Spring 2024 NFS Newsletter


Spring 2024 NSF Newsletter (View PDF)

April 2024 Volunteer Trips to TUTH

We are thrilled to report on another TWO successful Nepal Spine Foundation visits to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, April 7-12, led by Dr. Farrokh Farrokhi, and April 15-20, led by Dr. Rick Chua.

Dr. Farrokhi was accompanied by Dr. Andrew Manista from Olympia Orthopedic Associates and Dr. Gianna Fote and Dr. Alexander Himstead, Neurosurgery Residents at University of California, Irvine. Dr. Chua was accompanied by Drs. Tiffany Perry and Ciara Harraher from Cedars Sinai Hospital and Stanford University Santa Cruz, respectively. The visiting neurosurgeons collaborated with the Neurosurgeon faculty and residents during Morning Rounds, OPD clinic visits, and in the operating room. Several operative cases were observed including a recurrent CP angle tumor performed by Dr. Gopal Sedain and Dr. Dipendra Shrestha, and a syringo-subarachnoid shunt by Dr. Sushil Shilpakar. In addition, the US surgeons assisted Dr. Pradhanang with a minimally invasive lumbar discectomy and a thoracic intradural meningioma.

Three doctors in surgery
Two people in from of neurosurgery sign
Trio in front of neurosurgery sign
Doctor looking at x-rays

As always, the collaboration, teaching and learning were spectacular. The US surgeons were able to do a little sightseeing including visiting Swayambhu Monkey Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Thamel, and Bhaktapur Durbur Square. The trip ended with dinner including the members of the NSF Inaugural Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp.

NSF Fundraising Trek to Everest Basecamp, April 20-May 4, 2024

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the first ever NSF fundraising trek to Everest Basecamp! A huge thank you to our board member, collaborator, and trekking partner, Jiban Ghimire with Shangri-La Nepal Trek. Our 2024 trekkers included Ciara Harraher, Geoffrey Andrews, Philip Scourfield, Thomas Steffen, Mike Maxwell, Alex Nielsen, and William Ganz. The trekkers gathered in Kathmandu, Nepal at the Yak and Yeti Hotel to meet with Jiban and Dr. Richard Wohns in order to complete a pre-trek discussion about prevention of altitude sickness and other health related issues, plus perform a gear and pack check. The trekkers then joined Dr. Wohns, the faculty, residents, and Jiban Ghimire in the Neurosurgery Department at Teaching Hospital. Amit, Sushil and Richard provided a tour of the hospital. Jiban arranged sightseeing around Kathmandu prior to departing for their trek.

Pre Trek Dinner
Trek Group Hospital Visit
Trek Group in front of Gold Lettering
Trek Group in front of Local Buildings

On April 20, the trekkers departed Kathmandu by plane to Lukla, where they began their trek to Phakding.

After that, they proceeded onto Namche Bazar, Khumjung, and Debuche, where they visited Tengboche Monastery. This included a day or so of acclimatization.

Man Sits on Rock Near Everest
Group photo with banner
Man climbing steps
Group at pub

There they proceeded on to Dingboche, Lobucheamd then to Everest Base Camp by day 10. After this, they trekked to Ghorekshep then climbed Kalapathar for a sunrise view of Mt. Everest.  After they returned to Ghorekshep, the trekkers who wished to depart by helicopter back to Kathmandu did so. The remainder of the trekking team proceeded back down to Lukla to fly out to Kathmandu a few days later.

Trio in front of moutain
Lady with banner in front of mountain
Group with NSF banner
Panoramic view of base camp with mountains

Congratulations to Ciara, Geoffrey, Philip, Mike, Alex, Thomas and Bill! We are very excited for all of the 2024 trekkers’ success in reaching Everest Base Camp! We are currently in the process of identifying the 2025 spring fundraising trek dates. In the meantime, if you are interested in signing up for the 2025 trek, please reach out to Michi Wohns at michiwohns@gmail.com.

Nepal Spine Foundation Silent Auction

If you would like to donate to the 2024 auction, held at the Annual Mazama Spine Summit, June 28-30, please reach out to Michi Wohns, michiwohns@gmail.com. To attend the Summit, please visit the meeting website: MazamaSpineSummit.org.

Upcoming Volunteer Trips & Events

  • June 28-30, 2024: NSF Silent Auction at the 20th Annual Mazama Spine Summit, Winthrop, WA
  • November 4-8, 2024: Spine Week at TUTH, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • TBD 2025 Spring NSF Fundraising Trek
  • We are hoping that Dr. Dipendra’s visa will be approved for a 2024 NSF fellowship in the US!