How LFHC is Helping Build the Future of Surgery and Anesthesia in Laos
Earlier this year, LFHC's operating theatre became a learning ground for surgeons and anesthetists alike. Here's a look at two training programs and what they mean for the future of children's healthcare in Laos.
Surgical Training Program (January - March 2026)
When Dr. Marshall Stone, Director of Pediatric Surgery from Florida, United States, agreed to volunteer at Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) for three months, we immediately saw an incredible opportunity.
You may already know Dr. Vee, one of LFHC's pediatricians. He is in his final year of General Surgery residency at the University of Health Science in Vientiane and is on track to become the hospital’s first-ever in-house general surgeon.
It felt like the perfect opportunity to ask the university if Dr. Vee could return to LFHC for an intensive hands-on placement with Dr. Stone and practice in the very same operating theater where he will one day lead.
The university responded with great news. Not only could Dr. Vee come back, but they wanted all of his fellow final-year residents to be part of it too. Over three months, Dr. Stone delivered intensive hands-on mentorship to all 14 residents, and the feedback from the residents and the university has been wonderful.
Because of this success and the positive feedback, if we have the right volunteer and capacity in place for next year, we aim for this to program to grow into a regular collaboration, much like our long-running anaesthesia program that has been a cornerstone of training at LFHC since 2016.
Anesthesia Training Program
The Anesthesia training program started in 2016 and remains one of LFHC's valued partnerships. It exists thanks to the ongoing dedication of Dr. Richard Henker, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, who established and continues to lead the program through Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO). His commitment over these years has made this one of the most consistent and impactful training collaborations we have.
In March 2026, a group of Lao anaesthesiology residents completed the latest two-week clinical rotation at LFHC, focused on ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, a technique that uses imaging to precisely target nerves and improve pain management in children. Funding for this program comes from the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh, which supports practical solutions to global health challenges.
What makes each rotation particularly special is the team behind it.
Alongside Dr Henker, LFHC's four highly experienced nurse anaesthetists play a central role in training the residents, bringing deep practical knowledge and ensuring that teaching is grounded in real, day-to-day clinical practice.
Each rotation gives hands-on experience in ultrasound image acquisition, nerve identification, and regional nerve blocks, applied directly to patient care under supervision. Beyond improved pain control and faster recovery, the approach reduces reliance on inhaled anesthetic gases, supporting more environmentally sustainable care.
Year after year, this program has built a growing pool of skilled anesthetists across Laos. The March 2026 cohort is the latest chapter in that ongoing story, and the model we hope our new surgical collaboration will one day follow.
LFHC’s Operating Team is Growing from Strength to Strength
The operating theatre at LFHC has become a place where great things happen, making us very proud!
Throughout the years, LFHC has welcomed international organizations that bring specialist teams (such as in eye surgery, burns, orthopedics, and cleft lip and palate repair), giving our patients access to life-changing procedures and giving our local staff the chance to learn alongside world-class talents.
At the same time, we are shaping the training of future Lao healthcare professionals.
We are proud of what our OT represents and what it is becoming. Not just a place that delivers high-quality care, but a place that builds capacity, grows expertise, and quietly raises the standard of healthcare in Laos.
Watch the video below to learn more about the HVO’s Anesthesia workshop at LFHC.
