Dr. Vito Quatela, renowned in the field of plastic surgery for his transformative work, recently returned from a mission trip to South America, where he played a pivotal role in bringing smiles to children with congenital defects. This trip is just one of many missions Dr. Quatela has embarked on to countries with large underprivileged populations, where his efforts have made a significant difference.
At his East Avenue office in Rochester, Dr. Quatela’s days are filled with operations and consultations, each of which has the potential to change lives. He describes the impact of his work as profound, with many patients expressing gratitude for the positive changes he has brought to their lives.
His recent journey to Peru was no exception. Alongside a team of dedicated doctors, Dr. Quatela performed reconstructive plastic surgeries on 20 children born with congenital deformities of the ears. The procedure involves taking rib cartilage from the patient, shaping it into the form of an ear, and placing it into a pocket on the existing ear.
These surgeries were made possible through the nonprofit organization HUGS Foundation, which stands for Help Us Give Smiles. Dr. Quatela emphasized the importance of such missions, particularly in countries where children with deformities are often marginalized or subjected to bullying.
Having treated over 2,300 children with conditions like cleft lip, cleft palate, microtia, and other congenital deformities over the past two decades, the HUGS Foundation has provided life-changing interventions to those who would otherwise lack access to such care.
Dr. Quatela’s dedication to humanitarian efforts underscores the transformative impact of giving back, particularly in providing essential medical care to those most in need.