About Us
Learn More About Operation Walk New York,
Our Work and Who We Are
Operation Walk New York: Our Work
Joint replacement surgery can change someone’s life entirely. The pain and mobility limitations of arthritis can not only be severely disabling but life-altering. Imagine living in a place where there are not enough skilled medical professionals to help you, or the cost of treatment is too high. Sadly, millions of people around the world live without the hope of getting better. The orthopedic resources so commonly available in the United States unfortunately are unavailable in much of the world.
For these very reasons, we have created Operation Walk New York. Our first mission trip, led by Drs. Seth Greenky and Brett Greenky, was to Kathmandu, Nepal in 2011. Nepal, a country with only one physician per 20,000 people, is in great need of specialized medical care. The fifty person team to Nepal included surgeons, medical doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and physical therapists. The team traveled with full supplies and medical equipment to Nepal, the supplies included implants, medications, surgical and post operative supplies. All of this was provided at no cost to the needy individuals.
Operation Walk New York built four of their own operating rooms in Nepal so all the surgeons could operate all day for the entire 8 day trip.
Medical education was an important component of the November 2011 mission. Nepalese doctors observed and assisted in the surgery so that they could gain exposure to the latest orthopedic surgery techniques and technologies. The Operation Walk team also included physical therapists who trained local practitioners to appropriately care for the patients after the teams departure.
New York Organization
Operation Walk New York, the 13th branch of the organization, opened its doors in November 2010.
Co-directors Dr. Brett Greenky and Dr. Seth Greenky are renowned joint replacement surgeons located in Syracuse, NY. The two brothers rank among the highest in New York State in volume of joint-replacement surgeries, together completing an estimated 15,000 joint replacements to date. They launched Operation Walk New York to satisfy their longstanding desire to pursue global humanitarian work.
National Organization
Operation Walk was started in 1995 by Lawrence D. Dorr, M.D. in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Dorr is one of the leading joint replacement surgeons in the United States. On a teaching trip to Russia, Dr. Dorr surmised that one of the best ways to teach physicians was to actually demonstrate the surgery. Dr. Dorr put together a team of surgeons, internal medicine doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, and physical therapists and planned his first Operation Walk trip to Havana, Cuba. Since that time, Operation Walk has expanded to 13 centers across the United States and has been responsible for thousands of free joint replacements across the globe.
General Cost Statistics:
Hospital charges for one surgical replacement:
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Hip: $117,500
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Knee: $119,000
Average cost for 30 replacements of either hip or knee (per mission trip):
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Would be greater than $3 million
Volunteer time donated
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One medical team’s time donated per mission trip would equal $115,320
Physician’s time donated per trip:
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$300,000
Actual Cost for Travel and Delivery of supplies to Nepal in 2011:
In November 2011, a complete medical team from Syracuse with full equipment and supplies to perform surgical procedures for over 70 patients.
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Total expenditures required for the Nepal Program: $300,000
Why We’re Committed
· Intense, unrelenting pain and mobility limitations make experiencing a normal, productive life nearly impossible. The most basic of activities are a challenge and their inability to walk often leaves them unable to provide for themselves or their families.
· We’re excited to lead, organize, and participate in an initiative that will not only restore the ability to walk, but will dramatically impact the lives of those less fortunate.
· The opportunity to provide in-country education to surgeons and health care professionals has a longer standing impact and promotes self-healing and independence.
How Can You Help?
Financial Gifts:
The 50+ professionals who go on these one week mission trips donate their time. Your contribution will assist in funding the more than $200,000 that is required for team transportation, supply shipping, food, lodging, non-donated supplies & necessary repairs to the host hospital’s equipment.
Donated Medical Supplies:
Most supplies are donated by implant & pharmaceutical companies. It is costly to ship the supplies due to the volume and weight of the implants and instrumentation.
Volunteer Staff Persons:
Each trip requires skilled medical personnel and staff persons both here in Syracuse as well as on the actual trip. Please submit application letters to Kim Murray at Operation Walk New York,
5824 Widewaters Parkway, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
Our Process
Local physicians and healthcare providers play a critical role in the process. Many months prior to the trip, these individuals screen, evaluate and take x-rays of potential surgical candidates. The Operation Walk Syracuse team will receive this information months before the scheduled trip. This enables us to plan and assemble the necessary supplies, including the specific joint implants used during surgery.
Intense logistical planning ensues which includes team confirmation, schedule coordination, surgical supply assembly, and transportation of the equipment and supplies to the recipient country. Six to eight tons of supplies will be shipped in advance to our host hospital for each trip.
After arrival in the host country, our surgical teams will assemble and meet the local medical team. Surgeries will be performed with the local team present to provide a hands-on educational experience. Education will continue in the postoperative and rehabilitative phases of care so that the local team will be well prepared to continue the healing process
Operation Walk Trips
Nepal: 2011
Panama: 2012, 2013
Guatemala: 2015, 2016
Ghana: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
Syracuse: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Our Operation Walk New York Doctors
Max R. Greenky, MD
Dr. Max Greenky is a fellowship-trained surgeon specializing in hip and knee joint replacement at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists, Syracuse, New York.
