Dr. Shaw Brings Advanced Orthopedic Care to Belize Through Medical Mission Trips
February 19, 2025
Dr. Kevin Shaw, an orthopedic surgeon with Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, has recently completed his fifth medical mission trip to Belize, where he continues to expand orthopedic access through his work with Partners for Medical Relief (PFMR). Dr. Shaw has served on PFMR’s board for four years, helping guide the nonprofit’s mission to fill medical gaps and build healthcare capacity.
Since 2020, Dr. Shaw has traveled to the Corozal region, where he initially provided primary care in local villages, with a significant portion of his work involving steroid injections for arthritic joint pain. Now, Dr. Shaw’s role has evolved significantly as he has developed a comprehensive orthopedic program focusing on surgical procedures to address the region’s need for total joint replacements.
This year, Dr. Shaw took a significant step forward in expanding the program by delivering a donation of Stryker power equipment— a drill and saw for orthopedic surgeries— through Project CURE, a nonprofit that supplies medical equipment to global charities. Dr. Shaw personally completed the application and coordinated the delivery of this essential equipment to Belize.
During his latest trip, Dr. Shaw worked alongside a local orthopedic surgeon and provided hands-on surgical training to advance the region’s need for orthopedic procedures. His long-term goal is to help this local physician build a sustainable orthopedic practice capable of performing total joint replacements independently. He remains committed to providing additional resources and training to ensure the region has access to these life-changing surgeries.
“The beauty of this program is that it’s not just about what I can do in the short term; it’s about creating lasting, sustainable impact,” Dr. Shaw explained. “By training local doctors and giving them the resources they need, we’re building their capability to serve their communities for years to come.”
“The next step is to bring knee implants and continue training the local surgeon so he can confidently perform these procedures on his own,” Dr. Shaw added. “I’m excited to be part of building something that will continue to help the people of Belize for years to come.”
Brief summary: Dr. Shaw, an orthopedic surgeon and dedicated volunteer, is furthering his mission work in Belize’s Corazal region, where he has made a significant impact over the last five years. As a board member of Partners For Medical Relief (PFMR) for the past four years, Dr. Shaw has been instrumental in developing the organization’s orthopedic program, which serves patients in underserved communities.