Healing Hearts and Bones in the Peruvian Amazon: Dr. Peter Cole of Scalpel At The Cross
In this episode of CMDA Matters, we welcome Dr. Peter Cole, a distinguished orthopedic surgeon, educator at the University of Minnesota, and founder of Scalpel At The Cross—a medical mission transforming lives in Pucallpa, Peru. Dr. Cole built Scalpel At The Cross alongside his wife Nancy in 2004, dedicating their skills and faith to providing life-changing musculoskeletal care in the Peruvian Amazon.
Join us as Dr. Cole discusses the powerful intersection of medicine and ministry, the challenges and triumphs of healthcare missions, and how integrating faith into his work as a surgeon and educator has been his calling by God. Tune in to be inspired by this conversation around the heart of healing!
Now is the time to REGISTER for the 2025 CMDA National Convention! Over a thousand healthcare professionals from all over the country will gather to uphold truth and to enjoy heartfelt community together. You’ll see and hear from Ryan Bomberger at our special Saturday evening plenary session, and be inspired, I believe by his graphic media presentation. Register today at NATCON.CMDA.ORG.
Meet Our Guest(s):
Peter Cole, MD, FAOA, Professor, University of Minnesota, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; Division Medical Director, HealthPartners Orthopaedics; Trauma Director, Regions NorthStar Trauma Network. Graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine, Residency at Brown University before sequential fellowships in Orthopaedic Trauma at Brown and Harborview Medical Center.
Dr. Cole has a worldwide reputation as an educator and researcher on advanced trauma topics including chest wall injuries, scapula fractures and nonunions of bone. Author of over 50 Chapters and 200 Peer Reviewed investigations, he is an active faculty member for AO International and has chaired many courses worldwide. His innovations in orthopaedic trauma surgery span the landscape of surgery, from implants and surgical approaches to frontiers of trauma surgery and program development.
Peter and his wife Nancy founded an Orthopaedic Medical Mission in the Amazon Jungle of Peru called Scalpel At The Cross where he enjoys challenging surgical conditions in all phases of natural history rarely seen in North America. Their three adult children, Danielle, Peter Jr and Channing are immersed in the leadership of Scalpel At The Cross, scaling its influence across North America and the Amazon Jungle.
