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By: Hannah Givens, CNIM
Regional Director at Comprehensive Neuromonitoring
This July, I had the privilege of traveling to Uganda as part of a global spine mission led by Dr. Isador Lieberman. It was a powerful, purpose-driven week, one that pushed the limits of what’s possible in a short period and reminded all of us why we do this work. With 20 surgeries performed in just a few days, this was the most productive trip Dr. Lieberman has led to date. A true testament to teamwork, preparation, and the commitment of everyone involved.
Our multidisciplinary team was made up of orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, scrub techs, a neuromonitoring technologist, spine reps, and nurses all coming together with a goal: to deliver complex spine care to patients who would otherwise go without. As the IONM technologist on the team, I provided real-time neuromonitoring using a Cascade Pro system, ensuring the safety of each patient’s nervous system throughout their surgery.
This year’s surgical focus was wide-ranging. We treated cases of spinal trauma, tuberculosis (TB), and severe scoliosis. We operated on patients as young as 4 years old and as old as 75 – a reflection of just how deep the need is for spine care across all ages in Uganda. These were not routine cases. Many had been living in significant pain or with visible deformities for years. Several were at risk of permanent paralysis or already paralyzed. With each case, we had one goal: to restore quality of life and function.
What stood out most to me was the collaboration. Our visiting team worked hand in hand with local Ugandan staff including orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, sisters (nurses), scrub techs, and others, sharing knowledge, solving challenges in real time, and building a foundation for sustainable care. While the cases were demanding, there was a sense of unity and drive that kept us going from early morning to late night.
For those of us in the intraoperative neuromonitoring field, this trip reaffirmed the global importance of our work. In high-risk spinal cases like these, neuromonitoring is essential, it provides immediate feedback that guides surgical decision-making and protects neurological function. Even in a limited-resource setting, the standard of care never wavered. There was a young (17y/o) female patient who had fallen from an avocado tree and fractured her cervical spine. After falling she had severe weakness in her upper and lower extremities. After surgery her neurological function improved dramatically and we could see that while running SSEPs/ MEPs in real time. Her quality of life was significantly impacted by the surgery we were able to perform.
At Comprehensive Neuromonitoring, our mission is rooted in improving patient safety and outcomes through expertise and innovation. This trip to Uganda brought that mission to life in the most meaningful way. We didn’t just monitor signals, we helped change lives.
Outside the OR, I had the opportunity to walk through some of the underserved communities of Uganda, a sobering yet transformative experience. Poverty is real and widespread, but so is the strength of the people. The sense of community, resilience, and gratitude we encountered was unlike anything I’ve seen. It gave powerful context to the work we were doing and deepened my sense of purpose.
Coming home was harder than I thought it would be. I left part of my heart in Uganda. In the patients, the team, the red dirt roads, but I came back changed. More grounded. More grateful. More aware of what truly matters. This mission trip reminded me that healing isn’t just about the body. It’s about community. It’s about showing up for people with your whole heart. It’s about risking connection even across continents and allowing yourself to be transformed by it. I am already counting down the days until I can return. Not just to offer what I have, but to continue receiving what Uganda so freely gives: perspective, purpose, and love in the most unexpected places.
If you are interested in supporting future missions like this whether through volunteering, providing resources, or donating equipment we encourage you to reach out. Together we can continue expanding access to safe, effective spine care around the world.
About the Author:
Hannah Givens, CNIM, is a Regional Director at Comprehensive Neuromonitoring with over 13 years of experience in the operating room. She is passionate about patient safety, global healthcare outreach, and using neuromonitoring to improve surgical outcomes.
