Operation Human Spirit
About Us
Our Team
Through mission trips since 2010, Loyola’s Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has been committed to helping patients in the Dominican Republic. We rely on attending and resident surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and medical students to devote their valuable time in service to others. Leading them are a group of doctors who deeply care about serving these under-resourced communities.
Andrea Ziegler, MD
Dr. Ziegler is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery with a special interest in head and neck cancer and reconstruction. She is involved in resident and medical student education, serves on multiple local and national committees to improve patient outcomes, is involved in many clinical research projects and is a journal reviewer. Dr. Ziegler is passionate about global health and improving underserved communities of the Dominican Republic. She has previously volunteered on mission trips to Mexico, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.
Steven Charous, MD, FACS
Dr. Charous is a Professor of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery and is the Director of the Voice and Swallowing Center at Loyola University Medical Center. He has published numerous articles in his field, lectured for national and international colleagues, teaches residents and medical students, and continues to be involved in clinical research. He has volunteered in multiple medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Guatemala, and volunteers for and serves on the ambassador board for Project C.U.R.E.
Eric Thorpe, MD, MBA, FACS
Dr. Thorpe is the Chairman and Program Director of the Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery at Loyola University Medical Center. He has a strong background and interest in medical teaching as well as running the head and neck cancer program. His research focuses on these topics and he has a special interest in helping provide care for those who have less resources.
Stephanie Crane, MD
Dr. Stephanie Crane, our partner, is the Director of Global Health, Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. It’s Dr. Crane’s vision and commitment to work with underserved communities to empower them to improve their lives that is the heart, soul, and founding of Community Empowerment. Now there are over fifteen trips a year providing critical primary and surgical care, infrastructure improvements, and community leadership training.
Our Vision
Anything Is Possible
Commitment, transparency, quality of life. These three values have stood at the center of the Operation Human Spirit mission since our founding. We wholeheartedly commit to the work we do with passion and dedication, transparently sharing our goals and outcomes with all those involved. This mission drives the continued success of Operation Human Spirit.