The Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital’s Dr David Chong is one of a very special group of volunteers who regularly spends time on the Mercy Ships operating on and changing the lives of children and adults with various afflictions including severe facial disfigurement, who would not otherwise have access to much needed surgery.

On Thursday May 16th 2019, across the world in Guinea, Dr Chong performed the Mercy Ship’s 100,000th surgical procedure, a Cleft lip correction on 7 month old Aissata.

These hospital ships are staffed by volunteers who are deployed to the places where surgeons are needed most. These surgeons also train local medical professionals who will stay in their home countries to perform surgery and provide ongoing care.

Tony Holmes was recently interviewed by Jon Faine on ABC Radio about his life as a surgeon, Jigsaw Foundation and receiving his Order of Australia.

Listen below:

ABC Conversation Hour Vic - Tony Holmes (39918 KB)

After many selfless years of service to his profession, Tony has today been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medicine, particularly to reconstructive and craniofacial surgery, as a leader, clinician and educator, and to professional medical associations.

Tony founded the Jigsaw Foundation in 1990 and is currently a board member. 

This award is recognition of Tony's position as a pre-eminent surgeon globally in the area of craniofacial surgery. Tony's efforts to improve the lives of children is an inspiration to all of us at the Foundation.

Congratulations Tony.