SpineHope’s mission is to transform children’s lives worldwide through spine surgery, education, and research.
About Us
SpineHope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing advanced spine treatment to children around the world. SpineHope provides assistance to children of all backgrounds. We partner with various healthcare organizations, device companies, and medical professionals to provide state-of-the-art spine care to children not able to receive modern treatments for spine malformations or other complex spine disorders in their communities.
Our goals are to reduce pain and improve quality of life for children with spinal conditions. To promote sustainable spine care and treatment for children in our global outreach sites, it is part of our mission to help educate and train local medical teams on advanced surgical techniques and spine safety protocols.
SpineHope programs include our Global Outreach Programs, focused on coordinating surgical mission trips to under-resourced countries to perform pediatric spine surgery and offer training to host surgeons and local medical staff. Additionally, we offer a U.S.-based Program that brings children to the United States for charity spine surgery and treatment at no cost to the patient.
Surgery-Based:
Provide life-transforming surgical care to children around the world in need of spine treatment through our Global Outreach and U.S. Programs.
Our
Goals
Education-Based:
Offer onsite training to partnering surgeons/medical teams abroad on advanced spine care AND videos, information, and links to assist those living with spine conditions.
Research-Based:
Gather clinical information to formulate a registry and database of information to better study complex spine disorders.
Our Vision
Every child with a complex spine condition has the chance to live a better and healthier life.
Our History
Although SpineHope was officially formed in 2008, the mission work dates back to 2001. During the earlier years, the Colombia program was headed by Dr. Steve Mardjetko through Chicago’s Shriner’s Hospital. In 2008, spine surgeon Dr. Matthew Geck initiated steps to formalize the program in Colombia and co-founded SpineHope. Since 2001, hundreds of spine surgeries have been performed.