Our Amazing Volunteers

We Could Not Have Done What We Have Without These Amazing Individuals & Organizations!

We are incredibly thankful for all the volunteer support we have received over the years.

Our mission continues because of your participation, so thank you all for making a difference!

Current SpineHope Volunteers

Special Project, Marketing, Content Contributors & Patient Advocate Volunteers: 

  • Jessy Faulkner - Immigration Attorney and Patient Advocate
  • Angie Gold - Patient Advocate and Events
  • Sophie Aliece Hollis - Patient Advocate, Marketing, and Content Writer
  • Danielle Vernon - Video Content Contributor/Producer (PT, CEAS III & ScolioAustin)
  • Elaine Tvrdik - Video Content Contributor/Producer (Camp Gladiator Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach)
  • Tommy Schwegmann and Karla Suárez - Video Content Contributor/Producer (Go Dance Studio Austin Dance Instructors)
  • Anne Grady - Video Content Contributor/Producer (Speaker, Coach and Writer at the Anne Grady Group)
  • Grandma Sparky - Video Content Contributor/Producer (Author)
  • Sheryl Lynn - Video Content Contributor/Producer (Founder of Joyely)
  • Precious Paledi - Video Content Contributor/Producer (Scoliosis Support Botswana)
  • Sandra Dee Robinson - Video Content Contributor/Producer (Founder, Media Trainer/Writer/Producer at Charisma on Camera, LLC).
  • Ingrid Villarreal - Patient Advocate, Content Writer and Translator

  • Natasha Simon - Patient Advocate and Hub Patient Support

  • Courtney Battaglia - Patient Advocate and Content writer
  • Skylar Saba - Website Support (Groove Street Creative)
  • Isabella Villarreal, Patient Advocate, Content Writer, Social Media and Special Projects

U.S. Hub Program Volunteers:

  • Matthew Geck, MD (Spine Surgeon) at Texas Spine and Scoliosis

  • Craig Kuhns, MD (Spine Surgeon) at Austin Spine

  • Ryan Murdock, MD (Spine Surgeon) at Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Tory Meyer, MD (Pediatric Surgeon) at Dell Children’s Medical Center

  • Curtis Jackson and Whitney Scurlock at Medtronic 

  • Wynn “Bridges” Gordy at NuVasive, Inc.

  • Participating Anesthesiologists at US Anesthesia Partners (USAP)

  • Elena Ruiz, MD (Pediatrician) at Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Jessy Faulkner (Immigration attorney)

  • Ingrid Villarreal (Patient Advocate/Support/Translator)

  • Angie Gold (Patient Advocate/Support)

2023 Nicaragua surgical Trip Volunteers:

  • Matthew Geck, Spine Surgeon

  • Alec Stall, Spine Surgeon

  • Jorge Guerrero, Anethesiologist/OR Translator

  • Erika Henson, RN/OR Translator

  • Brandon Black, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Whitney Scurlock, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Bridges Gordy, NuVasive Neuromonitoring Tech

  • Kimberley King, Onsite Coordinator/Translator

  • Sophie Aliece Hollis, Onsite Support/Translator

U.S. Hub Program Volunteer Organizations:

  • ARA Diagnostic Imaging

  • Assure Neuromonitoring

  • ATECC Spine

  • NAPA – Austin Anesthesia Group

  • Austin Spine

  • Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Children’s Cardiology Associates

  • Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, a member of Ascension

  • Medtronic Spine USA

  • NuVasive Spine Foundation/NuVasive, Inc.

