. Jennifer’s expertise and compassion have made a lasting impact on countless lives, and your support can help her continue this vital work. Donations will go directly toward medical supplies, travel expenses, and patient care—bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.

Jon Hendershot

Jon Hendershot has 21 years of orthopedic experience as a physician assistant.

Of those 21 years my greatest professional accomplishment is joining OpWalk Carolinas.  This will be my fourth trip to Honduras this upcoming spring.  The reward for me going is seeing the joy on the faces of the patients whose lives are changed for the better.  These are patients that otherwise would not have the ability to have joint replacement surgery done.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to join this team again and help make a difference.

Donations will go directly toward medical supplies, travel expenses, and patient care—bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.

Paul Coleman

Paul Coleman is the lead organizer for the OpWalk Carolinas trips. His involvement with Operation Walk began in 2014 when he first participated in humanitarian trips with OpWalk Denver. While he has accompanied the Denver team on several occasions, it only took that single, first trip for him to immediately realize the rippling impact of helping just one individual begin to walk pain-free.

Since that initial trip more than a decade ago, he has helped the OpWalk Carolinas chapter not only launch but to grow and continue to impact lives globally these past several years. He recognizes, though, that this is more than just operating on someone. These humanitarian efforts are about freedom – freedom from pain, freedom to move, and freedom to live a more fulfilling life.

Samantha Creamer

I have been so fortunate in my own life, and I am excited to be able to give back as a new member of Operation Walk Carolinas. The trip to Honduras in 2026 will be my first ever medical mission, and I have no doubt it will be life changing. It will be an honor to be a part of enacting heartfelt and immediate change in a community of need along with a team of volunteers driven by the same values. When I started working in joint replacement for my first physician assistant job 12 years ago, I never could have imagined I would be able to take those skills around the world with the same goal of helping a patient reduce their pain, increase their function, and most importantly, improve their quality of life. Thank you to all those who work tirelessly on the organization and execution of these trips, and thank you to all those who donate to allow these missions to continue!

Amy Whisnant Gavaza

Amy Whisnant is the Director for Perioperative Services for Carolinas Health System representing: Carolinas Medical Center Mercy. Amy has 20+ years of perioperative clinical and management experience spanning from positions in the operating room, surgical services, PACU, Business Management, Ambulatory Surgery Director of Nursing and most recently Perioperative Director for Carolinas Medical Center Mercy.

Ernesto Martinez

Jennifer Lilly

Laura Shepherd

I have been an RN for 13 years. I previously worked at Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital and have been at Atrium Health Mercy for the past 9 years. I graduated from UNC- Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. I have spent my entire career working in the Operating Room, with the majority of my OR experience dealing with Orthopedics. I am passionate about missions and providing care for patient’s during their orthopedic surgeries. This is part of the reason Operation Walk Carolinas is an ideal team for me. I have had the privilege of working with this amazing team of people since 2017. I look forward to what The Lord has in store for me as I continue to work with Operation Walk Carolinas.

Maggie Echeandia

I have been a nurse for 10 years with experience in the Neonatal ICU and Operating Room. The 3 trips I’ve been on with Operation Walk have been the highlight of my career. It is an honor to be able to help such a kind, gracious, deserving community! My work in Honduras has without a doubt made me a better nurse for my patients back home.

Michael Maykowski

Alison Harmon

I have been a nurse for 12 years with a background in intensive care, education, and pre-op and recovery. I am thrilled to join the OpWalk team for the first time this year. It will be an honor to work with this amazing team as we help improve people’s lives.

Bonnie Koski

Gabrielle Spangler

I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC and love every inch of my city. I have been a RN for 4 years solely working with orthopedic patients. I currently work at the Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital where I enjoy caring for patients postoperatively. In my free time I love spending time with my family, listening to music, and studying to receive my Master’s degree in nursing.

