Thunder Bay is providing some medical assistance of a different kind to a small centre in Cuba.

Several shipments of obsolete medical equipment from the old Regional Hospital have already been sent to Cuba. But last week, a medical team, including two local orthopedic surgeons, also arrived to help teach surgical procedures. And the experience was so rewarding, they're already planning a return visit.

The group of volunteers made the day for many people when they offered their materials and knowledge to hospital staff in Cuba.

Dr. David Puskas and Dr. Tracy Wilson, led by Dr. Jerome Harvey, spent a week at the hospital in Placetas teaching the surgeons different techniques on performing surgery.

The two Thunder Bay doctors demonstrated these techniques, while performing shoulder surgery and twelve knee scopes on patients at the Cuban hospital. Wilson says they didn't think twice about joining this organization to help the people of Placetas.

''It was really a no-brainer for us. When you have as much as we have, and people in Canada have, I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to give back.''

Wilson said the experience was life-altering, and she said everyone was extremely grateful for the medical equipment and the demonstrations. She said her and Dr. Puskas wanted to share the blessings they have, with people who don't really have anything.

''Everyone cried when we left, and we said, well, you know, we're going to come back. You know, you guys need help and how can we not come back.''

She said as they returned home, the people from Cuba were immediately emailing her back, asking her to return to Cuba soon. She says she and Puskas are looking into the logistics to see if they can return to work in Placetas sometime in February.