About Us

Benjamin Wooster

Benjamin Wooster, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at the OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializing in adult hip and knee reconstruction. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, followed by an Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His clinical practice focuses on primary, complex, and revision joint replacement, and he serves as the Co-Fellowship Director for the OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center, training the next generation of reconstructive surgeons.

Dr. Wooster has a longstanding commitment to caring for patients with limited access to specialized orthopedic care. He is proud to volunteer with Operation Walk Carolinas and will participate in his fourth consecutive trip, joining a multidisciplinary team to provide hip and knee replacement surgery and comprehensive medical care to patients in Honduras.

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.

John Pinski

John Pinski, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Bon Secours Piedmont Orthopaedics Associates in Greenville, South Carolina, specializing in adult hip and knee reconstruction. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency through the Tufts-affiliated hospitals program in Boston, Massachusetts, followed by an Adult Joint Reconstruction Fellowship at OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina. His clinical practice focuses on primary, complex, and revision joint replacement.

Dr. Pinski has a longstanding commitment to advancing the science of joint reconstruction through research. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in journals including the Journal of Arthroplasty and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, with recent work examining periprosthetic joint infection and outcomes in revision hip and knee arthroplasty. His research training includes fellowships at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and the National Institutes of Health, and he continues to contribute to the field’s understanding of complex reconstructive cases.

This year, Dr. Pinski is excited to embark on his first mission trip with Operation Walk Carolinas.

Raymond Kim

Jose Christlieb

I attended medical school at the Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University) and then completed Internal Medicine residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburg. I am board-certified in Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. I have 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.

This will be my second year attending the Honduras trip. My first trip in 2025 was unforgettable. I had the opportunity to work alongside great nurses, therapists, physician assistants, surgeons, anesthesia staff and many other integral and essential staff members. We had the privilege of meeting and caring for wonderful people whose surgical needs were long overdue.

I am once again grateful to have the honor and opportunity to be a part of this amazing team who provides the much-needed care that Operation Walk brings to the wonderful and most grateful people of Honduras.

Thank you for your help and support. They make this incredibly meaningful mission possible.

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

Sheetal Desai-Oghra

I went on my first OpWalk trip in 2023 to Honduras. Before I left, I explained to my two young boys why I had to go on this incredible mission.  I told them there is no greater joy in this world than serving others and those who are in most need.  I became a physican for this reason and I am so grateful to be a part of the OpWalk organization dedicating their mission to helping the lives of others.

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.

Andrew Patterson

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.

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.

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

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!

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

Tatum Mealing

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!

Lynne Ray

Sarah Mathis

Hey friends!

I have been a physical therapist for almost 12 years and this will be my 3^rd trip with Operation Walk Carolinas.  I had been on missions trips in the past, including a clinical assignment in Belize during PT school, so I was extremely excited when I first learned about Operation Walk from friends at Atrium who had been on past trips, and honored when I was invited to join the team!

I still remember the details of my first Honduras trip –  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 love and support from our friends and family, who prayed for our safety and success, checked in on us, and provided financially.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for your love and support!

Arielle Gardner

Chelsea Blackwelder

Elise Michelle Garcia

Kristen DelBene

Miranda Mendez

Paul Walters

William Arthur Bessett, Jr

Brittany Spong

Gabriela Rodriguez

Kimberly Renner

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!”

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.

Dell James

This is my first mission trip, and I could not be more excited about going! I spent 42 years working in health care, 7 as an LPN/ORT and 35 in the administrative arena. Since retirement, I have been a volunteer at Mayo Clinic Florida, serving for the last 9 years in perianesthesia services, where I met Dr. Springer and became acquainted with OpWalkCarolinas. Having had a TKA myself, I know what this surgery means for the patients being served.

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.

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.