Here is what we accomplished thanks to you: World Spine Care's 2019 Report
As another year draws to a close, the World Spine Care Board of Directors wishes to thank our partners, donors, supporters, and volunteers for your incredible support over this past year.
Here are just a few things that World Spine Care has accomplished this year, thanks to the support of so many
Bringing Access to Spine Care to Under-served Communities around the World
World Spine Care’s three registered charities (WSC US, WSC Canada, and WSC Europe) continued to support 6 clinics in 4 countries in 2019 – Botswana, Dominican Republic, Ghana, and India;
The Botswana Program offered three clinical programs including a program in the village of Shoshong, a spine care program at the Mahalapye District Hospital, and a spine care clinic at the Princess Marina Hospital. We are in discussions with the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness regarding the opening of our next clinic;
The Dominican Republic clinic is housed in a not-for-profit rehabilitation clinic - the Patronato - who generously shares its space to ensure that patients in Moca get the spine care they need;
The Ghana Program at Ridge Hospital serves patients from the local community. We look forward to continued discussions from the Government in Ghana regarding the future of the program;
The India Program at MGM Institute of Health Sciences University, Kamothe University Hospital, Navi Mumbai serves no-income and low-income spine patients in MGM's World Spine Care clinic.
Together these clinics were able to provide over 11,000 patient encounters this year to individuals who would have not otherwise received it. This brings the total number of patient encounters to over 47,000 since World Spine Care’s inception.
World Spine Care provided over 11,000 patient encounters this year in its 6 clinics in 4 countries.
Leading the Development of Evidence-Based Spine Care Research
Last year saw the publication of the Global Spine Care Initiative (GSCI), as a special supplement of the European Spine Journal, which included contributions from 68 clinicians and scientists from 24 countries;
These papers present a detailed scientific evaluation of the literature on spinal disorders as well as a complex consensus-based model of care that can be used to establish and scale spine programs in low and middle-income communities.
This year, we have been able to build on these incredible successes, through the generous support of one of our long-time supporters, The Skoll Foundation, which has supported the development of a proposal that would allow us to test out the implementation of the GSCI in three countries;
If the proposal is successful, this new model of care could revolutionize the way that spine care is delivered in under-served communities – and all over the world. Stay tuned for future details on this exciting development.
Building Sustainable Communities and EducatingLocal Health Professionals
WorldSpine Care is an organization run almost exclusively by volunteers with over100 individuals working passionately toward a shared vision. We are incredibly proud of the community we’ve built, and we’ve done it thanks to the continued generosity of our network of friends, colleagues, and others who have a shared vision.
The First WSC India Conference was held in January 2019 and was a great success. Over 170 attendees were in attendance. In addition, 21 of the world’s leading spine care scientists and clinicians from eight countries volunteered their time and expertise to present at the conference. World Spine Care continues to explore opportunities to expand our partnership with MGM University. Stay tuned for exciting news in 2020!
World Spine Care Staff and Volunteers continue to participate in educational seminars and training sessions whenever possible. This year, our Clinical Coordinator in Botswana, Dr. Stefan Eberspaecher participated in training sessions at Princess Marina Hospital, encouraging other front-line providers to collaborate with World Spine Care clinicians for conservative spine care.
This year, with the very generous support of the Bloch Family, WSC launched the Dr. Shannon Bloch Volunteer Grant to offer financial assistance to qualified chiropractors based in North America who wish to volunteer as a Clinical Supervisor at one of the WSC Botswana Clinics and who can demonstrate a financial need, related to student debt. This support will ensure that the best and brightest are able to volunteer at the clinics in Botswana clinic, to provide effective, evidence-based, patient care.
Learn more about the Dr. Shannon Bloch Volunteer Grant here.
Dr. Shannon Bloch treating a patient in Botswana
Join Us!
Do you share our vision: To improve lives in underserved communities through sustainable, integrated, evidence-based, spine care? If so, it is not too late to make your 2019 donation.