  • Pediatric Critical Care Associates

  • Pediatric Specialty Services

  • Seton Children’s Ear Nose & Throat Center

  • Seton UT/Southwestern University Physicians Group

  • Smiley Group

  • ‘Specially for Children, Children’s Hospital Subspecialists of Central Texas

  • Texas Spine and Scoliosis

  • Thomas Law Firm, PLLC

  • US Anesthesia Partners (Formally Capital Anesthesiology Association (CAA)

2022 Volunteers

2022 Ecuador Surgical Trip Volunteers:

  • Matthew Geck, Spine Surgeon

  • Hazem Nicola, Spine Surgeon

  • Curtis Jackson, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Brandon Black, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Whitney Scurlock, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Bridges Gordy, NuVasive Neuromonitoring Tech

  • Kimberley King, Onsite Coordinator/Translator

  • Sophie Aliece Hollis, Onsite Support/Translator

2022 Nicaragua Surgical Trip Volunteers:

  • Matthew Geck, Spine Surgeon

  • Jorge Guerrero, Anesthesiologist

2021 Volunteers

2021 Volunteer and Service Donor Organizations:

SWEAT X SERVE’s  – On Demand classes, including Hatha Yoga, Mat Pilates Fusion, Barre and Yoga Sculpt, click here: https://sweatxserve.wixsite.com/site/on-demand.

2020 Volunteers

2020 Event Planning Committee:

  • Natalie Grogono

  • Carmela Pinzone

  • Colleen Turner

  • Dana Wilcox

  • Keely Williams

2020 U.S. Hub Program Volunteers:

  • Dr. Ryan Murdock (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon) at Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Dr. Matthew Geck (Spine Surgeon) at Texas Spine and Scoliosis

  • Brandon Black and Whitney Scurlock at Medtronic 

  • Wynn “Bridges” Gordy at NuVasive, Inc.

  • Elena Ruiz, MD (Pediatrician) at Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Jessy Faulkner, Immigration attorney


2020 Volunteer Organizations

  • ARA Diagnostic Imaging

  • Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Dell Children’s Medical Center, Member of Ascension

  • Medtronic, Inc.

  • NuVasive, Inc.

  • Texas Spine and Scoliosis

  • Thomas Law Firm, PLLC

  • US Anesthesia Partners (Formally Capital Anesthesiology Association

2019 Volunteers

2019 Ukraine Surgical Trip Volunteers:

Our inaugural surgical trip took place October 7-13, 2019 at the Stryi Central District Hospital. The trip was a considerable success. Thank you to the following SpineHope volunteers who made this trip possible:

  • Matthew Geck, Spine Surgeon

  • Luke Tomycz, Neurosurgeon

  • Jorge Guerrero, Anesthesiologist

  • Brandon Black, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Bridges Gordy, NuVasive Neuromonitoring Tech

  • Kimberley King, Co-Onsite Coordinator

  • Anya Siryk, Co-Onsite Coordinator/Translator

2019 WALK TALL Austin Benefit Volunteers:

2019 Ecuador Surgical Trip Volunteers:

  • Ryan Murdock, Spine Surgeon

  • Alec Stall, Spine Surgeon

  • Jorge Guerrero, Anesthesiologist/OR Translator

  • Curtis Jackson, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Brandon Black, Medtronic Implant/Product Representative

  • Bridges Gordy, NuVasive Neuromonitoring Tech

  • Emily Kegans, Sentry Neuromonitoring Tech

  • Kimberley King, Co-Onsite Coordinator

  • Keely Williams, Co-Onsite Coordinator

  • Jacinto Real, OR Nurse/Translator

2019 U.S. Hub Program Volunteers:

  • Dr. Ryan Murdock (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon) at Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Dr. Matthew Geck (Spine Surgeon) at Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center

  • Dr. Timothy George at Dell Children’s Medical Center

  • Brandon Black at Medtronic 

  • Wynn “Bridges” Gordy at NuVasive, Inc.

  • Seton Family Services 

  • ARA Staff

  • Elena Ruiz, MD (Pediatrician) at Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Jessy Faulkner, Immigration attorney

  • David Shackelford at Azarmehr Law Group (ALG Immigration Law Firm)

2019 Volunteer Organizations

  • Dell Children’s Medical Center, Member of Ascension

  • Medtronic, Inc.

  • NuVasive, Inc.

