Dr. Larry Nichter and Mission Plasticos have transformed lives worldwide, completing more than 110 volunteer surgical missions—including life-changing care in Cuba.
A Legacy of Service
For decades, Dr. Larry Nichter has combined surgical excellence with a deep commitment to humanitarian work. As co-founder and president of Mission Plasticos, he has led more than 110 volunteer surgical missions across the globe, providing life-changing reconstructive procedures to underserved patients.
One of the most impactful destinations for Mission Plasticos has been Cienfuegos, Cuba.
The Cuba Missions
The organization first traveled to Cuba more than a decade ago, when Dr. Nichter and his team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and pediatric specialists performed reconstructive surgeries for children suffering from severe burns, congenital deformities, and other conditions that limited their quality of life.
In 2016, after years of political restrictions, the team returned to the Hospital Pediátrico Universitario in Cienfuegos. That mission included:
- Plastic surgeons, general surgeons, and an orthodontist (a first for the team in Cuba)
- Anesthesiologists, nurses, and pediatricians are supporting patient care
- Scores of surgeries, including complex burn repair, flap procedures, and breast reconstruction for cancer survivors
Beyond performing surgeries, Mission Plasticos shared technical knowledge and advanced reconstructive techniques with local medical teams, ensuring that Cuban surgeons could continue providing these procedures long after the mission ended.
