For the past five years, Dr. Stoeckel has had the privilege of traveling to Cochabamba, Bolivia with a reconstructive surgery team to help with pediatric burn patients. The annual trip is supported by Partners of the Americas and the Wake Forest University Plastic Surgery Department, where Dr. Stoeckel completed his residency training. "Partners" is a private, voluntary, not-for-profit organization linking the citizens of 46 U.S. states with the people of Latin America and Caribbean countries. The goal of the organization is to build cross-cultural relationships in a shared pursuit for changing lives.

Each spring, Dr. Stoeckel and the team travel to La Paz and then on to Cochabamba to meet with Dr. Oscar Romero, a local surgeon who has dedicated his life and efforts to helping young burn victims. Dr. Romero's small burn unit consists of two operating rooms, several recovery rooms, and a small rehabilitation area that services children year round. In 2007, Dr. Romero opened his doors and heart to allow the American team to come help with some of his most difficult patients. Most of these children have scar contractures resulting from subacute or chronic burn injuries. These contractures cause significant limitations in joint, limb, and digit mobility. Others affect facial animation, eye protection, and normal facial structural features.

Dr. Stoeckel's surgical team completes scar contracture releases, skin grafting, and flap reconstructions. They typically spend 5 or 6 days operating on the children who come from the city, the surrounding villages, or the nearby jungle. A fantastic recovery and rehabilitation unit then cares for the children until they return the following year.

In the past few years, it has been a special reward for Dr. Stoeckel to return and see the familiar faces of young friends he has made there. He feels honored that Dr. Romero has trusted him with some of these precious children.