On April 25, 2026, Solidarity Bridge’s Neurosurgery and Neurology Institute (NNI) convened partners in Chicago for a groundbreaking symposium focused on strengthening global neurosurgical care through a more integrative approach. Leaders in neurosurgery, neurology, and multidisciplinary neuro care joined from institutions across the United States, alongside partners from Paraguay and Bolivia. Many of these collaborators have spent the past seven years working with Solidarity Bridge to develop a model that moves beyond short-term interventions and focuses on building complete, locally led systems of care.

The US visit of two partner Neurosurgeons from Paraguay in April 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. Over 20 UW-Madison neurosurgery faculty have presented lectures through the virtual residency program

More than 100 patients have undergone gallbladder or hernia surgery so far in 2024 through mobile surgery campaigns to municipal hospitals throughout Bolivia.

Our mission team had the pleasure of visiting one of the sites of our mobile laparoscopic surgery campaigns to see the impact of our partnership in the hospital and the surrounding community.

For 25 years, Solidarity Bridge has provided a way for individuals and entities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and beyond to live out their call to global mission. Our shared commitment—to respond to the gospel call to heal the sick in a spirit of solidarity—remains steadfast.

Dr. Via-Reque’s wholehearted involvement and expertise helped make it possible for Solidarity Bridge to steadily expand its outreach.

Fr. Bob Oldershaw’s generosity of spirit, time, talent, and treasure, along with his inspiring life-long example of living out the virtue of solidarity, make him a consummate honoree for our lifetime achievement award! 

From virtual lectures to hands-on practice, our two day Spinal Surgery Workshop gave more than 25 neurosurgical residents from Bolivia and Paraguay an opportunity to advance their skills.

Daniela has two beautiful children, both born with congenital heart defects. Their symptoms are treatable through surgery, but for her family living on a modest income, the care they needed was beyond their means.

Solidarity Bridge partner Dr. Bianca Becerra, a Bolivian neuro-anesthesiologist committed to improving access to trauma care, named Global Health Fellow at the annual conference of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).  

A decade ago, there was very little access to endoscopic pituitary surgery in Bolivia, regardless of a patient’s economic status. Today, access to these procedures has grown and expanded across the country.

Our latest maritime shipment took just 34 days to deliver 8+ tons of medical equipment and supplies from Springfield, Illinois, to Cochabamba, Bolivia.