Leading U.S. Institutions Convene in Chicago to Advance a New Model for Global Neuro Care

CHICAGO - April 25, 2026 - Solidarity Bridge's Neurosurgery and Neurology Institute (NNI) is convening leading neuro teams from across the United States-including the University of Colorado, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stanford, University of Washington, and Mass General Brigham-and the international organization G4 Alliance, for a first-of-its-kind symposium focused on advancing a more integrative model of global neurosurgical care.
Moving beyond traditional approaches that center primarily on surgical training and one-off mission trips, the gathering highlighted an integrative strategy that develops full neuro care systems-bringing together neurosurgeons, neuro anesthesiologists, neurocritical care teams, and rehabilitation specialists to build sustainable, locally led capacity. The model has already been implemented with measurable success in Bolivia and Paraguay and is now being refined into a scalable framework for broader global application.
Many of the institutions represented at the symposium have spent the past seven years working alongside Solidarity Bridge to develop and operationalize this model through long-term partnerships in Bolivia and Paraguay. One of the major initiatives of this collaboration has been on strengthening neurotrauma systems-one of the most urgent and underserved areas of global health-by building coordinated care pathways from emergency response through surgery, intensive care, and rehabilitation.
Insights from this work underscore that improving neurosurgical outcomes requires far more than increasing the number of trained surgeons. In partner hospitals, teams have worked to enhance infrastructure, expand access to critical equipment, train multidisciplinary providers, and establish protocols that enable continuity of care. These efforts have contributed to meaningful improvements in patient outcomes while also reinforcing local leadership and institutional partnership.
"The progress we've seen in Bolivia and Paraguay demonstrates what's possible when care is approached as a system rather than a single intervention," said NNI President Dr. Richard Moser. "This symposium is about taking those lessons and building a pathway to scale."
Participants at this convening will reflect on applying this field-tested model across diverse global contexts. Discussions include strategies for aligning academic institutions, funders, and global health organizations around long-term system-building efforts, as well as identifying key components necessary for sustainable implementation.
The symposium represents a significant step toward redefining how global neurosurgical care is delivered-shifting from short-term interventions to enduring partnerships that strengthen entire health systems and expand access to life-saving care.

Solidarity Bridge
1703 Darrow Ave, Ste. 1
Evanston, IL 60201
www.solidaritybridge.org

Press Contact:
Allison Havens
Communications Manager
allison@solidaritybridge.org
773-690-0597

Solidarity Bridge is a nonprofit organization that partners with medical communities in Bolivia and Paraguay to increase access to safe, affordable surgery and other healthcare. Rooted in the Catholic value of social justice, Solidarity Bridge bridges gaps in surgical access through medical equipping, surgical training, direct patient care, and local partnership. Learn more at solidaritybridge.org.

This release was published on openPR.