Dr. Max Greenky completed a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction Surgery at Duke University’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He completed his residency and internship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He received his medical degree from the Sydney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating Magna cum laude.
Dr Greenky is Dr. Seth Greenky’s son, one of the founders of the 13th Chapter of this Operation Walk team.
Warren E. Wulff, MD
Dr. Warren Wulff is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal surgery. Although spinal surgery is his area of sub specialization, Dr. Wulff enjoys the practice of general orthopedics as well. He enjoys working alongside our joint replacement surgeons during the mission trips.
Dr. Wulff received his medical degree from the University of Vermont Medical School, his Orthopedic Spine Fellowship from New England Baptist Hospital and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University.
Dr Wulff worked as the primary engineer responsible for the orthopedic product line overseeing production of prosthetic castings, aiding with the design of new prostheses, quality assurance, metallurgical proving, and process refinement.
Stephen P. Bogosian, MD
Dr. Bogosian is a Board-Certified fellowship trained surgeon who specializes in hip and knee joint replacement.
Dr. Bogosian received his medical degree from The State of New York Upstate Medical University and received his Adult Reconstructive surgery fellowship from New England Baptist Hospital, Boston Massachusetts.
Dr. Bogosian was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was an All American football player for two years and elected Captain of the football team. Upon graduation he served in the Army as an infantry officer prior to medical school.
Kevin S. Kleis, DO
Dr. Kleis is an Orthopedic Surgeon in Saratoga Springs, NY who specializes in Total Joint Replacement.
Dr, Kleis received his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his orthopedic residency at Riverside University Health System in California. This is where he met his wife Dr. Tricia Fullerton who also travels with him for anesthesia care. Together, their passion lies in medical missions because they love to travel the world to help others.
Timothy A. Damron, MD
Dr. Damron is a Board-Certified fellowship trained surgeon who specializes in Orthopedic Oncology and Adult Reconstructive Surgery.
He completed his Medical Degree at the University of Illinois, residency at the University of Wisconsin and fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Damron is currently Vice-Chairman and David G. Murray Endowed Professor for the Department of Orthopedics at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He is a former president of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, has many peer-reviewed publications and has authored a text on Orthopedic Oncology and Basic Science.
Dr. Damron serves on many Editorial Boards, has received numerous grants including from the NIH and has been a visiting professor at several institutions.
William W. O’Connor, MD
Dr. O’Connor is a member of the OrthoNY executive committee. Board-
certified in orthopedics, he specializes in care of the hip and knee, as well
as total joint replacement. He completed a three-month fellowship in
trauma at Hospital for Special Surgery, and was co-Director of Trauma at
National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda for the first three months of
2003 was with Iraq, retiring as a Navy Captain.
Jason Scott Mitchell, MD
Dr. Jason Mitchell is a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist who received his Medical degree from the UHS/Chicago Medical School and completed his residency in anesthesiology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, He is the Director of Orthopedic Anesthesia Services at Skokie Hospital in Skokie, Illinois as well as a Senior Clinician Educator at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine. He currently holds the post of President-Elect of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists. Dr. Mitchell has been participating in Operation Walk trips since its inception in 2011.
Dr, Mitchell once went swimming in the indoor and outdoor pools of the Hearst Castle in California.
Tricia M. Fullerton, D.O
Dr. Fullerton received her medical degree from Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York, Albany, NY, where she graduated Cum Laude.
Dr. Fullerton currently works as an anesthesiologist at Glens Falls Hospital. She has presented many research papers and presentations and has been to Nepal and Guatemala on Medical Missions. She has participated in many volunteer opportunities helping children with Cancer and providing physical exams to 3,000 underprivileged high school students.
Dr. Fullerton also enjoys downhill skiing during the winter months and wakeboarding in the summertime.
Photo: Dr. Fullerton in the baby nursery in Ghana.
Gregory G. Kenien, MD
Dr. Kenien is a Board-Certified Cardiologist who received his degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University and completed his fellowship in Cardiology at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Kenien has had multiple Hospital appointments which include the Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory, the Vice Chairman for the Department of Medicine and the Medical Director of Informatics at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, NY.
He was the Class Valedictorian for the State University of NY Upstate Medical Center and has multiple awards and honors along with teaching experience at multiple Hospitals throughout his career.
Dr. Kenien has participated in all the Operation Walk mission teams since 2012.
Luis Javier Castro, MD
Dr. Castro received his medical degree from The State of New York Health Science Center and his Biology degree from Princeton University where he also played varsity football.
