At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, our mission is to provide world-class care to our local community. But recently, one of our own, Dr. Ow, traveled across the globe to bring that same dedication to those in desperate need of specialized ENT services.
Dr. Ow recently returned from a medical mission to Kenya with Kenya Relief, an organization dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to underserved communities. Reflecting on the journey, Dr. Ow describes the experience as “medicine stripped down to its essence.”
The Mission: 256 Patients, 56 Surgeries
The trip was grueling but deeply purposeful. In just four days, the medical team treated 256 patients and performed 56 surgical procedures. This included 20 thyroidectomies to treat endemic goiters—conditions that had often gone untreated for years due to a lack of specialized surgical access.
A highlight of the mission was introducing the Vivaer procedure to the region. This non-invasive technology helps patients with nasal airway obstruction breathe more freely, marking a significant step forward in the specialized ENT care available at Kenya Relief’s facilities.
Beyond the Operating Room
For Dr. Ow, the trip wasn’t just about the clinical work; it was about the connection.
“You arrive met by a stranger who needs help—no insurance card, no billing codes, no authorizations,” says Dr. Ow. “Just trust. You’re there to serve, and that’s the entire transaction.”
The journey involved long hours on the road and travel across unforgettable terrain. Still, the rewards were found in the partnerships built with the extraordinary Kenyan staff and the lifelong bonds formed with fellow medical volunteers.
Coming Home with More Than He Gave
While the trip is solely volunteer-based and requires time away from his practice and family, Dr. Ow says he never questioned its value. Between the intense surgical schedule and a “moving, almost spiritual” safari experience, he returned to Sacramento with a renewed perspective on why he entered the medical field in the first place.
Here at SacENT, we believe that exceptional care knows no borders. Dr. Ow’s dedication to serving communities in need, whether right here in Sacramento or halfway across the world, exemplifies the compassion and commitment that drive our practice.
Does Dr. Ow’s journey inspire you? To learn more about the organization he worked with, visit KenyaRelief.org.