  • K2M, now a part of Stryker

  • Alliance Spine

  • Austin Pediatric Surgery

  • US Anesthesia Partners (Formally Capital Anesthesiology Association)

  • Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center

  • ARA

  • Seton Family of Services

  • Azarmehr Law Group (ALG Immigration Law Firm)

  • Bee Caves Pediatrics

2018 Volunteers

2018 Ecuador Global Outreach Program:

  • Matthew Geck, MD (Spine Surgeon), Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center in Austin, Texas

  • Ryan Murdock, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon), Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics in Austin, Texas

  • Brandon Black, Equipment and Implant Representa ve, Medtronic Spine USA

  • Wynn “Bridges” Gordy, Neuromonitoring Tech, NuVasive, Inc.

  • Jorge Guerrero, MD, Anesthesiologist and OR Translator, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

  • Kim King, Onsite Coordinator and Translator, Rackspace

  • Nicole Falcone, Senior Pediatric Physical Therapist, Institute for Child Development, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ

2018 WALK TALL Austin Benefit

  • Colleen Turner

  • Amanda Beck

  • Natalie Grogono

  • Danielle Vernon

  • Jaclyn Felts

  • Keely Floyd

  • Melissa Hamilton

  • Kathy Cantilo

  • Alistair Deakin

  • Special Contributors: Amanda Inniss Beck for program design service; Mauricio Callejas for lighting/AV; McCarthy Print, Inc. for program paper donation and printing services; Silly Artist for caricature services; Kendra Scott, Circuit of The Americas, and Erica Wildman for items donated for this evening’s raffle; and Massage Sway for donating a massage booth to make this event extra special!

2018 US Hub Program Volunteers:

  • Dr. Ryan Murdock (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon) at Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Dr. Matthew Geck (Spine Surgeon) at Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center

  • Dr. Michael Josephs (General Surgeon) at Austin Pediatric Surgery

  • Dr. Timothy George (Neurosurgeon) at DCMC

  • Dr. Virginia Harrod (Neuro-Oncologist) at DCMC

  • Brandon Black and Whitney Scurlock at Medtronic Spine USA

  • Wynn “Bridges” Gordy and Henry Hughes at NuVasive, Inc.

  • Dr. Mark Gunn, Dr. Nicolas Lee, Dr. Genevieve Mounce and Dr. Royce Hayes at US Anesthesia Partners (Formally Capital Anesthesiology Association)

  • Seton Family Services 

  • ARA Staff

  • Elena Ruiz, MD (Pediatrician) at Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Jessy Faulkner at Azarmehr Law Group (ALG Immigration Law Firm)

  • Thomas Engwall at Alliance Spine

  • Melissa Hamilton

2018 Volunteer Organizations

  • Dell Children’s Medical Center, Member of Ascension

  • Medtronic, Inc.

  • NuVasive, Inc.

  • K2M

  • Alliance Spine

  • Austin Pediatric Surgery

  • US Anesthesia Partners (Formally Capital Anesthesiology Association)

  • Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics

  • Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center

  • ARA

  • Seton Family of Services

  • Azarmehr Law Group (ALG Immigration Law Firm)

  • Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities

  • Austin Brain and Spine

  • Child Neurology Consultants of Austin

  • Children’s Cardiology Associates

2017 Volunteers

2017 Costa Rica Global Outreach Program:

  • Matthew Geck, MD (Spine Surgeon), Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center in Austin, Texas

  • Todd Ritzman, MD (Spine Surgeon), Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio

  • Ryan Murdock, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon), Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics in Austin, Texas

  • Alec Stall, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon), Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Texas

  • Brandon Black, Equipment and Implant Representa ve, Medtronic Spine USA

  • Wynn “Bridges” Gordy, Neuromonitoring Tech, NuVasive, Inc.

  • Jorge Guerrero, MD, Anesthesiologist and OR Translator, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

  • Curtis Jackson, Equipment and Implant Representa ve, Medtronic Spine USA

  • Emily Kegans, Neuromonitoring Tech, SentryNeuro

  • Kim King, Onsite Coordinator and Translator, Rackspace

  • Lt. Maricela Soberanes, DNP, CRNA and Translator

  • Wes Varghese, Neuromonitoring Tech, SentryNeuro

2017 Ecuador Global Outreach Program Volunteers:

  • Nicole Falcone, Senior Pediatric Physical Therapist, Institute for Child Development, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ

