CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsSurgeon provides wounded vets with free treatment

Surgeon provides wounded vets with free treatment

By Nicole Johnson  bio | email | Twitter

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - A local doctor is serving those who serve us. After providing facial plastic surgery to patients for almost 20 years, Dr. Marcelo Hochman has a new mission. "I think it is a great way to be able to give back in a small way, to be able to help somebody who clearly, literally has put their life on the line for us," Dr. Hochman said.

Faces of Honor is program where plastic and reconstructive surgeons from across the country, share their expertise and services with veterans who were deployed and injured in Iraq or Afghanistan. The doctors who are involved to do some or all the work for free.

Dr. Hochman says it’s his way of saying thank you. "Any opportunity that you have to use your professional skills to help somebody else is the right thing to do."

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery launched the program in September, and they will help a wounded veteran find a nearby surgeon who can meet their needs.

Estimates show that 20% of survivable injuries suffered in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars involve the face and neck.

"These people are literally putting their lives on the line, and they're sustaining injuries on our behalf," Dr. Hochman said.

And on behalf of the troops Dr. Hochman says it's his duty and honor to help out.

Dr. Hochman only works on cosmetic or reconstructive surgery to the face. He is one of three doctors in South Carolina who works with the Faces of Honor program.

To see the requirements of the program go to www.facesofhonor.org.

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