International Neurology Foundation

For more than two decades, Alexandra Cadena has been the heart and soul behind the International Neurology Foundation’s medical mission to Tena, Ecuador.

From the very first mission nearly 20 years ago, Alexandra has returned year after year, generously volunteering her time, energy, and unwavering dedication to ensure that our mission reaches those who need it most. While many see the physicians caring for patients, Alexandra is one of the extraordinary individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all possible.

From coordinating logistics and organizing patient flow to supporting our volunteers and helping local families navigate the mission, her leadership has been instrumental to our success. In recent years, her son has proudly joined her, continuing their family’s tradition of service and compassion by helping with the organization and coordination of the mission.

Because of Alexandra’s commitment, thousands of children and adults living in one of Ecuador’s most underserved regions have been able to receive specialized neurological care that would otherwise be unavailable.

The International Neurology Foundation is deeply grateful for Alexandra’s friendship, loyalty, and more than two decades of selfless service. Her dedication reminds us that humanitarian missions are built not only by physicians, but by extraordinary volunteers whose compassion, generosity, and hard work make every patient encounter possible.

Alexandra, thank you for standing beside us since the very beginning. Your commitment has touched countless lives, inspired generations of volunteers, and helped make our mission a lasting source of hope for the people of Tena.

You are an indispensable part of the International Neurology Foundation family, and we are honored to serve alongside you.

We are deeply honored and privileged to be part of the inauguration of the new satellite campus of the Universidad Central del Ecuador in Santa Cruz, Galápagos. This marks a tremendous milestone for higher education, research, and healthcare in one of the world’s most unique regions.

The International Neurology Foundation and Espinosa Neuroscience Institute are proud to have contributed to helping make this vision a reality. Our journey began nearly eight years ago through collaborative dementia research in the Galápagos, and has continued with our ongoing neurological medical missions, where we have provided specialized patient care, trained local healthcare professionals in neuroscience, and donated essential equipment, including an EEG machine, to strengthen local neurological services.

This new university campus represents hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for education, scientific discovery, and healthcare in the Galápagos. We are grateful to all of our partners who have shared this vision and worked tirelessly to make it possible.

Together, we continue to build bridges through education, research, and compassionate care—improving lives today while inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this historic achievement. The future of the Galápagos has never looked brighter.

Patricio Sebastian Espinosa
International Neurology Foundation
Espinosa Neuroscience Institute
Catedra Neurociencias
Universidad Central Del Ecuador

Another successful medical mission in Tena, Ecuador! 🇪🇨🧠

As we conclude another incredible mission, our hearts are filled with gratitude. Over the past several days, our dedicated team of volunteers had the privilege of providing neurological care to hundreds of adults and children living in the Ecuadorian rainforest—many of whom have little or no access to specialized neurological services.

Together, we performed neurological consultations, EEGs, reviewed countless brain CT scans, and worked side by side with local physicians and healthcare professionals to help close the neurological treatment gap in this underserved region.

This mission would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our volunteers, the support of Hospital José María Velasco Ibarra, our local partners, and the generosity of everyone who believes in our mission.

For nearly two decades, the International Neurology Foundation has returned to Tena with one goal: bringing hope, knowledge, and specialized neurological care to those who need it most. Every patient we meet reminds us why this work matters.

Thank you to everyone who made this mission another great success. We are already looking forward to returning next year and continuing this journey together.

Changing lives, one patient at a time.


Patricio Sebastian Espinosa
International Neurology Foundation

Espinosa Neuroscience Institute

For more than two decades, Dr. Kevin Shapiro has devoted his time, expertise, and heart to one of the most underserved populations in the world—children with neurological disorders in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Every year, Dr. Shapiro volunteers with the International Neurology Foundation, traveling to Tena, Ecuador, where access to specialized neurological care is virtually nonexistent. In this region, there are no practicing neurologists and no pediatric neurologists, leaving countless children without the opportunity to receive the expert evaluation and treatment they desperately need.

