A few dozen local doctors are combining their faith with their skill to help the poor with healthcare needs in Guatemala.

Last year through a group called Faith in Practice, 28 teams, staffed with nearly 800 volunteers, were able to perform more than 1,000 surgeries, and treat more than 11,000 patients.

In just about a month, a local group of surgeons, anesthesiologists, dental professionals, and nurses will be packing up their talents and heading off to Guatemala once again. One of their goals is to provide quality health care to those who may otherwise not be able to foot the bill.

It's a job Dr. Thomas Salzer believes he was called to do.

"Tonsil problems, ear, nose, and throat, sinus problems, all facial plastic reconstructive issues," Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Dr. Thomas Salzer said.

Although he performs surgeries like those quite frequently here at home, he's now on a mission to help others in need of surgery over in Guatemala. It's a place where he says the need is great, and many are already lining up.

"When we get there, there will be hundreds of people triaged over the course of the year that have been waiting to see us, that have been identified with the type of problems we can take care of," Salzer said.

Some of those problems will include correcting deformities such cleft palettes, removing tumors, and even more basic procedures. Although communication with the patient can be difficult there, they don't let the language barrier get in the way.

"A lot of times, whatever they point to we tend to," Anesthesiologist Dr. Bert Hart said.

Hart will be joining the team of about 40 local people to help make a difference abroad.

But over the years, he and Dr. Salzer say it's the patients who have left the biggest impact on their hearts.

"My wife went a couple of years ago, and she just fitted a young man with some crutches and taught him how to walk with crutches. His mom went outside and bought her some peaches with the little money she has, she bought my wife some peaches," Hart said.

"If you were to be able to perform some relatively minor thing that restores function to one of the children there, the parents are so gracious. They act like it's sort of a miracle," Salzer said.

Every doctor, nurse, or medical professional that travels to Guatemala pays their own way. Not only that, but they also raise money to help pay for supplies such as antibiotics and medical equipment.

In addition, it costs about $100 for every surgery they're able to do, and this year they're hoping to do about 80 surgeries in the week they will spend there, so they're also trying to raise money for that.

If you're interested in helping out, check out the Faith in Practice fundraising event this weekend. It gets underway Saturday at Hullabaloo's Diner on Wellborn Road.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. and lasts until midnight, and will include live music and a silent auction.

They're asking for a $10 donation.