For the second time this year, the NuVasive Spine Foundation™ (NSF) traveled with Global Spine Outreach to the CHRISTUS MUGUERZA Hospital Alta Especialidad in Monterrey, Mexico. Global Spine Outreach is just one of several spine focused non-profits NSF supports through their Supported Mission Grants Program. So far in 2017, NSF has donated more than $250,000 in funding, product and services to organizations like GSO.

For this mission, NSF donated the NuVasive® Armada Fixation System, funding and intraoperative neuromonitoring services to support GSO’s surgical team led by Greg Mundis, M.D. Throughout the week long trip, NSF Ambassador Nic Didier, NuVasive Sales Specialist’s Michael Panozzo and Ed Quinn, and NuVasive Clinical Services Neurophysiologist Avani Patel worked side-by-side with the GSO team to perform 10 life-changing pediatric surgeries. The team also spent time training local surgeons on how to diagnose pathologies and best practices to correct them surgically.

A Unique Opportunity​

NSF was founded in 2009 out of NuVasive’s “attitude of gratitude” spirit. Almost 10 years later, the NUVA shareowners who continually volunteer their expertise and time are proof that this founding principle is stronger than ever. Neurophysiologist Avani Patel shares more about her experience volunteering for this mission. ​

Why did you volunteer to support an NSF mission?
I am grateful to have the credentials that allow me to go on these mission trips and help patients in such a unique way. I am a very compassionate person, and this opportunity combined my personal desire to help others with my professional skill sets. I would always hear staff at hospitals talking about mission trips and I would think to myself – “I would love to do that.” Plus, what better way to spend my birthday?!

What role did you play on the trip?
As the neurophysiologist on this trip, I used a neuromonitoring system to help surgeons determine if the spinal cord and nerve roots were being effected during each case. NSF generously donated the supplies I used to monitor each case.

What was your favorite part about the trip?
My favorite part of the trip was seeing my patients continually improve throughout the mission. Here in the Stat​es, we rarely see our patients after surgery. It was incredibly rewarding to see these young children do so well after their procedures and then see how happy giving them a new little present every other day made them. Experiencing this mission trip was a humbling reminder that the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference in a patient’s life. Volunteering on this NSF mission was such an amazing experience and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

NSF is committed to bringing world-class spine surgery, education and technology to underserved communities around the world. Next year will be an exciting new chapter for the organization as they will re-launch their Direct Mission Program at a new mission site.