For more than three decades, Dr. Michael Colvard dedicated himself to restoring sight and hope to underserved communities around the world. His humanitarian work took him to remote villages and small clinics, where his skill and compassion transformed lives. Over 30 years, he built not just a record of surgeries, but a legacy of service that inspired countless colleagues and friends.
Among those inspired was Dr. Rom Kandavel, who has carried forward this tradition for over 20 years. For 15 of those years, Dr. Kandavel traveled to Nuevo Progreso, Guatemala, performing sight-saving surgeries for those with no access to modern eye care. In more recent years, he has continued this mission in Sinaloa, Mexico, flying by light plane generously donated each year by the Flying Doctors of Mercy to the El Fuerte clinic — a program Dr. Colvard helped establish and personally nurtured.
This year’s planned mission held special meaning. Hoping to join Dr. Kandavel for the first time was Ray Delatorre, our trusted surgical scrub for the planned four-day trip. Ray is not only a skilled technician, but for many years served as Dr. Colvard’s scribe, working side-by-side with him. He witnessed his compassion and surgical excellence firsthand.
Months of planning went into the trip — gathering and packing donated surgical supplies, confirming patients, and preparing for back-to-back surgery days. But in March, due to heightened security concerns tied to U.S. border policies, the mission was abruptly canceled. It was a heartbreaking setback, knowing the work, generosity, and preparation that had gone into making it possible.
These challenges are not new. Just two years ago, Dr. Colvard traveled with Dr. Kandavel and his son, only to be denied entry upon arrival at a Gulf of Mexico regional airport. They were detained for six hours, pressured to pay a bribe, and ultimately turned away — another mission lost to circumstances beyond their control.
Yet the commitment remains unshaken. We are fully dedicated to returning to El Fuerte in March of next year. The clinic continues to operate year-round with two surgical microscopes donated by our team three years ago, which remain in excellent working condition and have provided sight-saving surgery to hundreds in our absence. Our return will replenish vital supplies, provide fresh surgical expertise, and renew the spirit of this mission for years to come.
Your generosity to Friends of Vision keeps this work alive — honoring over 30 years of Dr. Colvard’s service and ensuring his legacy continues to change lives.