2017 Benefit, Event & Fundraiser Volunteers:

2017 WALK TALL Austin Benefit

  • Berenice Bonilla

  • Colleen Turner, CT Marketing Solutions, Inc. – Assistance with locating medical products and supplies donations for SpineHope medical mission trips as well as volunteer for WALK TALL Austin

  • Amanda Beck, Photographer for WALK TALL Austin

  • Rose Castro

  • Natalie Grogono

  • Amy Rames

  • Kathy Cantilo – SpineHope Ambassador

  • Alistair Deakin, KaleidaCare – SpineHope Ambassador

2017 Kendra Scott Give Back Party

  • Kendra Scott

2017 GoDance Summer Showcase

  • GoDance

  • Brittany Gabel

  • Alistair Deakin

2017 Houston Costa Rica Program Fundraiser

  • Keely Floyd, SentryNeuro – Event Coordinator for Houston Costa Rica Program Fundraiser

  • Emily Kegans, Neuromonitoring Tech, SentryNeuro

2017 US Hub Program Volunteers & Donating Organizations:

  • Ryan Murdock, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon), Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics in Austin, Texas

  • Matthew Geck, MD (Spine Surgeon), Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center in Austin, Texas

  • Jorge Guerrero, MD, Anesthesiologist at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Translator

  • Brandon Black, Medtronic, Inc.

  • Bridges Gordy, NuVasive, Inc.

  • Curtis Jackson, Medtronic, Inc.

  • The Caribbean Children Foundation (TCCF)

  • Consul General of Costa Rica, Carlos Pacheco, and his family

  • Rosibel Chaves Sotela and her family

  • CAA Volunteer Anesthesiologists

  • Seton Family Services and Dell Children’s Medical Center Staff

  • Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics 

  • Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center

  • ARA and their Staff

  • Mercy Medical and American Airlines

  • Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities

  • Azarmehr Law Group (ALG Immigration Law Firm)

2017 Volunteer Organizations:

  • GoDance

  • Kendra Scott

  • MEDITEK

  • Medtronic, Inc.

  • NuVasive, Inc.

  • SentryNeuro

  • CAA

  • ARA

  • Seton Family of Services

  • Azarmehr Law Group (ALG Immigration Law Firm)

  • Mercy Medical and American Airlines

  • Bee Caves Pediatrics

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities

  • The Caribbean Children Foundation (TCCF)

2016 Volunteers

2016 Volunteer Surgeons:

  • Matthew Geck, MD (Spine Surgeon), Seton Spine and Scoliosis Center in Austin, Texas

  • Laurence Mermelstein, MD (Orthopedic Surgeon), Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C. in Commack, New York

  • Ryan Murdock, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon), Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics in Austin, Texas

  • Alec Stall, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon), Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Texas

2016 Other Trip & SpineHope Volunteers:

  • Brandon Black, Medtronic, Inc. – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip & U.S. Hub Program Volunteer

  • Jon Block, Ion Intraoperative Neurophysiology – SpineHope Ambassador & Conference Presenter/Educator

  • Mae Caime, Long Island Spine Specialists – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip Volunteer

  • Kathy Cantilo – Special Events Coordinator & SpineHope Ambassador 

  • Alistair Deakin, KaleidaCare – SpineHope Ambassador

  • Ann Elkin, Ph.D.,Clinical Psychologist – SpineHope Ambassador

  • Bridges Gordy, Biotronic NeuroNetwork – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip & U.S. Hub Program Volunteer

  • Jorge Guerrero, MD, Anesthesiologist at Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip Volunteer

  • Curtis Jackson, Medtronic, Inc. – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip & U.S. Hub Program Volunteer

  • Kim King , Rackspace – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip Volunteer

  • Bari-Sue Mermelstein, MD, Peace Love Pets Veterinary Care – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip Volunteer

  • Mike Murphy, Medtronic, Inc. – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip Volunteer

  • Justin Silverstein, MD, Neuro Protective Solutions – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip Volunteer

  • Kristopher Stillwell, PA, – 2016 Costa Rica Medical Mission Trip Volunteer

  • Colleen Turner, CT Marketing Solutions, Inc. – Assistance with locating medical products and supplies donations for SpineHope medical mission trips.

