The University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Neurological Surgery welcomed two visiting neurosurgeons from Paraguay, Dr. José Kuzli and Dr. Diego Servían, as part of its expanding collaboration with the Neurosurgery and Neurology Institute of Solidarity Bridge, a U.S.-based nonprofit that builds collaborative partnerships with local medical leaders in South America to strengthen surgical capacity and improve health outcomes for vulnerable patients. The visit included tours of UW-Madison’s neurosurgical labs and discussions with faculty, residents, and long-time partners, reinforcing the commitment to advancing neurosurgical education in Paraguay and Bolivia.

This visit marked a key milestone in a formal training initiative launched by UW–Madison and Solidarity Bridge in December 2022. The partnership aims to bridge gaps in neurosurgical training by offering a progressive, multi-stage program for neurosurgery residents of Bolivia and Paraguay.

To date, over 20 UW-Madison neurosurgery faculty have presented lectures through the virtual residency program; and 9 faculty and residents have traveled with Solidarity Bridge to Paraguay and Bolivia to lead in-person trainings and provide mentored surgeries.

Building a Collaborative Model of Neurosurgical Training

Dr. Dempsey instructing residents during first neurosurgical bootcamp in Bolivia in 2015

The collaboration began with joint mission work in Bolivia, where UW Chairman of Neurological Surgery faculty Dr. Robert Dempsey, helped to introduce the Society of Neurological Surgery neurosurgical bootcamp model alongside Solidarity Bridge in 2015 and 2018. These early engagements laid the foundation for a broader collaboration with the Bolivian and Paraguayan Neurosurgical Societies.

In December 2022, UW–Madison and Solidarity Bridge formally launched a bi-monthly virtual lecture series, led by UW faculty and alumni, including Dr. Bermans Iskandar, Dr. Nirav Patel, and Dr. Carolina Sandoval Garcia. These sessions formed the first stage of a comprehensive training model, offering advanced neurosurgical education to residents and early-career neurosurgeons in the region.

Key developments in Bolivia and Paraguay since include:

Certificates for residents that completed the neurosurgical bootcamp in 2015

● In-person workshops and surgical trainings, covering AVMs, spinal surgery, pediatric neuroendoscopy, pediatric epilepsy, and shunt management.

● Observerships at UW–Madison, with Paraguayan and Bolivian residents completing 1–3 month clinical immersion experiences.

● Microsurgery lab development, including equipment donations and hands-on training, led by UW faculty including Dr. Abdullah Keles and Dr. Patel.

Dr. Dempsey shares about the collaboration saying, “our goal... has been to create self-sustaining programs in neurosurgery... based on bi-directional learning. We have so much to learn from our colleagues worldwide.”

Supporting Advanced Pediatric Neurosurgery

The collaboration has also focused on developing pediatric neurosurgical capabilities. UW faculty including Dr. Raheel Ahmed, Dr. David Hsu, and Dr. Bermans Iskandar are collaborating with local neurology and neurosurgery teams in Bolivia and Paraguay to plan complex pediatric epilepsy surgeries, beginning with patient case discussions held virtually.

Touring facilities at the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

In June, UW faculty will travel to Paraguay to co-lead a pediatric neuroendoscopy course, following a successful implementation in Bolivia in 2024. These trainings not only elevate surgical capacity but also foster local leadership in complex cases.

In November, Dr. Raheel and Dr. Hsu from UW–Madison will lead a pediatric epilepsy medical mission, offering surgical training to teams at the Children’s Hospital in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Now in its third year, this collaborative effort continues to build local expertise in pediatric epilepsy surgery, with the long-term goal of establishing independent “Centers of Excellence” that can serve as training models for other surgeons and hospitals across the country.

Looking Ahead

The UW–Madison–Solidarity Bridge neurosurgical partnership is now entering a mentorship-focused phase. UW faculty continue to guide residents through advanced surgical techniques, case consultations, and professional development.

As part of this next stage, residents who attend at least 70% of virtual lectures and demonstrate English proficiency are eligible to apply for observerships at UW–Madison. The first two Bolivian recipients, Dr. Ivonne Perez and Dr. Gabriela Contreras, completed their observerships in late 2024 and early 2025. UW-Madison will continue to select two residents per year for this opportunity.

Later this year, UW–Madison faculty will also co-lead a microsurgery training program in Bolivia. Residents participating in the course will receive microscopes to help establish practice labs at their home institutions—building local capacity through hands-on and ongoing practice.

"I believe this model is replicable," said UW–Madison alum and long-time mentor with Solidarity Bridge, Dr. Nirav Patel, at the recent Mass General Brigham Global Neurosurgery Symposium. He emphasized that this type of partnership stands as an exemplary model that could be adapted in other countries.

The April 28 visit reaffirmed this shared vision between UW–Madison and Solidarity Bridge, laying the groundwork for future stages of the collaboration.

About the Department of Neurological Surgery, UW–Madison
The Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to advancing the science and practice of neurosurgery through education, research, and service.

About Solidarity Bridge
Solidarity Bridge is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities in Bolivia and Paraguay to expand access to essential surgical care and to train local medical professionals in advanced techniques and technologies. Rooted in Catholic social teaching, Solidarity Bridge welcomes all regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, ability, or age. Learn more about their Neurosurgery & Neurology Institute at TheNeuroInstitute.org.

Paraguayan Neurosurgeons Visit UW–Madison, Strengthening Global Neurosurgical Training Partnership