Scalpel At The Cross

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Scalpel At The Cross

Scalpel At The Cross is a ministry of medical and surgical care to the Peruvian people and to the missionaries who serve them. www.scalpelatthecross.org

The goal of Scalpel At The Cross is to support and amplify on-going Christian ministries within the country of Peru. The addition of this orthopaedic medical ministry offers much needed aid to an area with a long history of poverty and injustice. The specific location of the Scalpel At The Cross medical ministry is the city of Pucallpa, which lies in the Department of Ucayali near the western border of Brazil. This burgeoning town is now home to nearly 300,000 Peruvians. In contrast to Lima, which does have modern, colonial areas, this jungle town is a continuous maze of cramped, subsistence housing and dusty, open-air markets. Very little substantial industry exists in Pucallpa today. Most people are laboring to earn a living by subsistence farming, artisan craftwork or as small shop owners or mototaxi drivers. For these reasons, many medical needs are currently not being met. By offering much needed orthopaedic consultation and surgical care, Scalpel At The Cross hopes to improve the lives of these individuals and touch their hearts for Christ.

10/26/2025

🙌🏼 Great news, all of the team’s bags made it safely from Lima to Pucallpa. Praise God for smooth travels and no lost luggage! Upon arriving, the team immediately got to work, unloading trucks, organizing supplies, and assembling implant trays.

🇵🇪 Saturday marked the first full clinic day, and it was a powerful reminder of why the team is here. Around 120 patients were seen, some returning for follow-ups and others visiting for the first time. These moments went far beyond medical appointments; they became sacred encounters of connection, testimony, and faith.

🩺 Each patient received compassionate care, ranging from evaluations and joint injections to physical therapy sessions. Every single one was prayed over. During those prayer times, the team witnessed not only bodies being restored but souls being renewed.

In the afternoon, the team returned to Jungle Bunks for case discussions and preparation for the upcoming surgical schedule. Surgeons, techs, and therapists worked together to review each case in detail, ensuring that every patient seen at clinic could receive the care they needed in the coming week.

The team asks for continued prayer for discernment and wisdom as they select patients for surgery, with a focus on foot and ankle cases this campaign. Please also pray that the hearts and minds of those they serve would be open to God’s invitation, and that the team would be a conduit of His redeeming grace as we continue to heal hearts and bones in the Amazon Jungle.

10/24/2025

✈️ Our team is off to Pucallpa, Peru! 🇵🇪🦙

Please join us in prayer as our SATC medical campaign is happening now from October 23rd–November 2nd.

Pray for safe travels, that every team member and piece of equipment will arrive on time and without complication. Additionally, please pray for equipment readiness—for surgical tools, supplies, and logistics to come together smoothly in the jungle environment.

Most importantly, pray for hearts prepared to serve, and that God would work through every surgery, conversation, and moment of care to bring eternal hope to those we meet.

Each trip is a step of faith, and every patient is a testament to God’s perfect timing. Your prayers make all the difference. Thank you for standing with us! 🙏💛

10/22/2025

What an incredible evening in Phoenix last Saturday celebrating Scalpel At The Cross! 🌵

Capping off a remarkable week at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association's Annual Meeting, our Scalpel surgeons, staff, and board had the joy of hosting a special fundraiser. We were deeply moved by the stories shared, the relationships strengthened, and the passion in the room to continue advancing healing—both physical and spiritual—across the Peruvian Amazon.

A heartfelt thank you to all our guests who went out of their way to join us, and to our incredible internal team who rallied together to share the core intention behind this mission. We know that nights like Saturday bear lasting fruit—impact that transcends any single person or event.

If you feel led to take part in the good work being done, we invite you to join the Miracle Workers Community—a recurring giving initiative that fuels this work year-round. Even if you can’t travel or serve in person, your generosity directly supports those on the ground delivering care and spreading hope.

This program was launched earlier this year with a vision for transparency, stewardship, and commitment, and we’ve already seen tremendous momentum. Still, there is more work to be done, and we trust that God will continue to provide. 🇵🇪💛

10/19/2025

Save the Date!

