Partner and Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Andrea Pusic, MD, FACS

Dr. Andrea Pusic is the Joseph E. Murray Professor of Surgery at Harvard University and chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Mass General Brigham in Boston, Massachusetts. Originally from Canada, she completed her plastic surgery training at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and a microsurgery fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York. An internationally recognized leader in surgical outcomes and quality-of-life research, she has authored more than 500 publications and secured more than $20 million in research funding.

Dr. Pusic is co-founder and co-director of the SHARE (Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstructive Research and Education) program, which strengthens plastic surgery capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa through education, mentorship, and research. Since 2019, SHARE has trained more than 100 junior plastic surgeons in advanced reconstructive techniques, supported over 20 visiting professor programs in partnership with the ACS Health Outreach Program for Equity in Global Surgery (ACS H.O.P.E.^®) and the University of Rwanda, and helped fellows publish more than 60 peer-reviewed papers. Nearly two-thirds of SHARE graduates now serve as active faculty within the program.

Dr. Pusic is a past president of the Plastic Surgery Foundation, treasurer of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, and an ACS Governor. She is also a member of the ACS Committee on Global Engagement and serves as Vice Chair of the International Subcommittee.

Partner Spotlight: Proximie

ACS H.O.P.E. is proud to welcome Proximie as a new partner in its mission to strengthen surgical care and education in Zambia.

Through this partnership, Proximie will help equip ORs in Lusaka with its secure, cloud-based operating room platform, creating new opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and surgical education. The technology will enable ACS H.O.P.E. volunteer surgeons to connect remotely to live operations, providing real-time guidance, consultation, and support during complex cases without the need to be physically present.

The partnership also expands learning opportunities for surgeons and trainees across Zambia. Through Proximie’s platform, healthcare professionals throughout the country will be able to virtually observe operations taking place in Lusaka, gaining exposure to advanced surgical techniques and complex cases without the time and expense of travel. By reducing geographic barriers, Proximie is helping build a more connected surgical community while increasing access to high-quality surgical education.

Proximie has developed the world’s first cloud operating system designed specifically for ORs, connecting people, devices, and data in real time to create smarter, more collaborative surgical environments. Built to perform even in low-bandwidth settings, the platform supports sustainable implementation through secure telepresence, local capacity building, and long-term partnerships.

Together, ACS H.O.P.E. and Proximie are expanding access to surgical expertise, strengthening local training, and building sustainable systems that will improve patient care for years to come.