A Temple-Made Commitment: Purpose in Service 

Dr. Jay Talsania’s journey with the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation (GHHF) began in 2004, when his mentor, Scott Kozin, MD, Chief of Staff for Shriners Hospitals for Children and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, invited him to join a surgical mission. In the photo above, Dr. Talsania is second from the right, standing beside Dr. Kozin, third from the right, along with other Temple colleagues who share this mission-driven work. That first mission proved to be a transformative experience. GHHF focuses on providing reconstructive surgery for children with congenital conditions, burns, and injuries—care that is often unavailable locally. “That first trip opened my eyes,” Dr. Talsania says. “We were working with limited resources, but the gratitude and resilience of the patients showed me how much difference we could make.” 

Two decades later, Dr. Talsania has become a cornerstone of the foundation’s work, helping to expand the mission’s reach and impact. His involvement goes far beyond performing surgeries; he mentors younger volunteers, assists in teaching  local medical teams, and helps fundraise and help with  the logistical efforts that make each trip possible. Over the years, the mission has also become a reflection of Temple Medicine, with a strong network of Temple-connected professionals joining the effort. Among them are Henry Backe, MD ’86, an orthopaedic surgeon practicing in Connecticut; Miguel Pirela-Cruz, MD ’80, an orthopaedic surgeon based in El Paso, Texas; and Dr. Kozin, whose mentorship has shaped countless careers, including Dr. Talsania’s. 

One of the most meaningful aspects of Dr. Talsania’s work with GHHF is the opportunity to share the experience with his son, Alec Talsania, MD ’21, a fourth-year Temple orthopaedic surgery resident who is now applying for his hand surgery fellowship. Alec began accompanying his father on missions as a young teenager, starting as an observer and eventually becoming part of the team. On the most recent trip, Alec operated alongside Dr. Kozin, the very mentor who had inspired his father’s path nearly 20 years ago. 

“Watching Alec grow into a compassionate, skilled physician has been incredible,” Dr. Talsania reflects. “Seeing him operate with Dr. Kozin—someone who shaped my career—was a full-circle moment for me, both personally and professionally. It brought together everything I value about medicine: mentorship, service, and the power of the Temple community to make an impact.” 

The work of the GHHF is a testament to the values at the heart of Temple Medicine. Alumni like Dr. Talsania, Dr. Backe, and Dr. Pirela-Cruz embody the mission-driven spirit Temple instills, using their training to adapt, problem-solve, and serve wherever the need is greatest. As Dr. Talsania puts it, “Temple prepares you to tackle tough cases and do what needs to be done. That kind of training is invaluable in settings where resources are scarce, and you have to rely on your creativity and collaboration to solve problems.” 

For Dr. Talsania, these missions are not just about practicing medicine—they are about honoring the legacy of mentorship and paying it forward, ensuring that the next generation of Temple-trained physicians is ready to make an even greater impact. 

"Temple gave me the tools to handle tough situations and figure out solutions, no matter how complex… That’s been critical to the work I do with GHHF."

In Conversation with Dr. Talsania 

How do these missions challenge you as a physician? 

It’s a totally different ballgame compared to working in a well-supplied hospital with every instrument and implant here in the U.S. You don’t have access to the latest equipment or the same level of support, so you have to get creative. It pushes you to think critically, adapt on the fly, and really focus on what’s most important. Honestly, it’s humbling. It brings you back to the basics of why we do what we do—to help people with whatever tools we have. 

How has your work with GHHF influenced your practice at home? 

It’s had a huge impact. First and foremost I learn something every mission operating with colleagues which normally doesn’t happen in the lehigh valley. When you see how much can be accomplished with so little, it changes the way you approach your work. You become more resourceful, more intentional. That perspective inspired me to help set up a domestic mission in the Lehigh Valley, where we took care of patients who might not otherwise be able to get the help they need. The idea of continuity—helping patients globally and here at home—is something I’m passionate about. This was also inspired by Dr. Kozin who started the domestic Touching Hands program when he was our American Society for Surgery of the Hand President as his legacy. 

What does it mean to work with Temple-connected colleagues on these missions? 

It is something special to working alongside people you admire—people who’ve set the standard in their fields—with a shared Temple connection. Dr. Backe was a senior Orthopaedic resident when I was a senior medical student applying—I wanted to be like him. There’s an unspoken understanding, that we all learned to roll up our sleeves at Temple and just get the job done. Whether it’s Dr. Kozin, who’s been a mentor to me, or others on the team, there’s a shared sense of purpose that is not just about being good at what you do—it’s about doing good, together. 

How does your Temple education influence your work with GHHF? 

Temple gave me the tools to handle tough situations and figure out solutions, no matter how complex. We trained in such a dynamic environment, treating all kinds of patients and learning to adapt. That’s been critical to the work I do with GHHF. But more than that, Temple taught me that medicine isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. It’s about serving people. That’s the mindset I take with me to Guatemala and bring back home. 

What keeps you coming back year after year? 

The patients, without a doubt. Some of them travel for days just for the chance to see us. You see entire families waiting for hours, and when they finally get care, their gratitude is overwhelming. It’s impossible not to feel connected to them. And then there’s the team—the relationships we’ve built over the years with the local community and among ourselves. It feels like we’re part of something bigger, something that really matters. 

What advice would you give to fellow alumni interested in global health? 

Don’t overthink it—just start. There are so many ways to get involved. If traveling overseas feels like too much at first, look for opportunities to help in your own community. There’s need everywhere. Reach out to people in the Temple network, too. It’s full of folks who’ve been in your shoes and are more than willing to guide you. The important thing is to take that first step—you won’t regret it. 

Visit GuatemalaHands.org to learn more about the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation or donate to support its efforts. 

Make a gift to the Orthopaedic Residents fund to help continue Temple’s legacy of excellence in orthopaedic education. 

Photo: Temple Made medicine healing hands in Guatemala. From left: Alec Talsania, MD '21, Henry Backe, MD '86, Scott Kozin, MD, Jay Talsania, MD '91, Miguel Pirela-Cruz, MD ’80.