VHC Medical Brigade brings transformational health and development to the most vulnerable in Honduras. We empower communities to solve their challenges, provide life-changing surgeries and health technology solutions, and invest in building a robust Honduran medical system. Sustainability, community contribution, and a focus on empowering the vulnerable are integral to everything we do.

In 1999 Hurricane Mitch devastated most of Central America, leaving many without access to clean water, healthcare, and food. In response, our founder Dr. Barry Byer took action and created the Brigade to work against the infrastructural damage created by the storm by developing sustainable solutions for those in need.

We were initially founded in connection to only the Virginia Hospital Center. Today our team is spread throughout the United States. Because of our expanded affiliation with multiple healthcare centers, we now call ourselves the "VHC Medical Brigade" in the US. Our acronym is VHCMB. We often use "The Brigade" in marketing material and unofficial narratives. In Honduras, we are known as “Le Brigada de Virginia, or La Brigada Medical de Virginia”. However, our legal registration remains "Virginia Hospital Center Medical Brigade" in the US and Honduras.

Half of Hondurans live in poverty and suffer from the institutional violence that arises from underdevelopment and economic disparity. The overstretched health system in the region and lack of basic services are among the many reasons that over 200 people per day choose to leave Honduras.

The Brigade works hard to create sustainable solutions that empower local communities. Our limited funds are used to mobilize a committed network of world-class US medical professionals while training and equipping local partners and volunteers to build sustainability and local ownership. Communities who experience change through our programs become more empowered to address local challenges collectively. Ultimately, our objective is to work until Hondurans no longer need us.

Our development programming works in remote mountain villages where the majority of our health patients are women, children, and the elderly. Our medical partners around Comayagua are all public or free hospitals and clinics for low-income patients, and our surgeries are exclusively provided to very low-income patients with urgent medical needs. We continue to focus on solutions for the most underserved populations, including low-income families, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

VHCMB was initially founded as a volunteer organization. We have a small team of staff working alongside an impressive cadre of volunteers who are tirelessly committed to the Brigade's mission. Our US-based volunteer team includes: doctors nurses other medical and non-medical professionals who donate world-class expertise for the cause. In Honduras, our volunteer partners are: Community health workers Community water boards Medical equipment engineers Other specialized experts The Brigade takes pride in our high impact, transparency, and quality. With our dedicated volunteers' help, we can make the most of donor dollars! Charity Navigator awarded us an impressive 95 out of 100 "Give with Confidence," Guidestar awarded us a Platinum Transparency award, and the Washington Catalog of Philanthropy declared us as "One of the Best" for 2021