Dr. Castro’s honors and awards include the Onondaga County Medical Society Award for Physician Service, the National Hispanic Medical Association Leadership Fellowship, and the Community Service Award from the Medical Society of New York, among others. He is the first ever Family Medicine/Obstetrics physician on staff at the Beebe Healthcare System in Delaware. He is currently a Board member of the Association of Latino Princeton Alumni.
Dr. Castro is an avid Cross fitter and enjoys biking and motorcycle riding in his spare time.He has been on every Operation Walk Mission trip since its inception in 2011. Photo: Dr Castro from recent trip to Ghana
Brian McNiff, D.O, D.A.B.A.
Brian McNiff received his degree in Osteopathic Medicine from NY College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY and his anesthesiology degree from SUNY, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in History from Duke University.
Dr. McNiff currently works as the Chief of Anesthesia at Specialists One-day Surgery Center and is the Section Chief of Orthopedic/Regional Anesthesia at the American Anesthesiology of Syracuse, PC.
He enjoys boating in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.
Photo: Dr. McNiff with the anesthesia group in Ghana.
Our Operation Walk New York Nurses
Adam Varrenti, CNRA
Adam Varrenti is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) currently employed by Community Hospital Anesthesia Group in Syracuse, NY.
Adam received his Master of Science in Nursing Anesthesia at the University of Buffalo. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at SUNY Health Science Center.
CPT Varrenti served 10 years in the US Army Reserve as a CNRA with deployments to Iraq, Germany and Washington.
Adam has traveled with the Operation Walk team since its inception in 2011. Photo: Adam Varrenti and Heidi Glovak
Heidi Glovak, CNRA
Heidi Glovak is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) currently working with the Community General Hospital Anesthesia Group in Syracuse, NY.
Heidi received her master’s degree in nursing for Nurse Anesthesia from the University of Buffalo, SUNY. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Biology, from Genesso College, of the State of New York.
When Heidi is not traveling with Operation Walk, she is traveling for sporting competitions. For the past 7 years she has been training in Kettlebell sports. She has qualified and competed in World Championships in Latvia, Serbia and Hungry to name a few.
Heidi has traveled with the Operation Walk team since its inception in 2011. Photo: Heidi Glovak with a patient.
Our Operation Walk NY Management Team Members
James Colone
Jim Colone has been with Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists for over 30 years as is the Director of Ancillary Services and Program Development.
He is a licensed Medical Imaging Technologist, Board Certified in MRI. Jim has been on multiple Operation Walk trips to Guatemala and Ghana and is our logistics coordinator for cargo and shipping, managing the collection and delivery of 20 pallets of medical supplies safely to the hospital ahead of the team arrival.
Jim is an integral part of the team and has worked tirelessly to ensure the supplies are collected and in working condition, shipped and set up at the host country destination, ready for the physicians to do their work.
Jim is an avid do-it-yourselfer and can fix just about any of his mistakes with duct tape or a hammer! These skills have proven valuable in Ghana!
Photo: Jim with little boy In Ghana.
Janice Saxton
Janice Saxton has been with Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists for 25 years, working for the CEO, Michael Humphrey who is also on the Board of Directors for Operation Walk. Janice has been to Panama, Guatemala, and Ghana on mission trips, assisting the nurses and staff where needed. She coordinates all the paperwork necessary for the trip, passports, visas, patients charts and helps obtain the joint replacements supplies and medications through Grants from multiple companies who generously donate critical supplies for each trip.
Marilyn Shelleman
Marilyn Shelleman is a Registered Nurse who worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital for 22 years. Marilyn is responsible for ordering medications and supplies utilized by the pre and post-operative areas and managing everyday activities/assignments for the nursing staff while on the missions.
Marilyn is an avid traveler with the Operation Walk team since its inception in 2011. She has trekked the Annapurna area in Nepal, and has been to China, Russia, Nepal, Bali, Thailand, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, most of Europe, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Mexico, and many other places. Hoping to get to India and Vietnam.
Peter Jackson
Peter Jones is the operating room coordinator at St. Joseph’s hospital and
has help the Operation Walk team on many trips to secure donations and
assist with some planning and logistical support.
Peter has been on a number of the Operation Walk trips and is integral in
setting up the rooms for the surgeons to perform their operations.
Stacey Ball
.
Stacey Ball is the Materials Manager at Specialists One-day Surgery Center In Syracuse, NY for over 20 years. Stacey has helped facilitate and obtain the supplies that are necessary for the Operation Walk Trips, through donation requests and placing orders on Operation Walk’s behalf. She has been an integral part of the Operation Walk Team. When Stacey is not working she enjoys traveling around NYS camping with her husband and son, gardening or just sitting on her deck watching all the boats go down the Seneca River
Kimberly Murray
.Kimberly Murray RN, MS, CNOR
August 6, 2024
August 6, 2024
Contact Us For More Information
Location
Operation Walk New York
5824 Widewaters Parkway
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 883-5875