  • Sarah Wilson, University Student/post-baccalaureate studies at The University of Texas at Austin – Volunteer Coordinator, Event Coordinator Assistant & SpineHope Ambassador

2016 Benefit, Event & Fundraiser Volunteers

  • Shaidri Alrich, GoDance

  • Berenice Bonilla

  • Mae Caime, Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

  • Kathy Cantilo

  • Rebecca Cheek

  • Alistair Deakin, KaleidaCare

  • Houston Elrod

  • Yenei Estrada

  • Keely Floyd, SentryNeuro

  • Kristen Garner

  • Anand Immaneni, SentryNeuro

  • Dallas Jahn

  • Emily Kegans, SentryNeuro

  • Ali Morkas, SentryNeuro

  • Joseph Reeves, KaleidaCare

  • David Scott, KXAN Austin

  • Sarah Wilson

2016 Volunteer Organizations

  • Biotronic NeuroNetwork/NuVasive

  • Ion Intraoperative Neurophysiology

  • Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

  • Neuro Protective Solutions

  • MEDITEK

  • Medtronic, Inc.

  • SentryNeuro

2015 Volunteers

2015 Other Trip & SpineHope Volunteers:

  • Brandon Black (Medtronic) – 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip, Equipment Representative

  • Jon Block (Surgical Neurophysiologist for Ion Intraoperative Neurophysiology) – SpineHope Ambassador

  • Mae Caime & Team (Executive Director at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.) – Coordinated, executed and brought both sponsors, donors, contributors and attendees to the 2015 NY Walking on Sunshine Benefit

  • Kathy Cantilo – 2015 SpineHope Reception Host & SpineHope Ambassador 

  • Henry “Culley” M. Hughes II, CNIM – 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip, Neuromonitoring Tech

  • Ann Elkin, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychologist) – SpineHope Ambassador

  • Curtis Jackson (District Sales Manager/Austin at Medtronic)  – 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip, Equipment Representative

  • Kimberley King – 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip, Onsite Coordinator & Translator

  • Maricela Soberanes, CRNA – 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip, OR Support & Medical Translator

  • Colleen Turner (Independent Medical Marketing Professional for CT Marketing Solutions, Inc.) – Assistance with locating medical products and supplies donations for SpineHope medical mission trips.

  • Mike Urban (Biotronic) – 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip, Neuromonitoring Representative

  • Sarah Wilson (University Student/post-baccalaureate studies at The University of Texas at Austin) – Volunteer Coordinator, Event Coordinator Assistant & SpineHope Ambassador

  • Jordan Workman (DePuy Synthes) – 2015 Costa Rica Mission Trip, Onsite Coordinator & Translator

2015 Volunteer Surgeons:

  • Matthew Geck, MD (Spine Surgeon)

  • Laurence Mermelstein, MD (Orthopedic Surgeon)

  • Ryan Murdock, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon)

  • Alec Stall, MD (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon)

2015 Volunteer Organizations

  • Biotronic NeuroNetwork

  • Ion Intraoperative Neurophysiology

  • Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

  • Medtronic, Inc.

2014 Volunteers

2014 Volunteer Surgeons:

  • Matthew Geck, MD (Spine Surgeon)

  • Ajeya Joshi, MD (Surgeon)

  • Sassan Keshavarzi, MD (Neuro-Surgeon)

2014 Other Trip & SpineHope Volunteers:

  • Connie Abril

  • Brandon Black (Medtronic)

  • Jon Block (Ion Intraoperative Neurophysiology)

  • Mary Emerson, RN

  • Aaron Garza (Globus)

  • Jason Glynn (Globus)

  • Wynn “Bridges” Gordy

  • Henry “Culley” M. Hughes II, CNIM (Biotronic)

  • Curtis Jackson (Medtronic)

  • Kim Helman King (Biotronic)

  • Chris Naylor, CNIM

  • Sarah Wilson

  • Jordan Workman (DePuy Synthes)