We’re thrilled to share that the Scalpel At The Cross Gala is returning to Miami on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, starting at 5:30pm in the beautiful Rusty Pelican !

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating 22 years of life-changing orthopaedic care in the Peruvian Amazon.

•Keynote Speaker: Mark Richt

•Special Feature: A powerful panel discussion you won’t want to miss

SPONSORSHIP opportunities are now available! We’re aiming to have all sponsorships confirmed by October 31st!

Click the link below to explore how you can partner with us for this incredible event: https://bit.ly/SATCgala25

We can’t wait to celebrate with our Miami family once again! 💛🌴🙌

10/17/2025

Meet Julia, our newest staff team member!

We’re thrilled to introduce Julia Kruse, the newest addition to the Scalpel At The Cross team in Peru! Originally from Germany, Julia has been serving as a physical therapist in Peru for more than three years. Her heart for helping others and sharing the love of Jesus shines through in all she does.

“I love my job and I’m grateful that I can use it to follow my calling to serve others and tell them about Jesus’ love. God has given me the privilege of helping people, and I believe everyone deserves good medical care, no matter their status or where they come from.”

Julia’s passion for both healing and ministry beautifully reflect Scalpel’s mission to bring light, hope, and healing to the people of Peru. Join us in giving her a warm welcome to the SATC family!

10/12/2025

Board Member Spotlight: Dr. Bryan Den Hartog, M.D.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Bryan Den Hartog to the Scalpel At The Cross Board of Directors. With over 35 years of orthopaedic experience, Dr. Den Hartog brings exceptional expertise in foot and ankle surgery, specializing in complex deformities and sports-related injuries. His commitment to education and innovation has influenced countless surgeons and patients around the world. He is a leader in the field, from founding FootInnovate.com, mentoring peers globally, and developing more than 30 orthopaedic implant patents that have advanced surgical care for lower extremity conditions.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Den Hartog has a heart for service, having served in missions throughout Haiti, Venezuela, Peru, and Brazil, leading with humility and vision across both for-profit and nonprofit boards. When asked what motivates him, Dr. Den Hartog shared, “My faith in Christ as my Savior is my motivation for service. In response to that gift of grace, I seek to bear fruit by serving others for their benefit and for the glory of our Lord Jesus.”

We are deeply grateful for Dr. Den Hartog’s leadership, innovation, and faith-driven commitment to bringing healing and hope to the Amazon. We can't wait to see the impact he will make!

Comment 💚 to help us welcome him to the family!

10/09/2025

During our recent campaign in Pucallpa, Katrina Trujillo shared a moment that transformed how she views her work and faith.

“On the first postoperative day at Hospital Amazónico, I met Katherine, a patient in excruciating pain. What began as helping her to the restroom became a sacred encounter. As she cried out in pain, I realized she needed more than medical help. I held her in my arms, and soon, our spiritual impact team joined. We stood together, tears falling silently, praying for peace. When the prayer ended, Katherine lifted her head, smiled faintly, and whispered, ‘Thank you.’

That moment became a reminder that healing goes far beyond surgery or therapy. It’s about bringing light, hope, and renewed life to every person we meet.”

Other reflections:
“I’ve found myself thinking about God more often, praying more, and trusting Him more deeply. I’ve seen what faith can do.”

For anyone considering joining a future campaign:
“Be ready to follow your heart. Pray when you feel led. Hug when you feel called. Dance when joy breaks through. This mission is about being fully present and letting compassion lead.”

Every act of care becomes a reflection of God’s love in motion.

10/07/2025

If you’ll be in Arizona for Orthopaedic Trauma Association, live nearby, or know others in your network that would be interested, we invite you to join us Saturday, October 18th, for a special evening celebrating 20 years of Scalpel At The Cross. Come hear stories of impact from our founder Peter A. Cole, MD, medical director Dr. Pierre Marie Woolley, and several members of our Scalpel Board and Executive Team.

Learn the ways in which you can help advance this mission of providing necessary orthopaedic care and spiritual restoration for Pucallpa!

