For those that need it.
33 Spine Align, Inc was conceptualized early on when President and Co-Founder, Ryan Normandeau, envisioned a collaboration that would allow the organization to support critical spinal orthopedic care in West Africa. While initially thinking it may require the fundraising and development of a hospital infrastructure - Ryan was able to facilitate and cultivate a partnership with an existing organization, FOCOS Hospital.
FOCOS already had the complete infrastructure in place and a backlog of patients - opening the door for 33 Spine Align to directly fundraise for patient support in Accra, Ghana. During the first mission trip in 2019, 33 Spine Align was able to successfully fundraise and support 8 patient surgeries. Despite COVID-19 headwinds, 33 Spine Align was able to return to Africa in 2022. With the organization's perseverance and continued fundraising efforts, we were able to present FOCOS with a check for $100,000 to fund patient care. We are just getting started.
C. Rory Goodwin is the Director for Spinal Oncology, Surgical Director for the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis and an Assistant Professor at the Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Goodwin attended the University of Florida where he majored in Neurobiological Sciences and Business Administration with minors in Chemistry and Economics.
Dr. Erickson, a passionate spine surgeon, specializes in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions. She provides surgical management for issues like myelopathy, herniated discs, deformity, stenosis, tumors, and trauma. Offering both minimally invasive and traditional techniques, Dr. Erickson aims to provide the best possible care. Additionally, she recently joined 33 Spine Align for our June 2023 mission trip, further exemplifying their commitment to serving the community.
Dr. Jeswani specializes in the surgical management of diseases affecting the brain, skull base, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. Dr. Jeswani is devoted to technical surgical excellence and striving for the best possible outcomes for his patients. He is highly regarded amongst his peer in his thoughtful care of his patients and neurosurgical precision during surgery. He has been named Physician of the Year at Palomar Medical Center two consecutive years in a row.
I am a neurosurgeon with a special interest in treating scoliosis and all other spine conditions, which includes spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis. I also perform surgery on spine tumors and provide general neurosurgery. My passion for medicine was cultivated out of my experiences as a kid growing up in West Africa where access to health care was lacking. I have been blessed with great mentors in neurosurgery (Allan H. Friedman, MD) and orthopaedic spine surgery (Lawrence Lenke, MD, and Keith Bridwell, MD) who have equipped me with phenomenal surgical and clinical skills. More importantly, I take great pride in being able to provide compassionate care to all of my patients. Since every patient is unique in their own special way, I design each treatment to meet that patient's needs to ensure excellent outcomes. I take great joy in being a surgeon as it allows me to give back and help people during their most difficult times.
Have a surplus to donate? Looking for an outreach program? Contact us today to see how you can help.
