Mercy Ships plastic surgeon to feature on ‘Global Scalpels’ podcast

Wednesday 12 August 2020: Highly respected Melbourne plastic surgeon and long-time Mercy Ships volunteer David Chong will this Friday feature on the global surgery podcast ‘Global Scalpels’.

Founded in 2020 by Taylor Ottesen and Riana Patel during the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘Global Scalpels’ aims to bring together interesting speakers to show the work behind the scenes and to highlight the people creating some of the most innovative projects in sectors such as tech, legal, advocacy, and research.

Mercy Ships and ‘Global Scalpels’ share a dedication to highlighting and serving the needs of the 5 billion people around the world who lack access to safe and affordable surgery and it is this need that is the focus of this week’s podcast.

The episode also touches on the topics of universal citizenship, giving back, and facial “differences” and the stigma surrounding them.

Dr Chong is widely renowned and sought-after for the repair of facial deformities in children, but also equally enjoys improving the lives of his adult patients through reconstructive procedures, concentrating primarily on the face.

It is this passion that has inspired Dr Chong’s dedication to transforming the lives of the world’s forgotten poor and led to his international work with global aid organisations like Mercy Ships.

Since first serving with the hospital ship charity as a Maxillofacial Surgeon in 2015, Dr Chong has returned twice a year to offer his skills in the African nations of Madagascar, Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, and Senegal.

Dr Chong has authored several articles and chapters on facial surgery, and has become a prominent expert in this field. He is also the current president of the Australasian Cleft Lip and Palate Association.

‘Global Scalpels’ episodes are published weekly to explore the many aspects of the field of global surgery and to inspire others through the work of some of the incredible heroes fighting daily for this important cause.

‘Global Scalpels: David Chong’ premieres this Friday, 14 August on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development aid to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1.3 billion, with more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries. Each year, more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations serve with Mercy Ships. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and strengthen health care systems throughout Africa. For more information, visit www.mercyships.org.au

About Global Scalpels

Founded in 2020 by Taylor Ottesen and Riana Patel during the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Scalpels aim to bring together a number of interesting speakers to show the work behind the scenes and to highlight the people creating some of the most innovative projects in sectors such as tech, legal, advocacy, and research. The podcast is targeted towards anyone interested in the field of global surgery – surgeons, technology wizards, business people, and researchers alike. Global Scalpels hopes to highlight that global surgery is a team effort and that engagement with all professionals, such as designers, entrepreneurs, advocacy gurus, and clinicians, is essential to provide the 143 million additional surgical procedures required annually. For more information, visit www.globalscalpels.com

Notes to Editors

High resolution photos of the hospital ship, volunteers, and patients are available upon request, with attribution to Mercy Ships.

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Mason
National Office Manager
Mercy Ships Australia
07 5437 2992
melissa.mason@mercyships.org