U.S. Hub Program

Millions of children worldwide suffer from debilitating spine malformations and other complex spine conditions. For a significant number of children who live in disadvantaged communities and under-resourced countries, access to quality spine care is limited or non-existent. To address this widespread problem, SpineHope launched the U.S. Hub Program.

Since 2014, this program has focused on bringing children with complex spine conditions to locations in the United States (6-8 week stay), for spine care at no cost to them. The primary goal of this U.S.-based program is to provide spine surgery and treatment to children who would not likely receive corrective surgery due to the cost of the procedure(s) or have limited/no access to quality spine care in their communities. This program is a collaborative effort and would not be possible without the support of generous donors, child sponsors, volunteers, and our critical partnerships with 30+ healthcare organizations that donate medical services, patient care, equipment, product, and supplies.

This program is also made possible due to the partnership and volunteer services we receive from other generous volunteers and healthcare service organizations, including:

Alliance Spine
ARA Diagnostic Imaging
Assure Neuromonitoring

Ascension Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas

ATEC Spine, Inc.
Austin Anesthesia Group
Austin Children’s Chest Association
Austin Spine
Bee Caves Pediatrics
Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedics (CTPO)
Children’s Cardiology Associates
Internal Med Solutions/Dr. Sarah Smiley’s Group
Medtronic Spine USA
Mercy Medical Angels (American Airlines Miles for Kids Program)
North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA)

NuVasive Spine Foundation/NuVasive, Inc.
NuRepublic
Pediatric Critical Care Associates
Pediatric Specialty Services
Real Time Neuromonitoring Associates (RTNA)
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Sentry Neuromonitoring/Assure Neuromonitoring
Seton Children’s Ear Nose & Throat Center
Seton UT/Southwestern University Physicians Group
‘Specially for Children, Children’s Hospital Subspecialists of Central Texas
Texas Spine and Scoliosis
Thomas Law Firm and Jessy Faulkner
US Anesthesia Partners (Formally Capital Anesthesiology Association (CAA)

Bringing children to the United States for surgery is a challenge and requires considerable funding even over and above all the volunteer medical staff and donated equipment and facilities.

The patient selected and one parent/guardian arrive in the United States a week prior to surgery for medical appointments, imaging, and other pre-surgical clearance examinations. Once the surgery is performed, they are required to remain 4-6 weeks for initial recovery and so their surgeon can monitor their progress and ensure there is no infection or post-op complications. One month after surgery, the patient will be seen by their surgeon for clearance to return back home.

To help the family, SpineHope is financially responsible for all non-donated medical expenses, travel, lodging, transportation, visa applications, and food. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on the donations we receive from generous corporations and individuals who believe in our mission and want to help chil
dren in need. If you are interested sponsoring a future Hub Patient, click the donation button or email us at spineoutreach@gmail.com to see how you can support a future patient.

US Hub Program Application

We are accepting applications for patients between the ages of 2 and 21 for the SpineHope U.S. Hub Program.
For those interested, please complete the following forms and submit all requested imaging and documentation to: spineoutreach@gmail.com

1. APPLICATION IN ENGLISH or APPLICATION IN SPANISH

2. SpineHope pre-screen questions (ENG and SPAN)

APPLICATION IN ENGLISH

APPLICATION IN SPANISH

SpineHope pre-screen questions (ENG and SPAN)