Research
Research in low-income countries
Understanding the issues facing hospitals in low-income countries is pivotal to providing corrective action. We are committed to research that drives better surgical care.
Surgical outcomes
Procedures performed in El Petén, Guatemala — 188 total as of June 2025.
| Procedure | Cases |
|---|---|
| Inguinal Hernia | 58 |
| Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy | 50 |
| Open Cholecystectomy | 29 |
| Urology | 22 |
| Umbilical Hernia | 11 |
| Lipoma | 9 |
| Ventral Hernia | 3 |
| Other | 6 |
| Total | 188 |
For medical students
We cannot fund individual research activities at this time, but interested medical students may receive mentorship directly from Dr. Huerta. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be enrolled at an accredited U.S. medical school.
- Obtain permission from your institution's Global Health Office.
- Secure all project funding independently (travel, accommodation, expenses).
- Obtain IRB approval from your institution.
- Focus the project on general surgery.
- Conduct the project at Hospital Nacional in San Benito, El Petén, Guatemala.
- Have Dr. Huerta secure hospital-director and surgery-chief approval.
- Present your findings at a national conference.
- Submit your research findings for publication.
Interested? Send your research proposal to aid.via.action@gmail.com.
AVA Global Health Journal
Our publications are co-authored by medical students and address the realities of global surgical care, the ethics of medical volunteerism, and outcomes from our work in Guatemala.
For our reading list and published manuscripts, reach out and we'll be glad to share.
Request publications