Upon last fall’s gift confirmation from The Mustique Charitable Foundation, World Pediatric Project sprung into action to schedule a first time, second scoliosis/ spine repair team within a year to St. Vincent through the Walking Tall program to further address the significant need and waiting list of children and teenagers afflicted with scoliosis. Given the procedure complexity, surgical expertise needed, and cost of the hardware implants, without assistance from World Pediatric Project and the generous support of The Mustique Charitable Foundation and the spine hardware vendor, in this case, Medtronic, few of these children would have a chance for relief of this progressively debilitating condition. The toll of untreated scoliosis is all encompassing, from sometimes dire medical consequences to the lungs and other vital organs of the body, to the social and emotional effects of appearance and inability to participate normally in physical activities.

An unforeseen additional “gift” from The Mustique Charitable Foundation was the opportunity to invite the involvement of a new WPP spine team. Lead surgeon, Dr. Steven Hwang and his team from Shriners Hospital for Children– Philadelphia quickly impressed the WPP team on the ground in St. Vincent and the staff at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in their skill, efficiency, and overall joy they exhibited to be working with WPP in St. Vincent. By all involved, including Dr. Hwang’s enthusiasm to continue he and his team’s involvement for future surgery missions to St. Vincent, World Pediatric Project is so pleased to have gained another outstanding addition to our ranks of pediatric specialist surgery teams!