United in Mission: The Hodges Strengthen Healthcare across CURE’s Network
Stories | 1 Jul 2024
By the time Drs. Sarah and Andrew Hodges met as junior doctors in England, they were both already committed to using their God-given skills to serve the world’s poor and needy.
“When I became a Christian, God opened my eyes to a huge world of need. I knew I wanted to use my gifts, talents, and training to help people I knew had no means of getting help,” Dr. Andrew says. “When I met Sarah, I was grateful she shared a similar commitment.”
Shortly after marrying, this shared commitment took them to Uganda, where they spent nearly seven years serving in a missions hospital—Andrew as a General Surgeon and Sarah as an Anesthetist. God used this time to open Andrew’s eyes to the urgent demand for more specialized surgeons to meet the growing needs in sub-Saharan Africa.
The doctors took a six-year hiatus from Uganda to receive advanced training. Andrew trained at the Royal College of Surgeons of England in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and Sarah at the Royal College of Anesthetists in anesthesiology.
They returned to Uganda in 2005, where Dr. Andrew established a plastic surgery unit and postgraduate training program at CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital in Kampala. There, Dr. Sarah helped develop anesthesia training and standardize anesthesia care, eventually becoming Medical Director.
Training the Next Generation of Medical Workers
In 2020, just before the strict COVID-19 lockdown, the Hodges joined the staff at Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital of the Philippines. Over the next three years, Dr. Sarah trained and strengthened the anesthesia team, and Dr. Andrew established and grew the hospital’s plastic and reconstructive surgery team, which today consists of four surgeons who perform more than 1,200 reconstructive plastic surgical procedures annually.
In 2023, the Hodges began practicing at CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe, where they serve in leadership roles for CURE’s hospital network—Sarah as Lead Anesthesiologist and Andrew as Lead Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Sarah also serves in medical leadership for CURE Zimbabwe, helping to standardize surgical care and overseeing training for more than 300 clinical workers.
Changing Lives at CURE Zimbabwe
At CURE Zimbabwe, Dr. Andrew is establishing, training, and growing the hospital’s plastic and reconstructive surgery team—with the goal of serving more children suffering with conditions like burn contractures and cleft lip/palate each year.
While the Hodges could work anywhere in the world, they feel called by God to serve in areas of need. They view their work at CURE as more than a job. It’s a mission they share—and one that brings them joy.
“What makes CURE special for me is that it’s a place where we remember that the patient is not just a body to be operated on, but a person to be loved and cared for,” Dr. Sarah shares.
“Seeing children transformed is so rewarding,” Dr. Andrew adds. “The generous partners and supporters of CURE make it possible.”
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