MedWish International

What MedWish International does

MedWish International (now operating as MedWish MedWorks following the February 2024 merger of MedWish International and Medworks) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered at 1625 E 31st St., Cleveland, Ohio. The organization recovers usable medical surplus from more than 250 healthcare institutions nationwide and redistributes it through three principal channels: a Local Giving Program serving 300+ Northeast Ohio nonprofit partners, an International Aid Program shipping hand-carried and freight shipments (40' containers, full truckloads, pallets) to healthcare facilities in 117 countries, and free medical, dental, vision, and specialty care clinics held 6-8 times annually.

Core operations center on a Cleveland warehouse where 640,000+ lbs of medical surplus are processed annually, supported by 25,600 volunteer hours and clinical-volunteer mobilization (700+ at the November 2025 2-Day Dental + Medical Clinic). The product portfolio includes Medical Supply Recovery and Redistribution, the 2-Day Dental + Medical Clinic, Free Vision Clinics, Local and Domestic Medical Supply Aid, International Medical Aid, Healthcare Navigation Services (Medicaid/SNAP/CHIP enrollment), Medical Brigades, and an Alternative Recycling Program. Supporting revenue infrastructure includes the Care Core monthly giving program, event sponsorships (MedBash annual fundraiser), and a branded apparel store.

The revenue model combines tax-deductible charitable donations, processing and handling fees on international aid shipments ($2.00-$4.00/lb for hand-carried, $500-$10,000 for freight), corporate event sponsorship, and merchandise sales. Recipients receive supplies at no cost. The organization is led by CEO Britta Latz with a Board including Alan Peyrat (Senior Partner, The Riverside Company), Justin Novak (Partner, EY), Kristie Ross MD (CMO, UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital), and Zach Maher. MedWish MedWorks is governed as an independent nonprofit with no parent organization, holding Candid/GuideStar Platinum transparency status.

Name

MedWish International

Legal name

MedWish MedWorks

Website

https://medwish.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MedWish International (now MedWish MedWorks) is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that recovers surplus medical supplies from 250+ U.S. hospitals and redistributes them to 300+ local nonprofits and healthcare facilities across 117 countries, while hosting free dental, medical, and vision clinics for underserved Northeast Ohio residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Individual and corporate monetary donations fund operations. MedWish MedWorks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 34-1903712) with donations being tax-deductible.
2. Processing and Handling Fees (International Aid): International recipients pay processing and handling fees based on shipment type: $4.00/lb for staff-packed hand-carried shipments, $2.00/lb for recipient-packed; freight shipments range from $500-$10,000 depending on container size.
3. Apparel and Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded apparel including t-shirts ($25), hoodies ($48), sweatshirts ($43.50), hats ($26), mugs ($15.50), and patches ($18.50) to support operations.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual MedBash fundraiser event with corporate sponsorships. Event sponsorships available for 2-Day Dental + Medical Clinic and annual fundraiser.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MedWish International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. It recovers surplus medical supplies, equipment, and supplies from more than 250 U.S. healthcare institutions and redistributes them to over 300 local nonprofit partners and to hospitals and clinics in 117 countries. It also operates free medical, dental, and vision clinics serving uninsured and underinsured individuals in Northeast Ohio.

