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AST headquarters will be closed from 2:30 pm today and tomorrow, Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.  We will resume our regular business hours at 8 am MST Monday, July 7. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

  • Medical Missions

    Surgical technologists are committed to patient care -- not only at their own facilities, but also around the world. One of the most outstanding characteristics of practitioners is their abiding interest in working in underdeveloped countries with populations in need. Apply for AST's-sponsored medical mission trip this year or learn about other organizations to get involved with.

  • 2025 AST-sponsored mission trip

    The Association of Surgical Technologists is sponsoring a medical mission trip to Honduras with One World Surgery from October 18-25, 2025, to assist with gynecology, general surgery, and orthopedic procedures. The mission will take place at an ambulatory surgery center with three operating rooms, accommodating up to four CSTs daily. The AST Medical Missions & Outreach Committee will select six volunteers, who will rotate through the CST role during the mission. Volunteers must be currently working in the profession and have experience in the specialty they will be scrubbing. Application deadline has passed. Keep an eye out for future missions!


    Have questions? See our FAQs for the AST-sponsored mission trip.


    Suggest a Trip

    Previously worked with a mission organization or know of an organization that AST should support? Fill out the form to help us decide what organization we should support next year.

    Suggest A Mission

    I Have Already Served

    If you have recently served on a medical mission trip, you may be eligible for financial assistance reimbursement from the Foundation for Surgical Technology as well as be eligible to receive 10 hours of continuing education credit for your participation in a medical mission.

    Please visit the Foundation for Surgical Technology's website for the Mission Medical Assistance and the Medical Mission Verification Form.

    Do Good & Give Back

    Here are other mission trip organizations that may be in need of healthcare professionals to help serve on their missions:

    • A Love for Missions - aloveformissionsabroad.com - ALMA recognizes the need within the Guatemala communities to provide the best possible medical care to people with limited resources.   

    • CURE International - www.cure.org - CURE International operates a global network of eight children’s hospitals that provide life-changing surgical care and international spiritual care for children living with disabilities.
    • Faith in Practice - https://www.faithinpractice.org/ - Faith In Practice is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization that seeks to improve the physical, spiritual, and economic conditions of the poor in Guatemala through integrated surgical, medical, and dental mission trips and health-related educational programs.
    • Healing the Children - www.healingthechildren.org - HTC partners with healthcare providers to help underserved children around the world secure urgently needed medical care otherwise unobtainable.
    • Hearts In Motion - www.heartsinmotion.org - HIM’s mission is to empower volunteers to positively impact the lives of people in need.
    • Kenya Relief - www.kenyarelief.org - Medical/surgical teams bring a variety of specialties such as – eye specialist, ENT, OB/GYN, general surgery, and pediatric surgery. In 2022, they will introduce breast exam screening and surgical teams.
    • Medical Missions - www.medicalmissions.org - Connects healthcare volunteers with the mission-centered organizations that need them, increasing the access to quality healthcare around the world.
    • Mercy Ships - www.mercyships.org - Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilizing people and resources worldwide, and serving all people without regard for race, gender, or religion.
    • One World Surgery - www.oneworldsurgery.org - One World Surgery is a nonprofit confronting this global health crisis by partnering with communities, healthcare providers, and leaders in healthcare to deliver surgical services.
    • Operation Giving Back - www.facs.org/ogb - Their mission is to leverage the passion, skills, and humanitarian ethos of the surgical community to effectively meet the needs of the medically underserved. The volunteerism initiative of the American College of Surgeons serves as a comprehensive resource center where you can find information to investigate and participate in surgical volunteer opportunities.
    • ReSurge International - www.resurge.org - ReSurge is committed to making reconstructive surgery available to all.


      Have questions for the AST Medical Mission Committee? Contact us!