Community Outreach

The Spine Project

For the last 6 years, Kenyan surgeons, Dr. Richard Ombachi and Dr. Soren Otieno have collaborated with many U.S. surgeons through the Spine Project to help more than 200 patients in critical need of corrective spine surgery.  Their mission is to create a sustainable spine treatment program that will advance the quality of spine care in Kenya.  The Spine Project is the only one of its kind to offer surgery, where indicated for non-trauma related spine issues.  Patients travel in some cases by foot or by bus from all over eastern Africa for the chance to receive a much needed spine deformity operation.  

In 2014, Dr. Oskouian began working with Dr. Ombachi and Dr. Otieno to perform a number of spinal surgeries.  In addition, they have formed a strong partnership to begin offering medical education conferences and hands-on cadaveric surgical trainings to their medical students and staff.  Trainings occur both at Kenyatta National Hospital as well as at the Seattle Science Foundation.

Anatomy Bootcamp -
Sparks Program

The Seattle Science Foundation Sparks Program was created to support Washington students (16-18 yrs.) from underserved, low-income households who are looking to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and health care.  Through the Sparks Program, students are given a unique hands-on opportunity to work alongside Dr. Rod Oskouian and Dr. R. Shane Tubbs, nationally renowned Clinical Anatomist and Editor of Gray’s Anatomy.  From our state-of-the-art bioskills lab, students have an opportunity to perform a number of anatomical dissections, be exposed to a number of professional development opportunities and engage with physicians, researchers and medical students with various backgrounds.  Our ultimate goal is to "spark" their imagination and help them discover what’s possible.