⏰Time: 4:30–6:00 p.m. (hors d’oeuvres 4:00–4:30 p.m.)
📍Location: Seasons 52, 2502 E Camelback Rd, Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ 85016
📩RSVP: kim.gustafson@scalpelatthecross.org

10/04/2025

Thank you for your prayers. The fire subsided!

This week's fire in Pucallpa came dangerously close to our Miracle Campus. With only a single hose and no firetrucks, missionaries and friends worked together to manage the flames while the community fell to their knees in prayer. God graciously answered! No one was hurt, and the fire stopped just short of our facilities and the surrounding homes.

Please continue to pray for rain, protection, and safety over our campus, staff, and neighbors.

“The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.” — Deuteronomy 33:12

10/02/2025

Meet Luzmila Sessions (Luz🦋), one of our newest Board Members!

Born and raised in Peru, Luz was inspired by her father, Dr. Cahua—an orthopaedic surgeon, friend, and longtime partner of Scalpel—to pursue medicine. In 2014, she began volunteering with Scalpel At The Cross as a Spanish interpreter. That experience not only deepened her love for medicine, but also introduced her to the life-changing hope of Christ.

Since then, Luz has served as a physician in Pucallpa and has supported Scalpel in countless ways. She is a true game-changer—bringing her medical expertise, cultural insight, and relational gifts, to both the local community and our surgical teams. She and her family share a deep bond with Scalpel, and the organization is equally grateful for their impact.

Luz met her husband, Dr. Cody Sessions—also an orthopaedic surgeon—on a Scalpel mission trip 😁. Luzmila credits Scalpel as a cornerstone of her spiritual, professional, and personal journey.

Her story and unique capabilities align seamlessly with Scalpel’s mission and make her exceptionally qualified for leadership. We are honored to welcome her to our Board of Directors.

Join us in celebrating Luzmila 🇵🇪!

09/29/2025

Prayer Request & Update!

Last night, a brush fire broke out across from the Miracle Campus in Pucallpa. In just 30 minutes, what began as a small trash fire—fueled by strong winds—spread rapidly and reached just across from our front gate, threatening not only our campus but also our neighbors at the Faienap Iglesia Nativas Mission Base.

With no fire trucks or emergency responders available, missionaries and friends fought the flames with only a single hose, while others stood firm in prayer. God was our defense. The winds began to calm, and the fire subsided. We are deeply grateful, but the smoke from these fires continues to cause severe respiratory challenges for many residents.

We ask you to join us in confident prayer for:

• Much-needed rain
• Physical and spiritual covering over Pucallpa residents, the Miracle Campus, our team, and the missionaries
• Resilience as we face the ongoing fire damage and dangers of the Amazon Jungle

This is not the first time we’ve faced this, and it likely won’t be the last. Thank you, praying friends, for standing with us in intercession.

02/21/2025

Meet Aron: A Fighter On and Off the Field

Four years ago, Aron, an energetic and passionate fútbol player, suffered a severe left forearm fracture that didn’t heal properly. After a fall from his bike worsened his condition, his radius became severely deformed, and his ulna bowed, pressing painfully against his skin. Everyday tasks became a struggle, but Aron never let it hold him back. He kept playing, dreaming of the day he could fully grip, lift, and move without pain.

That day finally came during our November 2024 medical campaign. Dr. Vela and Dr. Hodges performed a reconstruction surgery, straightening his arm and stabilizing the bones with plates. The transformation was incredible! Now, pain-free and stronger than ever, Aron is ready to return to the fútbol, modeling his game after his idol, Peruvian legend Paolo Guerrero. During our January medical campaign, at his follow-up, his joy was undeniable—his mother hugged the team, overwhelmed with gratitude, and Aron proudly showed off his straightened arm, even receiving a special tank top to “show off his biceps.”

Aron’s story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of healing. Because of supporters like you, kids like Aron receive life-changing surgeries that restore not just mobility, but also dreams.

Thank you for giving the gift of healing—helping us change lives!

Address

Miami, FL
33255

Telephone

+13059224486

Website

http://www.scalpelatthecross.org/

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