Katrina Carta

My name is Katrina Carta and I have been an RN with Novant health system for 2 years. I have been an orthopedic floor nurse for over 8 years now, I graduated with my bachelors degree from SUNY Brockport in western NY. I lived in NY my whole life until I moved to Charlotte a little over two years ago.

Nicole Hall

Pricila Tressler

My journey with Operation Walk began in 2023, when I was privileged to be invited on my first medical mission. This upcoming trip will be my fourth medical mission with Operation Walk-Honduras, and each journey continues to be transformative—professionally, personally, and spiritually. These missions are not only about restoring mobility through life-changing orthopedic surgeries—they’re about restoring dignity, independence, and hope to individuals and families.

With over a decade of nursing experience spanning Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Preoperative, and Post-Anesthesia Care (PACU) settings, I have dedicated my career to delivering compassionate, expert care across life’s most critical moments. Currently, I serve as a Worker’s Compensation Case Manager, where I advocate for injured workers on their road to recovery. My passion for patient care extends beyond the bedside—I’m equally committed to empowering the next generation of nurses through mentorship and education.

As a wife, mother of three, I carry with me a deep sense of cultural pride and purpose in all that I do. My bilingual background has been a vital asset in serving diverse patient populations, and it’s a skill that has only grown stronger through my mission work.

I invite you to be part of this mission. Your donation, no matter the size, directly supports the medical care, supplies, and infrastructure that make these trips possible. Together, we can bring healing across borders and make a lasting impact.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

Brandon Bryant

Erin Devine

I joined the Operation Walk Carolinas family in 2018 as a medical volunteer. I’m convinced that the success of our mission to provide safe, exceptional healthcare to those in need is made possible by the humanity, connection, and oneness cultivated within the Op Walk Carolinas community of patients, family members, volunteers, and supporters. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of an organization that has changed the lives of so many for the better, including my own. Thank you!

Heather Bavola Maykowski

Laura Moore

Hi, I’m Dr. Laura Moore, a board-certified anesthesiologist with seven years of experience. I completed my medical education and training at Wake Forest University, where I built a strong foundation in patient care and furthered my passion for serving others.

Throughout my career, I’ve been honored to care for patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. Now, I’m so excited to take these skills beyond the hospital walls and use them to make a difference on the OpWalk mission trip. Providing safe anesthesia and compassionate care to communities with limited access to medical resources is a dream come true, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Thank you so much for your support — it means the world to me and helps make this mission possible!

Magda Echeandia

Magda is a Registered Nurse at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. After 22 years as a computer engineer, she pursued her childhood passion for nursing and earned her degree from Carolinas College of Health Sciences in 2012. Starting in Progressive Care, she transitioned to Pre-Operative nursing and has been an Oncology nurse since 2018. Known for her problem-solving, clinical judgment, and attention to detail, Magda is also genuinely dedicated to her patients’ well-being, with a special focus on supporting Spanish-speaking individuals. As a native Spanish speaker, she works to ease the stress of language barriers for her patients. Since 2023, Magda has participated in OpWalk surgical trips to Honduras, where she leads the post-anesthesia care unit, contributing to life-changing surgeries for patients.

Randy Efird

Sean McCaffrey

Andrew Kohler

Hello, I am Andrew Kohler, PT, DPT. I’ve been a physical therapist for nine years, with experience in acute care, outpatient settings, and inpatient rehabilitation. One of the most meaningful parts of my work has been serving the Hispanic/Latino community. Being proficient in Spanish has allowed me to connect more deeply with patients, their families, and community leaders.

I’ve had the opportunity to work on international health initiatives in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. During those trips, I worked alongside orthopedic surgery teams, public health educators, and therapy teams to provide comprehensive care.

This will be my first service trip with Operation Walk-Honduras, and I am excited to combine my clinical skills with my passion for serving underserved populations. It’s a unique opportunity to give back, and I’m looking forward to making a positive impact.

