Southeast Asia Journey, Part 8: My Journey Home

As my time in Indore came to an end, I reflected on an extraordinary stretch of days—teaching consecutive cadaver labs on robotic partial knee replacements and anterior approach total hips with VELYS hip navigation, sharing meaningful conversations with surgeons, and absorbing as much as I could about orthopedic practice across India. These experiences capped off a rewarding sequence of engagements that included the Indian Orthopedic Association Meeting and earlier visits to Singapore and Indonesia. Each day offered new opportunities to learn, teach, and grow.

Across India, Singapore, and Indonesia, I had the privilege of engaging in deep discussions about surgical technique, muscle-sparing approaches, technology adoption, decreased length of stay, and how to improve efficiencies in our care facilities. Whether in conference rooms, operating theaters, or dinner gatherings, the consistency of surgeons' passion was unmistakable. Their desire to improve patient care and their excitement toward innovation created an atmosphere of collaboration and shared purpose that was truly inspiring.

This trip also changed my perspective. I experienced incredible kindness and hospitality everywhere we traveled, but also witnessed profound poverty and tremendous need. It was a powerful reminder of how variable access to care can be from country to country. Yet, despite these differences, one theme stood out: whether in the United States or on the other side of the world, surgeons devote their lives to helping people. Even without speaking the same language or sharing the same cultural background, the heart of what we do remains the same.

As I traveled home, I felt deep gratitude for the systems, efficiencies, and resources we have worked hard to build in the U.S. This journey helped me appreciate many aspects of our healthcare structure that we sometimes take for granted. It also broadened my understanding of what healthcare looks like globally and reinforced how much we can learn from one another as medicine continues to evolve.

I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue growing these relationships with international colleagues. There is so much value in sharing ideas, techniques, and experiences across borders. I look forward to returning not only to Singapore, Indonesia, and India, but to exploring new regions of the world as well. This journey has left a lasting impression, and I am thankful for the people, the lessons, and the experiences that shaped it.