In a remarkable show of compassion and expertise, a team of international medical professionals led by Trinbago born Dr. Reynold Agard is currently making a powerful impact through a humanitarian medical mission in Trinidad and Tobago. Running from July 21st to 24th, 2025, this mission is more than just medicine—it’s a testament to service, selflessness, and global solidarity.
A Mission of Purpose
We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Agard on July 23rd, with just one day remaining in the initiative. As the president of Hands International, Dr. Agard has coordinated this multinational effort that brings together healthcare professionals from the United States, Canada, England, Africa, and beyond.
Despite a few early logistical challenges—including delayed equipment necessary for surgical procedures—the team quickly hit their stride. “Our surgeons were operating until 2 a.m. and came back by 6 a.m. the next day,” Dr. Agard explained. “We are giving our very best, using the gifts God has blessed us with to bless others.”
Real Lives, Real Change
The team’s impact has been deeply felt. One unforgettable story involved a young man who suffered from a massive hernia. For years, he was only able to urinate in a specific position due to a blockage. After surgery, he broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the relief and freedom he hadn’t felt in years.
Another patient, a woman with a lipoma over her eye, had avoided public spaces due to constant questions and stares. Thanks to skilled surgeons, her growth was removed with minimal scarring, and her confidence was instantly restored.
Services Offered
Over the course of the mission, the team has:
- Performed complex surgeries lasting several hours
- Completed numerous routine hernia repairs
- Removed lipomas and cysts in outdoor triage-style tents
These procedures are conducted by certified surgeons from states across the U.S.—including Delaware, Florida, Washington D.C., Texas, and Tennessee—with decades of collective experience.
What’s Next?
The mission doesn’t end on July 24th.
Dr. Agard confirmed ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Navy’s hospital ship, USNS Comfort, one of the world’s premier floating hospitals. The ship is scheduled to dock in Trinidad from August 5th to 10th, continuing the work started this week with a robust field hospital component.
Additionally, an ophthalmology team from India will also arrive in August, aiming to perform over 400 cataract surgeries, providing life-changing care for hundreds more.
Humanitarianism in Action
This medical mission is a powerful embodiment of what Dr. Agard calls “service suits”—the idea that every act of care is an act of kindness dressed in skill and purpose.
Dr. Agard and Hands International have also officially launched Hands Caribbean, with its new headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago, to ensure the work continues year-round and not just during these missions.
Prior to the medical mission’s launch, Dr. Reynold Agard sat down with Dr. Andre Phillips, founder of the Trinbago Diaspora Outreach Network (TDON), for a special episode of TDON Vignettes.
Final Thoughts
As the mission draws to a close today, July 24th, the legacy it leaves behind is already visible in the lives transformed, the tears of gratitude, and the communities uplifted.
This is not just healthcare—it is healing in the deepest sense.
Stay tuned as preparations begin for the August mission. Trinidad and Tobago is not only receiving world-class care—it’s becoming a beacon of global compassion in action.
If you’re curious, check out the Hands International website by clicking here.