For children with serious spinal conditions, access to specialized surgery can change the course of a lifetime. Through its partnership with the Carolyn Jane Foundation, CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya is expanding access to pediatric spine care by providing advanced equipment, specialized implants, and training for surgeons.
The partnership includes an East African Spine Fellowship designed to train surgeons to diagnose and treat complex spinal conditions. CURE Kenya’s Dr. Philemon Ogeto Nyambati became the fellowship’s first graduate and now serves as a Pediatric Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon at the hospital.
“At CURE, the greatest aspect that I’ve actually found is, first, growing in Christ. And with that, spreading the message of love through service or surgery. The fellowship has given us an opportunity to build specialized expertise in spine care here in Kenya,” reports Dr. Philemon Ogeto Nyambati
When Surgery Becomes Necessary
Not every spinal condition requires surgery. Doctors may first consider observation, therapy, bracing, or other conservative treatments. But when these approaches fail to control a progressing deformity, corrective surgery can become necessary to protect a child’s function and quality of life.
Dr. Joseph Theuri Macharia, CURE Kenya’s Medical Director, has spent decades developing orthopedic surgical training in Kenya and overseeing programs that prepare surgeons to serve children across the region.
The Beginning of An Era
In July 2024, CURE Kenya performed its first O-arm-assisted spine surgery. The technology supported surgeons with detailed imaging during this complex procedure.
Generosity Born From Necessity
Dr. S. Craig Humphreys, founder of the Carolyn Jane Foundation, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship-trained in spine surgery, with experience in research and spinal surgical technology from Kenai Spine, Soldotna, Alaska. In 2024, Medtronic and CURE volunteer spine surgeon, Dr. Craig S. Humphreys, arranged the donation of an O-arm and StealthStation S8 surgical navigation system to the hospital. The O-arm is the only operational O-arm in all of Kenya.
It has allowed CURE Kenya to perform more complex, life-changing surgeries for more kids!
“We are very focused on sustainable care. This project aligns specialized surgical training, skilled local providers, acute need, and the generosity of our community members who support Carolyn Jane,” says Dr. Craig Humphreys
Complex Care Made Accessible
Training local surgeons means children can receive complex spine care closer to home, while the knowledge and skills remain here to benefit future generations. A spine fellowship program is an accredited program that accepts orthopedic or neurosurgical residents for a two-year spine training program that includes surgical and non-surgical spine care, research, and the development of innovative thinking, with an emphasis on the specific needs of Africa.
“This has been maturing, and part of this plan includes housing and education. During that time, CURE has grown tremendously, and our visiting team has felt more and more like we are part of the CURE family,” reflects Dr. Philemon Ogeto Nyambati.
100 Surgeries Milestone
On the 15th of September 2026, the spine team reached the milestone of having performed 100 surgeries, while maintaining an average two-hour turnaround between cases. More importantly, each surgery strengthened local expertise and gave another child an opportunity for improved movement, function, and confidence. Sixteen-year-old Ian was CURE Kenya’s 100th Spine Patient! “I prayed every night and ask God to help me get better, so I can study, play soccer, and do the things I used to do comfortably,” Ian says.
Ian loves playing soccer, and he dreams of becoming a doctor when he grows up. But as he entered adolescence, his family began to notice changes in his body that they had never seen before. At 13, Ian joined a boarding school. When he returned home for the holidays, his dad, Julius, noticed that Ian was walking differently and that his back appeared to be curving. “I noticed his back was protruding slightly and asked him whether he was in pain. It really came as a big shock, as we had not seen such a thing before,” Julius shared.
For the next year, Ian’s family stayed home as they considered what to do. They were also concerned about the cost of seeking treatment and needed time to raise funds. “We feared it would be an emergency and had to raise funds before considering going to the hospital,” Julius explained. After a year, Ian’s parents were able to take him to a local hospital, where an X-ray was performed. The family was then referred to CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya for specialized care. Thanks to the O-arm imaging and neuro-navigation equipment from the Carolyn Jane Foundation, CURE’s Dr. Nyambati and Dr. Williams successfully performed an intricate six-hour spine surgery!
A Growing Legacy
“When we train surgeons here, we are not just preparing someone to perform an operation. We are building a future where more children with spinal conditions can receive specialized care in Kenya and across the region,” Dr. Philemon Ogeto Nyambati, Pediatric Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon, CURE Kenya
“Serving alongside Dr. Craig Humphreys and the partnership with the Carolyn Jane Foundation since 2015 has elevated Kenya’s spine specialty services to children in desperate need of care. We look forward to reaching even more children with the addition of the new training program,” comments Dr. Theuri.
Through the partnership, CURE Kenya and the Carolyn Jane Foundation are investing not only in children receiving care today, but also in the surgeons, technology, and systems needed to serve generations to come. To partner with CURE on such endeavors, please visit us here!
