Our Mission
Creating a healthier world by connecting communities with life-saving resources and sustainable partnerships.
SOS elevates health equity in marginalized communities in a unique way: by collecting over half a million pounds annually of surplus medical supplies that would otherwise go to landfills and using them to improve medical care and access.
We are one of only six organizations in the United States licensed to do this highly-specialized medical recovery work– and we are the only one with International and Local Health programs and an Education program!
Our Story
SOS International was founded in 1993 after local surgeon Dr. Norton Waterman had a light bulb moment in the operating room. He realized that before and after every single surgery, many unused supplies were thrown away due to medical protocol. The same thing happened in every department of every hospital before and after every procedure and appointment– with US hospitals creating 6 million pounds of medical waste every year.
Dr. Waterman wondered: What if those supplies– and other perfectly good medical equipment that often got discarded for newer models– could be collected and sent overseas to serve communities in desperate need? He cleaned out a closet at the Greater Louisville Medical Society to use for supplies he began to collect… and SOS was born.
Our History
1993SOS International is created as a program under GLMS
2010SOS gains a warehouse and becomes a nonprofit
2016Denise Sears becomes CEO & President
2019Local Health Program created
2023Education Program created
SOS Improves Healthcare for Over A Million People Every Year
Countries
Local social service orgs
Local individuals
Animal rescues
KY and IN allied health students
Our People
SOS accomplishes its mission with a small, dedicated team that includes a leadership team of eight, five warehouse employees and thousands of volunteers including a team of more than 40 regular volunteers who oversee many aspects of our mission– from organizing inventory to creating packing lists to supervising other volunteers .
The SOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS is made up of community leaders who help move this mission forward.