Mission: Possible
HOW ONE MOM MAKES A DIFFERENCE
For Deana Carter and her son, Tanner, summer vacation is anything but conventional. While most of us are carefully planning our itinerary to get the most out of the season, Deana Carter, a registered nurse and an orthopedic program coordinator at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital – Flower Mound, embarks on her annual mission to Honduras.
There, she joins other healthcare professionals who are part of One World Surgery, a remarkable organization that exemplifies the spirit of compassion and care across international borders.
One World Surgery is dedicated to providing primary and surgical medical care to underresourced areas around the globe. Founded on the belief that every person deserves access to essential medical services, this faith-based organization conducts life-changing surgeries in countries, such as the Dominican Republic and Honduras, helping to bridge the gaps in healthcare access that millions around the world face.
Since 2009, One World Surgery has performed over 12,500 surgeries and 118,000 consultations. Their team comprises dedicated volunteers who collectively bring diverse talents and perspectives, ensuring quality care for patients in need.
Before first joining the team in 2023, Deana was always driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to serve others. As a Texas A&M alum, she originally earned a BS degree in community health education. Prior to becoming a nurse, however, she worked in law enforcement for eight years, serving as a police officer and crime scene investigator. Although she found fulfillment in law enforcement, Deana wanted to have a family and felt like she needed to find another way to serve others. She then studied to become a nurse, eventually earning her second degree.
Never one to shy away from dramatic career choices, Deana worked in a Dallas trauma unit in her first nursing role. Eventually, she merged both of her degrees into her current role as an orthopedic program administrator at Texas Health in Flower Mound.
This transformative journey also paved the way for her participation with One World Surgery, where she discovered the ideal opportunity to serve those truly in need. Her career as a registered nurse equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex orthopedic needs, but her true calling extends far beyond the walls of her hospital.
Motivated by a desire to make a difference, she devotes her summers to bolstering the healthcare system in one of the most underserved regions of Central America.
“I have always been a caregiver,” Deana proudly admits. “I have always wanted to care for people.”
Honduras, despite its lush landscapes and rich culture, faces significant healthcare challenges. Many communities lack access to proper medical facilities, and surgical procedures remain a luxury that few can afford. Often Deana encounters patients who share heart-wrenching stories of hardship and resilience. From children with deformities to adults suffering from debilitating injuries, each interaction reaffirms her calling.
“Most people in America have the opportunity if they look for it. In Honduras, these patients have nothing. People wait years just to be able to walk. They don’t have the medical safety net we do,” she confesses.
The bond that Deana forms with her patients is profound. The team generally focuses on adults that need hip and knee replacements, but this year was different in that they took care of other injuries. One memorable child was as 8-year-old Ian, who, with his mother and brother Joshua, were involved in a terrible car accident that left Ian unable to walk. After months of waiting for surgical care, Ian was finally able to undergo a life-changing procedure thanks to One World Center.
Deana grew close to Ian, who was understandably scared prior to his surgery, and she kept reassuring him, “We got you. God’s hands are over you.” Witnessing Ian take his first steps post-surgery, a broad smile lighting up his face, solidified her belief in the importance of their work.
Deana continues to advocate for patient care, here and abroad. She even integrated her son, Tanner, into her mission work.
Each summer, Tanner, now 12, stays at Moscati Center in Honduras along with the rest of the volunteers. He helps prepare food and meals for the staff, mops floors, and even works on a local farm where they grow the food they prepare. Most of all, he is learning a sense of gratitude and a desire to help others – lessons taught by his mother’s example.
Deana’s unwavering commitment to One World Surgery not only changes lives across borders but also inspires others to act in the name of compassion.
In the busy corridors of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, her story serves as a reminder that the true essence of medicine is not just in healing bodies but in touching lives, one patient at a time.