For many of these children, Dr. Shapiro is the first—and often the only—pediatric neurologist they will ever see. His compassion, knowledge, and unwavering commitment have changed the lives of countless children and their families, bringing hope where there was once uncertainty and access where none previously existed.

Through more than two decades of humanitarian service, Dr. Shapiro has helped the International Neurology Foundation close the neurology treatment gap by providing expert care, educating local healthcare professionals, and ensuring that children with complex neurological conditions receive the dignity and specialized attention they deserve.

His extraordinary dedication reminds us that medicine is more than a profession—it is a calling. It is about serving those most in need, regardless of distance or circumstance, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to receive the neurological care they deserve.

The International Neurology Foundation proudly honors Dr. Kevin Shapiro for his remarkable commitment, generosity, and unwavering service. Your legacy is measured not only in the patients you have treated, but in the hope you have given to thousands of children and families over the past two decades.

Thank you, Dr. Shapiro, for proving that one physician’s compassion can change an entire community.



Patricio Sebastian Espinosa
Espinosa Neuroscience Institute
International Neurology Foundation

What an amazing second day of our medical mission in Tena, Ecuador!

Its an incredible privilege to have Dr. Tim Foster and Dr. Kevin Shapiro, providing neurological care to children and families in the Ecuadorian Amazon—where access to specialized medical care is extremely limited. Working hand in hand with our outstanding local physicians and healthcare professionals, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of so many patients.

Every child we evaluate, every family we help, and every collaboration we build brings us one step closer to improving neurological care in this underserved region.

Thank you to Hospital José María Velasco Ibarra, our local medical colleagues, volunteers, and everyone who makes this mission possible. Together, we are changing lives—one patient at a time. 🇪🇨🧠❤️



Patricio Sebastian Espinosa
Espinosa Neuroscience Institute

18 YEARS
Today marked a wonderful and successful start to our Neurological Medical Mission in Tena, Ecuador!

Our team had the privilege of caring for both adults and children with a wide variety of neurological disorders. On our first day alone, we provided over 100 neurological consultations, performed more than 20 EEGs, and reviewed over 50 head CT scans, helping patients who otherwise have very limited access to specialized neurological care.

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate 18 years of continuous medical missions in the Ecuadorian rainforest. It has been an incredible journey, and we remain committed to bringing compassionate, high-quality neurological care to underserved communities.

A heartfelt thank you to Hospital José María Velasco Ibarra for your outstanding support, hospitality, and partnership. We are also deeply grateful to our volunteers, local healthcare professionals, and everyone who has made this mission possible.

We look forward to the days ahead and to continuing to make a positive impact—one patient at a time.



Patricio Sebastian Espinosa
Espinosa Neuroscience Institute

Innovation in neurology should not stop at the clinic doors.

At Espinosa Neuroscience Institute, we are committed to advancing neurological care through innovation, technology, education, and compassionate patient care.

Through the International Neurology Foundation, we aim to expand that mission beyond borders — bringing neurological education, outreach, humanitarian support, and access to care to underserved communities around the world.

From advanced neuroimaging and cutting-edge neuroscience to global education and international medical collaboration, our vision is simple:

Better brain health for everyone, everywhere.

This is more than medicine.
This is a global neurological movement.

It was a pleasure seeing my friends from Hyperfine (Swoop portable MRI) at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation Philanthropy Gala.

Proud to share that our community was among the first in Florida to adopt this groundbreaking technology. The Swoop Portable MRI has helped transform access to neuroimaging—bringing MRI directly to the point of care and allowing patients to receive faster imaging, quicker diagnoses, and more timely treatment.

This type of innovation is redefining neurological care—improving accessibility, efficiency, and ultimately patient outcomes.

Grateful to be part of a community that continues to support both medical innovation and meaningful philanthropy.


Patricio Sebastian Espinosa