Executive summary

The Trail

I am an Argentinean physician with the goal of become a neurosurgery resident in the United States. My connection with Barrow began in 2023, when I completed an observership on Dr. Lawton’s service and attended the Barrow Global Symposium, where Dr. Rosseau delivered her “Moon Shot” speech. That experience shaped my interest in global neurosurgery and I understood that in order to contribute meaningfully to global neurosurgical care, I must first pursue the highest level of clinical training. Over the past three years, I have worked closely with Arnau, Cyrus, and the Barrow Global team on multiple projects.

My year as Barrow Global Scholar was structured to have 3 months of remote work from Argentina, 6 weeks of project planning and clinical observership at Barrow and 5 months of onsite clinical and research activities at KCMC.

Outcomes

My year was focused on three main pillars: research, education, and clinical activities.

1. Research

  • 11 manuscripts published.
  • 4 manuscripts submitted.
  • 7 manuscripts at writing/editing stage.
  • 8 ongoing projects.
  • Barrow-KCMC NeuroICU Rounding Checklist project: grant submission, implementation at KCMC and data collection. Abstract submitted to CNS 2026.
  • 2 grant submissions (Rounding Checklist and EVD project).
  • 5 abstracts accepted to ISGNS.
  • 1 oral presentation. Presented by Dr. Goodluck (PGY1 KCMC).
  • 3 abstracts submitted to ISPN.
  • 4 abstracts submitted to CNS.
  • Led economic model for UIAs clipping vs coiling cost project.
  • Participated in ISGNS and presented two Barrow Global-Boston Declaration pledges.
  • Provided research support to residents at KCMC (2 ongoing projects led by residents).
  • More than 130 patients entered and cleaned in the KCMC neurosurgery registry (RedCap).

2. Education

  • Led Medical Student Research Monthly Meetings at Barrow.
  • Provided lectures on manuscript writing, database creation and poster presentation to KCMC residents.
  • Developed with Cyrus a two day anatomy dissection course.
  • Taught manuscript writing to people from Argentina, US, Paraguay, Greece and Indonesia.
  • Learned Swahili to basic level (my education).

3. Clinical Activities

  • Scrubbed and assisted in 56 cases (21 trauma, 18 pediatric, 7 spine, 6 general, 4 tumor).
  • Performed various intraoperative tasks: skin incision/closure, dura opening/closure, craniotomies, SDH/EDH evacuation.
  • Shadowed residents on call.
  • Q1 home call with Cyrus.
  • Participated in surgical camps from India, Colorado, MOI, Netherlands.
  • Participated in daily ICU rounds, morning report for overnight consults and case discussions.

Figure 1. Presenting Barrow pledges at Boston Declaration

Figure 2. Post anatomy course with residents

Figure 3. Craniotomy with Dr. Sengua Koipapi

Key Take Aways

Next Steps