Thank you for your support. These trips would not be possible without your encouragement and generosity.

Carlie Turman

Hi there! My name is Carlie Turman PT, DPT and I am the lead physical therapist for the 2026 Operation Walk Rehabilitation Team. I received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2016 and I have been a physical therapist for nine years with experience in acute care, skilled nursing homes and home health.

I’ve been fortunate to participate in international medical mission trips to Haiti, and this marks my third trip to Honduras with Operation Walk. It’s a true honor to be part of such an incredible organization. Our team is made up of exceptionally skilled and compassionate medical professionals who generously volunteer their time and expertise to make a lasting difference—far beyond the communities they serve every day.

As a physical therapist, I’m passionate about giving back and using my skills to help restore mobility, independence, and hope. Our rehabilitation team is especially excited to empower patients in Honduras by providing hands-on physical therapy and sharing the latest in post-operative rehabilitation practices through education and training.

Thank you for your support. None of these trips would be possible without the support from our friends, family and community!

Luis Gaytan-Mercado

Sarah Mathis

Hey friends!

I am Sarah Mathis PT, DPT, and I will have been a PT for 10 years by the time we go on our next Honduras trip!

This will be my 2^nd trip with the Operation Walk Carolinas team.  I had been on missions trips in the past, including a clinical rotation during PT school in Belize, so I was extremely excited when I first learned about Operation Walk from friends at Atrium who had been on past trips.  I was honored to be a part of the team last year, and I am so excited to be invited back for the 2024 trip.

Last year we had 48 patients, with 53 total joints performed, and too many lives (including mine) were changed to even count.  I fell in love with the whole experience, especially the love and gratitude the people of Honduras shared.  I came back humbled and inspired, and on a continuous search for ways I can give back when I have been blessed with so much.

None of these trips would be possible without the support from our friends and family, who prayed for our safety and success, checked in on us, and financially supported us along the way.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for your love and support!

Chelsea Blackwelder

Elise Michelle Garcia

Kristen DelBene

Luke Alexander Waters

Paul Walters

William Arthur Bessett, Jr

William Bessett

Christopher Petrie

Chris Petrie works with Crosslink/Stryker Orthopedics in Charlotte, NC. He, along with a number of his Operation Walk Carolinas teammates have had the opportunity to join the Operation Walk Denver team on two recent missions to Panama. In his nearly 19 years in the Orthopaedic device industry he can tell you these trips have been the most rewarding experiences in his professional career. As a team member he is responsible for securing the implants and instruments utilized in the hip and knee replacement procedures. “Cuba….here we come!”

John Brennan

Sean Rawlings

Aimee Whitaker

Amisha Rayal Adams

Maria Elena Lopez

My name is Maria and I work in Sterile Processing. I’ve been in my field for 15 years and love what I do and know how important my role is for every patient. I love learning new things, to grow in knowledge and be efficient in every area. I like to teach other the importance of expanding their understand in the role they play for patients and how critical a small mistake can make.

Daniel Hill

“I have worked for Stryker Orthopedics for the past 10 years (first in Sydney, Australia and now in North Carolina) and I love what I do. I really enjoy playing a supporting role in these procedures that give patients their lives back. I was blessed to join the 2019 OpWalk Carolina Trip to Panama and see first hand the wonderful work being done. This is an amazing team of people, providing care for an amazing group of deserving patients. I am so grateful to Stryker for supporting these trips and beyond grateful to Dr. Springer and his team for the chance to join them.

Finnegan McAulife Springer

Jennifer Lauren Iannitti

Joe Glynn

This project has become very near and dear to me. After having a total hip done by Dr. Beaver in December of 2018 I was lucky enough to go on the 4/19 Panama trip.

Kate Carlson

Rich Walker

Summerson Springer

I was raised in a small town in West Virginia. I watched family members, friends and other citizens in my community help others daily. As a young child, I learned the joy of helping others without expecting anything in return.