In our second episode, we sit down with Dr. Lee Park to talk about the importance of unity, shared purpose, and collaboration in global neurosurgery. Dr. Park reflects on how a common mission brings people together, and why the field needs a renewed compass rooted in teamwork and collective execution. He discusses his motivation to lead, the value of trying even in the face of failure, and the deep connections formed when we believe in each other’s potential.

Adressing neurosurgery in low-and middle-income countries

In our first episode, we sit down with Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, world-renowned neurosurgeon, author, researcher, and global health leader. Dr. Q shares how failure, resilience, and purpose continue to shape his mission.

Kicking off our Women in Neurosurgery series with an extraordinary guest: Dr. Claire Karekezi, 🇷🇼Rwanda's first female neurosurgeon. From navigating a male-dominated field to establishing a neurosurgery department from scratch, Dr. Karekezi’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience and purpose. Join us as she shares her story, her vision for global neurosurgery, and her commitment to expanding healthcare in Africa.

Don't miss this inspiring tail! 🎙️🧠

Join our host, Luca, broadcasting live from the Mayo Clinic in Florida, as he sits down with Dr Juan Pablo Navarro Garcia de Llano, Regional Director of Latin-American mission:brain chapters and neurosurgery research fellow in Dr. Quinones’ Department.

As one of the chapter program’s pioneers, JP navigates us through its roots and unforeseen meteoric expansion, which now sees the Foundation spread throughout 80 countries across 4 continents, much like a global network of neurons.

JP and Luca recount the emergence of unlikely friendships, and the execution of international projects once deemed unattainable, such as the mission:brain Harvard Hackathon, the Suturing Mission, championed by the Humanitas chapter in Italy, and upcoming entirely student-led mission trips, demonstrating the feasibility of impactful initiatives even within the constraints of limited budgets.

Their conversation explores the implications of empowering medical students, positioning them as integral components within the healthcare ecosystem. JP candidly shares his journey from being a medical student in Guadalajara to his current position, underlining the challenges, sacrifices, and tenacious passion that characterize the path of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) towards realizing their dream of becoming a neurosurgeon in the US.

Through an exploration of the mission:brain Foundation's work and its determination to improve neurosurgical care and education worldwide, this episode serves as a testament to the limitless power of international cooperation and the surprising outcomes it yields.

A must-listen for anyone captivated by the intersection of global health, charity work and transformative innovation.

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Dive into the mind of renowned vascular neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Lawton, as he shares his invaluable insights on the ever-evolving world of neurosurgery, the role of AI, and the crucial importance of preserving traditional surgical techniques. In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Lawton offers a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and medicine, as well as the artistry behind the scalpel. Don't miss this chance to get up close and personal with a true pioneer in the field!

Dr Michael T. Lawton is president and CEO of the Barrow Neurological Institute and chairman of its neurosurgery department, as well as co-founder with Dr. Quinones of the Mission Brain Foundation. His neurosurgical expertise is mainly centered on cerebrovascular disorders and skull-based tumors.

He agreed to participate in another podcast in the coming weeks to further discuss Mission Brain and his personal experiences in the field. Stay tuned for part 2!

CHECK OUT DR LAWTON'S SEVEN SERIES: ⁠https://barrowneuro.brightcovegallery.com/seven-series

Donate to the Foundation: https://www.missionbrain.org/donate-podcast.html

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Taking place on March 24-26 2023, the mission:brain Hackathon is a virtual multidisciplinary and multinational 3-day event to tackle a real-world challenge in global neurosurgery. Participants will join a virtual team and construct a real-world solution to one of two neurosurgical cases based on patient experiences receiving care in low and middle-income countries. These solutions can address policy, surgical techniques, funding, supply chain, database, medical devices, etc.