Surgery on Sunday Celebrates 20 Years of Free, Life-Changing Surgeries for Those in Need
For 20 years, Surgery on Sunday has been changing lives — one operation at a time. The Lexington-based nonprofit proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of providing free, life-changing outpatient surgeries to uninsured and underinsured individuals across Kentucky and beyond.
Founded in September 2005 by Dr. Andy Moore, Surgery on Sunday was built on a simple but powerful belief: that everyone deserves access to surgical care, regardless of their ability to pay. Since its founding, the organization has helped more than 10,000 individuals regain their health, dignity, and quality of life.
The heart of Surgery on Sunday lies in its volunteers. Each month, between 50 and 60 medical professionals — including surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and support staff — come together to donate their time and expertise one Sunday a month. Their dedication transforms operating rooms into spaces of hope and healing for patients who might otherwise go without needed care.
“It’s the volunteers who make this possible,” said Dr. Andy Moore, founder of Surgery on Sunday. “For 20 years, they have stepped up month after month to serve those who have nowhere else to turn. Their compassion is the backbone of this mission.”
Though the scope of Surgery on Sunday’s work is vast, its team is lean — the organization operates with just one full-time employee. Through careful stewardship, it continues to provide exceptional care on a modest budget.
“It is amazing that we are able to perform surgeries that cost tens of thousands of dollars for less than $1,000 per patient,” said Laura Prewitt, Executive Director. “Our relationships with other healthcare providers in our community are key. The Lexington Surgery Center allows us to use their facility and CHI St. Joseph Health provides us with office space.”
Prewitt added that Surgery on Sunday is funded entirely through private donations and grants, emphasizing the nonprofit’s commitment to transparency and responsible spending. “We are very fiscally responsible, with the majority of donations and grant monies going directly back to the patients,” she said.
Patients range in age from toddlers to seniors in their 80s, and the procedures performed span a wide variety of specialties. Thanks to the diverse expertise of volunteer surgeons, the organization can perform most surgeries that can be safely completed on an outpatient basis. Procedures include cataract removal, tonsillectomies, inguinal hernia repairs, gall bladder removal, orthopedic repairs, basal cell carcinoma excisions, retina surgery, and endometrial ablations, among others.
All patients are referred to Surgery on Sunday, with most referrals coming from free health clinics across Kentucky and Tennessee. These partnerships ensure that surgical care reaches those who need it most.
What began as a small, local effort to fill a gap in healthcare has grown into a vital regional resource, bridging access to essential surgical care for thousands. While the number of patients and volunteers has grown over the years, the mission remains unchanged.
As Surgery on Sunday celebrates this milestone anniversary, it continues to stand by its founding belief — that access to surgical care should not depend on a person’s financial means. For 20 years, it has been a testament to what’s possible when compassion, skill, and community come together for a common purpose.
Donations, medical volunteers, and medical translators are always needed. Surgery on Sunday is a great cause — a fun and meaningful way to give back to the community and help others. For more information, contact Laura Prewitt at laura@surgeryonsunday.org or visit surgeryonsunday.org.