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ACS H.O.P.E. Supports Historic Milestone in the Dominican Republic

In June 2026, with support from the ACS Health Outreach Program for Equity in Global Surgery (ACS H.O.P.E.^®), the Dominican Republic successfully hosted its first Trauma Evaluation and Management (TEAM)™ course alongside a series of Stop the Bleed training sessions. Led by ACS H.O.P.E. Ambassador Luis R. Taveras, MD, FACS, these courses illustrate the broad impact of ACS H.O.P.E., which equips surgeon leaders with the support and resources to expand education, strengthen local surgical systems, and build sustainable capacity in their home countries.

Held at Universidad Iberoamericana in Santo Domingo, the courses made the Dominican Republic only the fifth country outside the US to host a TEAM course, advancing trauma education in a region where traffic-related injuries remain a significant public health concern.

As an ACS H.O.P.E. Ambassador, Dr. Taveras leveraged the program's support and his longstanding commitment to trauma system development to bring TEAM and Stop the Bleed training to the Dominican Republic. An acute care surgeon, educator, and advocate for trauma system development, he has helped build academic partnerships between the US and the Dominican Republic while advancing surgical education and quality improvement.

More than 160 participants, including medical students, physicians, and community members, completed the training. The TEAM course identified a strong cohort of prospective instructors, while the Stop the Bleed training sessions prepared dozens of future educators to deliver lifesaving bleeding control education throughout their communities.

To support long-term sustainability, the courses also helped local instructors establish the framework needed to independently organize and deliver future TEAM and Stop the Bleed training. By providing educational resources and developing local instructor capacity, this work lays the foundation for a self-sustaining trauma education program that strengthens emergency response capabilities and expands access to lifesaving care across the Dominican Republic.

This milestone reflects the mission of ACS H.O.P.E.—supporting surgeon leaders who are improving access to high-quality surgical care, building local capacity, and creating lasting impact in communities around the world.

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Every day, surgeons and healthcare professionals are expanding access to safe, quality surgical care through education, mentorship, and training made possible by supporters like you.

In the past year, ACS H.O.P.E. completed 32 volunteer trips across its three surgical collaboratives and engaged more than 70 volunteers to strengthen surgical education, skills development, and professional collaboration. These efforts help build sustainable local capacity and improve patient care for years to come.

Every partnership formed and every skill strengthened is possible because of generous donors who believe everyone deserves access to quality surgical care.

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Thank you for partnering with ACS H.O.P.E. to empower healthcare professionals and expand access to life-saving surgical care.