When we hear the phrase, "You are an absolute angel," what comes to mind? In many traditions, Angels are defined as those who offer kindness, guidance, protection, and help.

Our Operation Walk Angels do all of this and more. Although most of our patients do not know who their specific Angel is—from Nepal to Peru to Tanzania and Guatemala—they all know that a generous group of supporters in the greater Los Angeles area makes Operation Walk missions possible.

You are our Angels, and we thank you. When we speak about you to our patients, they often ask us to share that they feel loved, supported, and cared for by people they have never met. You are a continual reminder of the goodness and kindness in the world.

Please join us on Tuesday, December 8, at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena for our annual Angel Luncheon to celebrate our Angels on earth.

Please RSVP to Marion Moser by November 23, 2026. 

marion@operationwalk.org or (424) 465-3600

Or visit our website to renew, join, or RSVP today!

https://operationwalk.org/become-an-angel/

We are honored to have Dr. Andrew Ira Spitzer as a featured speaker for this year’s Angels Luncheon. Dr. Spitzer has volunteered with Operation Walk Los Angeles on two missions: General Santos City, Philippines, 2024, and Havana, Cuba, 2025. 

Dr. Andrew Ira Spitzer is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction of the hip and knee. He is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of Value-Based Arthroplasty at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He is also the inaugural chairholder of the Leanse Family Endowed Chair in Adult Orthopedics in Honor of Ted Goldstein, MD.

Dr. Spitzer is deeply involved in medical staff leadership at Cedars-Sinai, where he serves as Vice Chief of Staff and incoming Chief of Staff, as well as Co-Chair of the Physician Wellness Committee. He also serves on numerous hospital-based committees.

His clinical and research interests focus on hip and knee replacement surgery, implant design, and advances in arthroplasty care, including robotic-assisted surgery, enhanced surgical techniques, blood management, and the prevention of thrombosis following total joint replacement. He also has a strong interest in the nonoperative treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis and is recognized as a key opinion leader in injection therapy for osteoarthritis.

Dr. Spitzer is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He has authored and coauthored numerous peer-reviewed and invited publications and has contributed chapters to textbooks on hip and knee replacement. He is an internationally recognized speaker and has lectured extensively throughout the United States and abroad on topics related to adult reconstruction and arthroplasty.

In recognition of his dedication to education and professional service, Dr. Spitzer was awarded honorary membership in the Israel Orthopaedic Association following a decade of teaching and commitment to the organization. He is also a recipient of the Golden Apple Award from the Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedic Residency Program for outstanding teaching.

Dr. Spitzer serves as a consultant reviewer for numerous leading orthopaedic journals, including The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Orthopedics, and The Journal of Knee Surgery.

Armando's first steps after bilateral knee replacement

It has now been 4 years and 10 months since my bilateral knee surgery. The medical team and the rest of the staff who cared for me—led by surgeon Steven Barnett and his wonderful team—provided truly exceptional and attentive care, reflecting the high level of professionalism that characterizes all of you. 

Both surgeries were performed perfectly; my mobility and ability to get around changed completely starting from that blessed day, April 4, 2022. I am still doing very well; whenever I leave the house and need to walk longer distances, I always use the excellent walker I was provided with to prevent any potential falls—something we all need to be careful about. I also perform the recommended exercises quite regularly. I do experience some manageable discomfort, which I assume is simply a normal part of having prostheses. Overall, I can say that the work done by this wonderful team of professionals—who help those in need, as was the case for me—was truly excellent. 

I would like to send my warmest and most affectionate regards to all the specialized staff who changed my life—the team that was part of the mission to Cuba in April 2022. My deepest thanks and blessings go to the distinguished Operation Walk LA organization. In particular, I’d like to thank those I had the pleasure of meeting: Dr. Barnett, Tina and his entire surgical team, Dr. Kumar, and the nurses—Paulina, Michelle, Mary Ellen, Jeri, Matt, and Trish. To my physical therapists, Sandy Holsbeke and Jen Okuno, as well as Audra Kennedy CRNA and Lisa Fujimoto Yamaguchi PA-C, Alejandra, my interpreter, Camilla Ward and her husband, Charlie. 

To all of you—respected, compassionate healthcare workers—thank you for the good you do for so many people in our world. You are all deeply appreciated. 

With all my gratitude, 

Armando Arturo Ramos Rodriguez

Cuban Patient 2022

Armando walking 4 years after bilateral knee replacement

Shopping. Cooking. Walking in the park. Caring for loved ones.

Gone.

For over 350 million people living with severe arthritis, daily life is cut short by crippling pain and a lack of access to surgical care.

At Operation Walk Los Angeles, we perform life-changing hip and knee replacements for those with nowhere else to turn.

This #GivingTuesday (December 1), you can restore a life. Join us in funding our 2027 surgical missions and help someone stand, walk, and live freely again. More details about this urgent campaign to follow!

You don’t have to wait to change a life. Help us to fill the cup of mobility today.