October 18-25, 2026Mission details

Managua Outreach Mission

Deploying a highly specialized team of pediatric spine surgeons, clinical staff, and support volunteers to treat complex spinal deformities at Dr. Fernando Vélez Paiz Hospital in Managua.

Support Mission Apply to Volunteer

The community

Addressing severe deformities where care is out of reach.

In Nicaragua, families travel across the country for pediatric spine care that is nearly impossible to access at home. Children with severe deformities wait on long lists while pain, stigma, and lost school years stack up. Without visiting specialist teams and local partners working as one program, many of these surgeries simply do not happen.

During this 8-day mission, our volunteer team works alongside host spine surgeon Dr. Zeyra del Carmen Lopez Aguilar and the Dr. Fernando Vélez Paiz Hospital team to deliver charity surgery and post-op care, and to build local skill so Nicaraguan clinicians can carry more of this work forward year after year.

Apply to Join Team About the Nicaragua program

Mission Profile

LocationDr. Fernando Vélez Paiz Hospital, Managua

DatesOctober 18-25, 2026

Program directorDr. Kenneth Illingworth (Cedars-Sinai)

Host spine surgeonDr. Zeyra del Carmen Lopez Aguilar

Daily schedule

A week of purpose. What to expect on the ground.

Global Outreach trips typically run 7-10 days and include clinic evaluation days plus a focused surgical block.

Clinic days

Evaluations

Children are examined and prioritized, with SpineHope and local partners working as one team.

Surgical block

Surgery

Surgeons, anesthesia, instruments, implants, hospital time, and recovery for children who otherwise would never reach specialized care.

Follow-up

Aftercare

Exams, reconnection with prior patients, and the aftercare that protects every outcome.

Throughout

Teaching

Side-by-side teaching with Managua partners, and investments like equipment training, so the program deepens between missions.

Team roles

Surgical & Support Openings

We review credentials and availability, then follow up with a short conversation and potential trip matches.

We prioritize board-certified attendings for primary surgical roles.
Supervised fellows and residents add real value.
Non-medical professionals are welcome in operational and support roles.

Pediatric Spine SurgeonBoard-certified attending, primary surgical roleClinical
Anesthesiologist (Spine/Peds)Pediatric and spine anesthesiaClinical
OR Scrub & Circulating NurseOperating room and recovery nursingClinical
IONM Neuromonitoring TechIntraoperative neuromonitoringClinical
Imaging & Physical TherapyPre-op imaging and post-op rehabilitationClinical
On-Ground Logistics & TranslatorsSpanish/English translation and patient coordinationOperational

Logistics

What SpineHope coordinates vs. what volunteers handle

Travel, lodging, and most on-ground logistics are coordinated by SpineHope, so volunteers can focus on patient care.

Flight & Travel

As funds allow, we cover flights for non-surgeon volunteers. We appreciate anyone who can support any portion of their own travel costs when possible.

Accommodation

Lodging and most on-ground logistics are coordinated by SpineHope.

On the Ground

We also need volunteers for translation (Spanish/English), on-site logistics, and patient coordination.

Credentials

Every clinical volunteer goes through a simple intake: credentials, availability, and a short conversation so we can match the right people to the right trips.

Outreach histories