Restoring smiles, rebuilding lives: Dr. Matthew Johnson brings SIU’s mission to the Philippines
Matthew Johnson, MD, has spent the past decade as a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in the Department of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) at SIU Medicine. There, he has access to state-of-the-art equipment and a team of nurses, medical assistants and call center professionals, guiding a full surgical schedule.
However, for extended periods during the past two years, Johnson has stepped away from his home, his practice and his familiar tools to seek out a different kind of operating room: one more modest, remote and deeply needed. He has volunteered with Operation of Hope and Gift of Life. These international missions provide cleft lip and palate surgeries to children in underserved communities.
This year, Johnson was joined by other members of SIU Medicine ENT, including resident Dr. Sophia Matos, MD and nurse Edwilyn Colwell. Together, they cared for 30 patients at Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines, alongside a small team of providers from across the United States, including New York, California, and Montana. The full care team included two surgeons, one resident, one anesthesiologist, two certified registered nurse anesthetists, two operating room nurses, two post-anesthesia care nurses, two floor nurses, and two administrators.
After seeing the impact these missions have on families year after year, Johnson said he’s committed to continuing the work.
“I want to continue to return as much as possible,” said Johnson, who just completed his tenth year at SIU Medicine. “This is a patient population that benefits from stability. The more we can provide, the better.”
For Matos, the experience offered a humbling reminder of why she chose a career in medicine. “Many of the families traveled long distances, some taking four or five-hour bus rides or arriving by boat from remote islands, all in hopes of receiving life-changing care,” she said. “Beyond restoring speech and swallowing function, these surgeries profoundly impact confidence, opportunity, and community life, leaving lasting change far beyond the operating room.”
Among the many patients they met and stories they heard, one encounter stood out in particular. A young boy returned one year after his cleft lip repair, beaming as he asked to take a photo with Dr. Johnson.
“The joy on his face was a powerful reminder of why this work matters,” Matos said.
“Those moments are so meaningful,” Johnson agreed. “This is one of the few areas of surgery where we can build long-term relationships with patients, to be part of their growth and progress as they mature.”
Back in Springfield, Johnson’s commitment to care is just as clear. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery recently recognized his leadership, naming him chair of its Face to Face Committee. The national program helps surgeons use their expertise to care for patients in need, both at home and abroad.
“My work is incredibly rewarding. Treating complex conditions by understanding them and tailoring each treatment, that’s why we enter medicine. To take care of our patients,” he said.
