Medially reviewed by Zoe Deol, MD, FACS, on June 11, 2025
Dr. Zoe Deol has treated thousands of patients during her distinguished medical career. As lead vein physician at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) clinics in Southgate, Michigan, and Southfield, Michigan, she’s known for her compassion and expertise in treating painful vein conditions like varicose veins and venous ulcers.
But during the spring of 2025, Dr. Deol stepped out of her busy practice and into a remote corner of Honduras on what would become one of the most powerful experiences of her life.
But this was no pleasure cruise. It was a medical humanitarian trip, and it changed everything for this vein expert.
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Dr. Deol joined a team of international vein specialists from the Hackett, Hemwall, Patterson Foundation (HHPF) on a weeklong trip to Honduras, where she helped treat patients with advanced vein disease in a severely resource-limited setting. She was inspired to embark on the journey after hearing about the experience from her friend, Dr. Paola Ortiz, a vascular surgeon from Uruguay, whom Dr. Deol had befriended while speaking together at the various national vein meetings. Dr. Ortiz is the HHPF Vein Clinic Director in La Ceiba, Honduras. Dr. Deol later learned that one of her colleagues at Center for Vein Restoration, Lindy McHutchison, MD, is the Clinical Director for the HHPF Vein Clinic in Olanchito, Honduras. Dr. McHutchison is also the lead physician at CVR vein clinics in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Durham, North Carolina.
But it wasn’t just professional connections that motivated Dr. Deol; it was personal, too.
“I love my job, but I had started to feel like I was living on autopilot. I was searching for something to bring color back into my life, like in the movie Pleasantville, where the world appeared in black and white, and then suddenly it appeared in brilliant colors. This trip did that for me.” –Dr. Zoe Deol
What Dr. Deol found in Honduras was both heartbreaking and profoundly moving. Hearing about the vein doctors’ arrival only by word of mouth, patients traveled for days, many walking, and lined up for hours, even sleeping outside, hoping to be seen. Some came from as far as Ecuador (anywhere from 1,259 miles to 1,334 miles away, depending on the route) and El Salvador (approximately 160 miles away).
“They wait and wait, and many don’t even get seen on the first day,” she explained. “The need is overwhelming.”
Despite the challenging environment, Dr. Deol and her team pressed on. From sunup to sundown, they treated some of the most severe cases of vein disease she had ever seen.
“In the U.S., I might see several venous ulcers a month. In Honduras, I saw the worst of the worst back-to-back, all day, every day” she said.
Many of the patients were agricultural workers—men and women who spend long days on their feet in the tropical heat, often without proper shoes or access to medical care. Others were mothers dealing with vein problems from multiple pregnancies.
The shared thread? Suffering in silence, waiting for a chance at relief.
One patient stood out in particular. She had been treated by two other doctors in the past years and returned again this year to complete her care. After her treatment, she stood up and said, “Now I’m going to show you how to dance.” And she did.
Another woman, overcome with gratitude, clung to Dr. Deol after her procedure, shaking and crying. “You could feel her whole body tremble,” Dr. Deol recalled. “It was overwhelming.”
Moments like these didn’t just touch her heart; they transformed her.
“These patients gave me a gift. They reminded me why I became a doctor. They reawakened my compassion—not just the ability to feel someone’s pain, but the drive to help fix it.”– Dr. Zoe Deol
When Dr. Deol returned to her Michigan vein clinics, everything looked different.
“I walked in and thought, ‘Wow, look at this technology we have here.’ I felt grateful to turn on the faucet and drink clean water,” she said.
Her perspective shifted. She began engaging with patients on a deeper level. She listened more, cared more, and watched as her whole clinic culture shifted with her. “Everyone is happier, more connected, and more thankful,” she shared.
With decades of surgical and vein care experience, Dr. Deol delivers compassionate, results-driven treatment for varicose veins, venous ulcers, and other vein problems. Schedule your consultation today at her Southgate or Southfield CVR clinics and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable legs.
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While the trip made a huge difference, Dr. Deol knows the work is far from over.
One of the biggest challenges in Honduras is the lack of medical equipment. While doctors in the U.S. use advanced tools like thermal ablation and vein glue, in Honduras, they had only one tool: a syringe for sclerotherapy, a medicine injected into veins to close them.
“That’s like trying to fix a leaky roof with a piece of duct tape,” Dr. Deol explained.
Now, she’s working hard to change that. She’s calling on medical device companies like Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Medi to donate vein treatment equipment and compression stockings. She’s also collaborating with local Honduran clinics to establish a space for year-round care, not just one week a year.
“We need to train doctors there and leave equipment behind so patients can be followed up,” she said. “These people deserve more than a once-a-year visit.”
Dr. Deol also encourages other doctors and medical fellows, especially those in vein and vascular training, to consider joining future trips.
“If more doctors went, we could treat more patients and educate local providers. This shouldn’t be a one-and-done event. It should be a movement.” – Dr. Zoe Deol
Through organizations like the HHP Foundation and partnerships with international colleagues, she hopes to return to Honduras soon, with better tools, more hands, and an even bigger heart. You can donate here: https://www.hhpfoundation.org/faq
To Dr. Deol, this trip wasn’t about being a hero. It was about making connections with fellow humans.
“I didn’t just go to help people. They helped me. They reminded me what it means to care—and that the power to change someone’s life often begins with simply showing up.”– Dr. Zoe Deol
Whether you’re struggling with varicose veins, leg swelling, or skin changes, our board-certified vein specialists are here to help. At CVR, we offer minimally invasive, office-based treatments that fit into your life, without the need for a hospital stay. Schedule your consultation today and take control of your vein health.
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