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Guadalajara 2025: Three Days of Healing, Education, and Empowerment
From July 31st to August 2nd, 2025, the Mission:BRAIN Foundation returned to Guadalajara, Mexico—a city that holds deep significance for our organization and continues to inspire our commitment to global neurosurgical collaboration. Over the course of three days, our team, partners, and volunteers came together to perform complex surgeries, share knowledge, and bring hope to patients and their families.
Day 1 – Academic Event & Community Engagement
The trip began with the arrival of Mission:BRAIN President Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa and team members to a warm welcome from local leaders and students. Our first stop was the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG), where students from three local Mission:BRAIN chapters—UDG, Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara, and UAG—hosted a social and Q&A event in collaboration with UAG leadership.
More than 180 students attended, creating a vibrant atmosphere of curiosity, connection, and inspiration. A panel featuring Dr. Víctor García, April Sabangan, and Dr. Santiago Nuñez, alongside Dr. Quiñones, sparked meaningful dialogue on topics ranging from personal journeys into medicine to the future of neurosurgery and artificial intelligence in healthcare.
The evening concluded with a lighthearted social gathering, complete with a game of Jeopardy designed to strengthen friendships and collaboration between the chapters—a reflection of the spirit that defines Mission:BRAIN’s global network.
Day 2 – First Surgical Day & Pediatric Wing Visit
Friday marked the first day of surgeries at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara. Under the leadership of Dr. Santiago Nuñez, our team performed three complex cases:
- Pituitary Adenoma Resection – led by Dr. Nuñez
- Posterior Fossa Tumor Surgery – led by Dr. Carlos Estrella
- Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment – led by Dr. Oscar Ávila
These operations were supported by a team of residents, surgical nurses, and otolaryngology and neuroanesthesiology specialists, including Dr. Carolina Orozco and Dr. Regina R. Arias, whose collaboration was essential to the day’s success.
After nearly eight hours in the operating rooms, the team visited the pediatric wing of Hospital Civil. Volunteers from all three local Mission:BRAIN chapters joined to bring joy, art, and encouragement to young patients. Dressed as superheroes—including Dr. Q as Spider-Man—team members reminded everyone that healing extends far beyond surgical walls.
Day 3 – Second Surgical Day & Leadership Conference
The final surgical day took place at Hospital Puerta de Hierro, a state-of-the-art private hospital. Beginning preparations at 6:00 a.m., the team completed two additional surgeries:
- Adenoma Resection
- Meningioma Removal
These operations were made possible through close collaboration with Dr. Víctor García Navarro and his team, as well as physicians from Hospital Civil who volunteered their time on a day off. Each case carried profound personal meaning—one patient, a young worker, shared his dream of watching soccer again, while another, a devoted father, looked forward to returning to work and supporting his family.
That evening, the mission culminated with Más Allá del Quirófano: Liderazgo que Salva Vidas, a fundraising conference and gala held at the PALCCO venue. The event began with a press conference and was followed by a keynote from Dr. Quiñones, who shared his powerful journey from migrant farmworker to neurosurgeon. His message resonated deeply with the audience of 1,300 attendees, inspiring healthcare professionals, students, and community members alike.
The evening’s cocktail reception provided a space for networking, storytelling, and building support for future Mission:BRAIN initiatives in Latin America. Many attendees pledged contributions toward acquiring vital neurosurgical equipment for Hospital Civil de Guadalajara.
Reflections on the Mission
As Dr. Mariana Itzel Bravo Treviño, LATAM Director and mission organizer, reflected:
“The 2025 GDL Mission Trip left a profound impact on me. It was the first time I accompanied Dr. Q and the team every single day, participating in all the activities from start to finish—and it was truly a transformative experience. We don’t do this work for recognition or fame. We do it for the deeply fulfilling feeling that comes from improving even just one person’s life—and hoping that, from that single act, a chain of empathy will continue to grow.”
Her words capture the heart of our mission: we are not only performing surgeries but also planting seeds for lasting change—by empowering future leaders, strengthening institutions, and inspiring communities to join in the work of Treat. Educate. Empower.
Acknowledgments
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who made this mission possible, including the surgeons, nurses, residents, students, volunteers, and sponsors who gave their time, talent, and resources. Special thanks to Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Hospital Puerta de Hierro, the Mission:BRAIN student chapters, and our dedicated supporters in Guadalajara and beyond.
Together, we proved once again that meaningful change in global healthcare is possible when we work as one.
