Children's Surgery International

Children's Surgery International Children’s Surgery International is a MN-based, nonprofit organization that provides specialized
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Keep your coffee freshly stocked while supporting life-changing pediatric surgical care worldwide. CSI has partnered wit...
06/08/2026

Keep your coffee freshly stocked while supporting life-changing pediatric surgical care worldwide. CSI has partnered with Stone Creek Coffee for a fundraiser that ships direct to your door.

20% of proceeds from almost everything you purchase — including our private-label coffee, all other coffee varieties, tea, and more — will benefit CSI.

To shop, go to bit.ly/CSICoffee2026
IMPORTANT: You must enter code CSI2026 within the discount code field at checkout to ensure your purchase is counted. This coffee fundraiser runs through December 31, 2026, so there’s plenty of time to order again and again.

Today was a big day for Marie! She received surgery to repair her bilateral cleft lip — a transformative first step that...
05/21/2026

Today was a big day for Marie! She received surgery to repair her bilateral cleft lip — a transformative first step that will help improve eating, speech development, and overall quality of life as she grows.

These life-altering surgeries are made possible through the expertise and close collaboration of our volunteers and in-country colleagues, all working together to help children thrive.

Tomorrow marks the team’s final day in Bahir Dar, with a few more cases still ahead before they begin the journey home.


of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.

When he was 7 years old, Mikiyas (on the left in the first photo) suffered a traumatic dog bite injury to his throat tha...
05/20/2026

When he was 7 years old, Mikiyas (on the left in the first photo) suffered a traumatic dog bite injury to his throat that left him with severe scar tissue, narrowing his airway to nearly the size of a pinhole.

The team first met Mikiyas at a CSI screening day in February 2025, when he was 18 years old. He had spent a decade struggling for every breath — physical activity, including walking to school, was nearly impossible, and viruses or colds could quickly become life-threatening. At that time, the surgical team was able to intervene and open his airway, allowing him to finally breathe freely.

Fast-forward 16 months: Mikiyas is now more than 6 inches taller, attending college, and walking between classes with ease.

Today, he returned for follow-up care as some scar tissue had reformed — a common occurrence with complex airway reconstruction. But this surgery also represented something bigger.

“Today was a perfect example [of CSI’s focus on education and training],” CSI volunteer nurse Theresa Philbin shared. “The pictures show Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw learning how to do airway surgery, anesthesia learning how to assist in said surgery, and an entire OR staff (including me) seeing something for the first time.”

05/20/2026

Pediatrician Dr. Paul Melchert demonstrating a key part of global healthcare delivery: adaptability.

When supplies aren’t readily available, creative problem-solving has to go hand-in-hand with clinical expertise.

In this video, Paul flexes his pivoting skills to make things work with the resources available — all in service of providing the best possible care for his pediatric patient.

Day 2 in Bahir Dar: 8 life-changing surgeries completed and another great day in the OR.Today’s focus was on head and ne...
05/19/2026

Day 2 in Bahir Dar: 8 life-changing surgeries completed and another great day in the OR.

Today’s focus was on head and neck masses, with ENT fellow Dr. Kassaw operating alongside CSI surgeon Dr. Chris Discolo while medical residents trained with CSI volunteer Dr. Raj Petersson at the second table.

Theresa Philbin, RN, shares, “watching the local team work seamlessly with our OR staff is amazing.”

Baby Marie (pictured in photo #2) will receive surgery on Thursday. When the team first met her at just 3 days old, CSI provided her family with specialty bottles and formula to help ensure she could feed and grow strong enough for surgery.

More still to come this week in Bahir Dar.

The first OR day at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital was a success, with five children receiving specialized ENT surger...
05/18/2026

The first OR day at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital was a success, with five children receiving specialized ENT surgeries and additional patients screened for care in the days ahead.

All surgeries today were all performed by ENT fellow Dr. Kassaw Ketemaw — underscoring the growing local surgical capacity made possible through our partnership with College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.

Did the team have power the whole day? No. But the work continued anyway. These are hurdles the staff in Ethiopia navigate regularly with resilience, skill, and unwavering dedication to their patients.

A busy screening day in Bahir Dar as CSI volunteers and our in-country colleagues screened 40 pediatric patients and sch...
05/17/2026

A busy screening day in Bahir Dar as CSI volunteers and our in-country colleagues screened 40 pediatric patients and scheduled 26 children for surgery this week as part of this fellowship surgical training campaign.

Among the patients seen today were several malnourished babies, including two children first evaluated last October who have benefitted from ongoing feeding support and interventions. For children who are not yet healthy enough for surgery, the team works with local partners to provide feeding support, ongoing follow-up, and a pathway to future care.

Tomorrow will be the first day of surgeries. Great work, team!


College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
Taitu Tour and Travel Ethiopia

Pediatrician Dr. Paul Melchert and Theresa Philbin, RN, are on their way to Ethiopia, meeting up with four other CSI vol...
05/14/2026

Pediatrician Dr. Paul Melchert and Theresa Philbin, RN, are on their way to Ethiopia, meeting up with four other CSI volunteers along the way.

This great crew is heading into a week focused on changing lives, sharing skills, and empowering communities.

Patient screening is on Sunday, and then the work begins — life-changing surgeries, fellowship training, and collaboration that helps strengthen pediatric surgical care for the future.

We’ll share updates throughout the week — stay tuned!


College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
Taitu Tour and Travel Ethiopia

In some of life’s most vulnerable moments, nurses bring comfort, calm, and care when it’s needed most.This National Nurs...
05/07/2026

In some of life’s most vulnerable moments, nurses bring comfort, calm, and care when it’s needed most.

This National Nurses Week, we celebrate the incredible pediatric nurses who volunteer with us around the world — and all nurses whose skill, heart, and humanity change lives. We are so grateful for each and every one of you.

Address

99 5th Avenue NW, Suite 100
New Brighton, MN
55112

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

(612) 746-4082

Website

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