Chris Robinson is wheeled into the surgical suite at AdventHealth Carrollwood for his second hip replacement through Operation Walk USA on February 8, 2025.
— TAMPA, Fla. (Saturday, February 8, 2025) — As part of a nationwide effort to help patients with debilitating joint conditions regain mobility and improve their quality of life, AdventHealth Carrollwood, Florida Orthopaedic Institute and Pioneer Medical Foundation have come together for the fourth year to provide 17 Tampa Bay area patients with free hip and knee replacement surgeries. These individuals may not qualify for government health coverage, have insurance or be able to afford the procedure on their own.
Surgeries across the Tampa Bay region are taking place at two hospitals this year:
- AdventHealth Carrollwood: Seven procedures were performed on Saturday, February 8, 2025, by Brian Palumbo, M.D., and Michael A. Miranda, D.O., M.S.
- AdventHealth Tampa: Ten procedures will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, with Brian Palumbo, M.D., and Spencer Smith, D.O., leading the surgeries.
More than 200 AdventHealth team members have volunteered their time to make these surgeries possible across both locations.
The hospitals are collaborating with Operation Walk USA, a national humanitarian organization in its 14th year that partners with leading hospitals across the country. This annual initiative allows orthopedic surgeons to give back to their communities, offering life-changing surgeries to patients who would otherwise go without care.
“As an orthopedic surgeon, it’s a privilege to work alongside dedicated medical professionals and organizations like Operation Walk USA to restore mobility and quality of life for those in need,” said Brian T. Palumbo, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with AdventHealth Carrollwood and Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “Now that we are in our fourth year of Operation Walk USA here in the Tampa Bay area, we feel we are part of building a lasting legacy of whole-person care. We get to see patients take their first steps after surgery, pain-free and with renewed hope, which underscores the profound impact of this program.”
Chris Robinson, a former baseball umpire from the Tampa Bay area, had his second hip replacement surgery through Operation Walk USA with Dr. Palumbo on Saturday, February 8 at AdventHealth Carrollwood.
“I want to play golf with my son,” Robinson said. “I want to be able to drive without having to constantly move around, back and forth and just sleep through this night.”
He said his first hip surgery was very successful and has no doubt this second surgery will set him up for a full and happy future.
“If this one is even close to this one, I’ll be happy the rest of my life.” he said, gesturing to each hip.
“At Pioneer Medical Foundation, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers to health care access,” said Ano Kashumba, APRN-C, CLSSGB, CCRN, executive director of Pioneer Medical Foundation. “Through initiatives like Operation Walk USA, we provide not just medical interventions, but also the opportunity for patients to reclaim their independence and live without the burden of chronic joint pain.”
Operation Walk USA provides free total hip or knee replacements to uninsured adult patients who meet eligibility requirements, including U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and income within 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Each year, Operation Walk USA helps between 40 and 60 patients nationwide, with more than 900 patients served to date—a total of $24.6 million in free joint replacements since the program’s inception.
“We are so glad to offer the services of Operation Walk USA again this year. Our orthopedic community is so eager to help restore patient mobility and the quality of life they once enjoyed,” said New Albany, Ohio orthopedic surgeon Adolph V. Lombardi, Jr., MD, president and co-founder of Operation Walk USA. “We are inspired by the remarkable success stories of our patients and recognize the tremendous efforts of all those who volunteer to make this program so impactful.”
For more information, visit www.operationwalkusa.org