Interplasts Dilemma

Founded in the late 1960s Interplast was to send the first international humanitarian organization, the American doctors abroad to provide free reconstructive surgery for children and adults in developing countries. Over the next 30 years, Interplast has grown from an informal volunteer-led effort to a professional organization. By 2000 over 2,500 volunteers had Interplast had promoted trips to 30 countries, and over 3,000 surgeries performed each year. This case is intended to b … Read more »

Founded in the late 1960s Interplast was to send the first international humanitarian organization, the American doctors abroad to provide free reconstructive surgery for children and adults in developing countries. Over the next 30 years, Interplast has grown from an informal volunteer-led effort to a professional organization. By 2000 over 2,500 volunteers had Interplast had promoted trips to 30 countries, and over 3,000 surgeries performed each year. This case is used to read a background for the companion video case, “The Evolution of Interplast,” which details the organization growth and the debates as it began its focus from direct service shift (sending surgeons and other medical professionals overseas incurred offer reconstructive surgery) to education (investment in training of foreign doctors) and empowerment (the provision of resources and infrastructure), so that these local professionals have been able to serve their own people. The Chronicles video case shift the debate on these and related policy decisions, raises issues of organizational development, strategic change, and nonprofit governance.
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from
James A. Phills,
Chip Heath
Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business
15 pages.
Release date: 05 October, 2006. Prod #: SI14-PDF-ENG
Interplast dilemma HBR case solution