Product overview

MedWish Medworks is a humanitarian nonprofit organization (not a traditional SaaS/product company) offering a portfolio of healthcare access programs. The core offerings include: Medical Supply Recovery and Redistribution (receiving surplus from 250+ healthcare institutions), the 2-Day Dental + Medical Clinic (annual free clinic serving 1,000+ patients), Vision Clinics, Local Aid Distribution (serving 300+ partner nonprofits), International Medical Aid (shipping to 117 countries), Healthcare Navigation Services, Alternative Recycling Program, and Medical Brigades. Supporting programs include Volunteer Coordination (via Galaxy Digital), Care Core monthly giving, Event Sponsorships, and an Apparel Store. These services work together to advance health equity and environmental sustainability by redirecting medical surplus to underserved communities locally and globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Surplus Recovery and Redistribution Program Recovers usable surplus medical supplies and equipment from 250+ U.S. healthcare institutions and redistributes them to qualified nonprofit and humanitarian recipients locally and internationally.
• International Medical Aid Shipping Ships recovered medical supplies and equipment to hospitals, clinics, and humanitarian partners in 117 countries worldwide.
• Local Nonprofit Partner Distribution Distributes surplus medical supplies to more than 300 local nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable populations in the Cleveland, Ohio region.
• Free Medical, Dental, and Vision Clinics Provides free medical, dental, and vision care services to uninsured and underinsured individuals in Northeast Ohio through community clinic events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 650,000+ lives impacted since 1993
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Ukraine AidcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2022Founded in February 2022 following Russian invasion of Ukraine. CEO Dennis DeSantis vets hospitals and selects projects for MedWish shipments. Sent 13 containers of medical supplies (172,255 lbs worth $3.4M FMV) to Ukrainian hospitals. Plans three more containers in 2026. Aid distributed to Kyiv Regional Pediatric, Zaporizhzhia Regional Pediatric, Sumy Region hospitals, Kyiv and Kharkiv surgical and women's hospitals, National Burn Center in Lviv, and others.
• The Traveling ColonelscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NGO of unpaid volunteers co-founded by Colonel Chuck and Colonel Monte Dunard (30-year US Marine Corps veteran). Medical aid organization helping Ukraine with first aid and surgical support. MedWish provides monthly shipments of medical supplies; Colonel Chuck carries aid in suitcases. Over 21 tons of hospital surgical aid, first aid supplies, rehabilitation equipment, and medical equipment provided over 2.5+ years.
• Lighthouse DRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDominican Republic partner hosting medical brigades. Second brigade conducted June 2026 with 13 volunteers caring for 338 patients over 3 days. Lighthouse DR's newly constructed clinic scheduled to open fall 2026. Partnership evolved from hand-carried supplies to larger shipments and volunteer medical teams. Staff and volunteers serve as translators and support during clinic operations.
• Prevent Blindness OhiocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLongtime partner awarded MedWish the Community Partner in Vision Award at the People of Vision Celebration luncheon February 2026. Partnership delivers vision care through the Vision Care Outreach Program, connecting adults and children to eye exams, glasses, and vision services.
• Ministry in MissioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorU.S.-based nonprofit contact facilitating donations to AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. Dr. Steven Repas coordinates emergency medical supply requests. Provided pulse-ox probes for NICU/PICU and Lifepak 12 for ambulance advanced cardiac care.
• Albanians Fighting CancercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2021 with Founder Roberta Nashi and Fotini Allteni Kokeri (Kosloski Family Foundation). Sent one 40' container and eight hand carries to Hospital of City of Korca, Albania. Contributed to creation of Oncology Department with vital sign monitors, tabletop microscope, Port-a-Cath needles, and tonometer.
• Delta Dental FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenter/sponsor of the annual 2-Day Dental + Medical Clinic at Huntington Convention Center. 2025 clinic drew record 1,162 patients with 700+ volunteers providing $1.7M+ in services.
• Bausch FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Vision Clinic held at Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute. Clinic provides comprehensive eye exams and free prescription eyeglasses for adults and children.
• Sherwin-WilliamsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of MedBash 2026 annual fundraiser event featuring food, music, and community connection.
• Healthcare Institution Donors (250+)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHospitals and healthcare systems from all over the country donating surplus medical supplies to MedWish. Donors receive impact metrics, environmental footprint reports, tax benefits, and brand recognition. Partners include major Cleveland-area hospital systems.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC): Network organization supporting free and charitable clinics across the U.S. Directly relevant peer for MedWish's free clinic programs and partnership ecosystem for serving uninsured populations.

Broad incumbents

• Americares: Large global health-focused nonprofit distributing medicines, medical supplies, and emergency relief to partner clinics and countries. A broader incumbent that overlaps with MedWish on medical supply distribution and humanitarian response.
• International Medical Corps: Global humanitarian organization providing medical aid, supplies, and healthcare services in conflict and disaster zones. Comparable international aid distribution model and crisis-response capabilities.
• Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB): International nonprofit providing medical supplies, equipment, and healthcare services in underserved countries. Overlaps with MedWish on medical supply donations and international health programs.

Direct peers

• Project CURE: Nonprofit that collects donated medical equipment and supplies from U.S. manufacturers and hospitals and delivers them to developing countries. Highly comparable core activity of medical surplus recovery and global distribution.
• Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach: Nonprofit affiliated with Hospital Sisters Health System that collects and redistributes medical supplies and equipment to underserved communities globally. Directly comparable medical surplus redistribution operating model.
• MAP International: Nonprofit that provides medicines and medical supplies to people in need in over 100 countries. Directly comparable donor-to-recipient medical supply redistribution model with strong international footprint.
• Direct Relief: Major nonprofit that collects donated medical supplies and pharmaceuticals from healthcare companies and redistributes them domestically and internationally. Closest comparable in scale, mission, and operating model to MedWish's surplus recovery and redistribution programs.
• MedShare: Nonprofit that recovers unused medical supplies from U.S. hospitals and ships them to underserved healthcare facilities worldwide. Operates a near-identical surplus-recovery-and-redistribution model with both domestic and international channels.
• Global Links: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that recovers surplus medical supplies from hospitals and ships them to communities in need. Most direct regional and operational peer given similar mission, hospital donor base, and international aid channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MedWishInternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/medwishmedworks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/medwishintl
• Xx.com/medwish

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MedWish International