Providing affordable health and wellness services, and extending livelihood and educational opportunities to underserved communities in the Philippines.

What is FISSH?

FISSH stands for Friends in Selfless Service of Humanity. Through our outreach we aim to glorify God and bear witness of His love, proclaim the everlasting Gospel of Hope and take up the healing ministry of Christ. This means getting out of our comfort zone to extend a helping hand to others who are less fortunate without expecting anything in return. It is a selfless act, rooted in kindness and compassion, stressing the importance of caring for our fellow human beings and is integral to creating better communities.

“For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”

— Deuteronomy 15:11

General santos
may 2024

In the scorching summer heat of May 2024, FISSH embarked on a surgical outreach where over the course of a week, we provided a variety of surgical and dental services to the people of General Santos city, South Cotabato, Philippines. Meet the medical professionals and volunteers in the group and get a glimpse of what FISSH is all about.

Featured
Finding Balance: Juggling Work, Life, And Self-Care
Bruce Montana
Finding Balance: Juggling Work, Life, And Self-Care
Bruce Montana

The more technology we have, the easier life is supposed to be – but somehow, the world just gets faster-paced and everything feels much more frantic than it did before. You're trying to kill it in your career while looking after friendships, romance, and maybe even children, but what about self-care? It feels like you're constantly juggling and if you take your eye off any of the balls for even a second, one drops to the ground.

Your career demands your attention.

Your family and friends need you just as much as you need them.

And what about self-care?

Believe it or not, you can have them all if you simply find the right balance…

Read More →
Bruce Montana
Of Bleeding, Pleading
Fraulein A. Oclarit, D.Com — Guest Contributor
Of Bleeding, Pleading
Fraulein A. Oclarit, D.Com — Guest Contributor

Kalbay Barangay Kagawad Marilo Castro’s heart raced as she stepped forward, her palms slightly sweaty, to volunteer her story. Anxious yet determined, she began to share her experiences. "Actually, Mam, dili ni akuang anak. Ako na lang ni iyang gi-adopt kay namatay man ang iyang inahan sa panganganak niya." (Actually, she is not my child. I just adopted her because her mother died while giving birth to her.)

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Fraulein A. Oclarit, D.Com — Guest Contributor
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: An RODCH First
Joseph Layson, MD
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: An RODCH First
Joseph Layson, MD

During the FISSH surgical outreach in the simmering summer of May 2024, the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases were performed at the RO Diagan Community Hospital (RODCH). Using the newly acquired laparoscopy equipment was a historic and innovative move by RODCH owner and CEO Dr. Renato Diagan, MD. It was during this outreach that the very first minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) were performed at this hospital.

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Joseph Layson, MD

upcoming Outreach Events

Are you interested in being a part of these outreach events? Learn more about ways you can partner with us and bring your compassion into action.

  • We will be returning to GENERAL SANTOS, South Cotabato, Philippines and offering surgical and dental services.

  • We will be offering medical, dental and surgical services to the community of CALBAYOG, Samar, Philippines