IntraNerve Surgical Neurophysiologist Anna Rose joined a pediatric ENT mission in Guatemala and provided facial nerve monitoring for 15+ children in need
At IntraNerve Neuroscience, our work is rooted in precision, preparation, and patient-centered care. But for many on our team, that commitment does not stop when the operating room lights turn off.
That same dedication is why we are so proud to have talented professionals like our Surgical Neurophysiologist, Anna Morusiewicz Rose, on our team. Anna recently participated in a pediatric surgical mission trip to Guatemala in November 2025, organized by Children’s Health Project. We were more than happy to sponsor her mission. Through partnerships with organizations such as Children’s Health Project, our clinicians are able to share their expertise in underserved settings and bring skilled, compassionate care to patients who might otherwise go without.
Over the course of one demanding, tightly coordinated week, Anna joined an international team providing surgical and hearing care to hundreds of children, many of whom had traveled extraordinary distances for what might be their only opportunity to receive treatment.
Her experience reflects the lasting impact of volunteer work, shaping outcomes not only for the children treated, but also for the clinicians who serve alongside them.
What follows is her story, shared in her own words and reflections.
Preparing for Pediatric Surgical Care in a Remote Setting
Anna has always dreamed of participating in a medical mission trip. “I’ve always wanted to do a mission trip. I think it’s nice just go and help out children in need.” When a surgeon she frequently collaborates with in Portland, OR, invited her to join an ENT team in Guatemala focusing on complex ear cases requiring facial nerve monitoring, she jumped at the chance.
This would be her first time in the country, and while she doesn’t speak Spanish, that wasn’t going to hold her back from lending her expertise to the mission.
The preparation for this was critical, especially in a remote setting where it was unclear what the team would have access to once on the ground. Trying to anticipate every possible scenario, Anna overprepared as much as she could. She packed extra laptops, cords, and supplies to ensure she had enough neuromonitoring equipment to account for any possible eventuality. “You have to overprepare because it’s not like going to a case here where I have all the resources I need readily available,” she explained. Without the ability to source backup equipment locally in an emergency, it become even more important to ensure that she had everything she needed on hand.
The team flew into Guatemala City and slept there before enduring a bumpy seven-hour bus ride the next morning to Morales, a town located 152 miles away, on the Eastern side of the country.
The team itself was highly collaborative and international: 27 U.S. members (mostly from the Seattle area, along with Anna and two surgeons from Portland), one team member from Switzerland, eight Guatemalan team members, and 14 local interpreters. None of the patients or families spoke English, making interpreters essential for every step of care from intake to consent.
From Setup to Surgeries
Anna recalls that the schedule was intense but deeply rewarding. The team arrived on Saturday, spent Sunday setting up the clinic and operating room, and then dedicated Monday through Thursday to surgeries and clinic visits. Friday was reserved for packing up before the return trip to Guatemala City.
In total, an astounding 368 pediatric patients were seen, with 56 undergoing surgery. A dental team handled additional care, and 92 patients received hearing aids. Anna’s role was multifaceted, as she provided facial nerve monitoring for approximately 15 ear procedures, primarily for cholesteatomas (benign but aggressive growths in the middle ear that can cause serious complications if left untreated), and as an audiologist, she also helped troubleshoot cochlear implant issues in the clinic. She also trained a local team on Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing, helping build sustainable skills that would extend beyond the mission itself.
What stood out most to Anna was the “all hands on deck” spirit of the team. Unlike typical operating room environments where roles are clearly defined and siloed, this mission required flexibility and collaboration from everyone involved. On a typical day, Anna and the team juggled a myriad of tasks, from helping clean and process sterile instruments, to then spending time in pre-op entertaining children with arts and crafts or games like Uno.
“It can be an intimidating experience for the children due to the language barrier and being taken away by strangers in caps, masks, and scrubs,” Anna noted. “So this was important to try and make them as comfortable as possible.”
The operating room environment itself reflected this non-stop need to adapt and get creative. Surgeries took place in an OBGYN clinic’s operating suite (which thankfully was air-conditioned and reliably powered) but with two surgeons working simultaneously in the same room, separated only by a sheet. “That would never happen [in the USA],” Anna laughed, but it worked. Equipment was adapted creatively, and the environment fostered constant problem-solving and collaboration.
But it was absolutely necessary. Patients traveled from far beyond Morales, some journeying as many as 10 hours from Honduras over rough roads. Many families marked their calendars for months in advance for this rare opportunity to access care. As a result, innovation and quick thinking were essential to ensure as many patients as possible could be seen and treated during the four-day marathon.
A Marathon Week
Being in Guatemala presented its own set of challenges, both professionally as well as personally. The country is rated a Level 3 travel advisory by the U.S. State Department, prompting strict buddy systems throughout the trip. Yet at no point did Anna feel unsafe. “Everybody was just really grateful for us being there.”
Thankful families filled the courtyard outside the hospital, waiting first-come, first-served for intake, with surgical scheduling designed to prioritize those who had traveled the farthest. Conditions for the team were no more comfortable, and included cold showers (although, in the tropics it turned out to be a welcome relief) and constant heavy-duty bug spray to combat the abundance of mosquitoes. Despite the intensity, easily 12-hour days without postponements, the team remained in good spirits the whole time, fueled by a responsibility to the patients.
“It was eye-opening to see the differences in healthcare,” Anna reflected. “Here, I can call my doctor and get an appointment. There, health insurance isn’t a thing, and this might be their only chance for care.”
Thanks to careful preparation beforehand, no major equipment failures occurred. Still, the emotional weight of the work was undeniable. Watching families overcome immense obstacles for their children’s health left a lasting impression and deepened Anna’s appreciation for everyday conveniences back home.
Looking back now: Growth and Gratitude
One of the most inspiring aspects of the mission was the team’s unwavering commitment to patients. In one particularly moving case that has stuck with Anna, the group was offered the ability to excuse themselves from a high-risk procedure and every member stepped up instead, taking every precaution to do the procedure without hesitation. “Nobody backed down because this is somebody that really needed the procedure.”
That moment probably best embodied the ethos of the whole mission: putting patients first, regardless of difficulty or discomfort.
Returning home, Anna found herself changed by the experience. “Coming back is kind of eye-opening because you realize how much we take for granted.” She hopes to join the mission again in two years and offers honest advice to others considering similar work: “Be prepared for everything… It’s hard work, not a vacation, but it’s a really rewarding time.”
At IntraNerve Neuroscience, supporting team member missions like Anna’s aligns directly with our mission to support neurological health worldwide. By empowering our clinicians to volunteer, we not only help underserved communities but we also bring back perspectives that enrich our own practice.
We are grateful for partners like Children’s Health Project and proud of Anna’s contributions.
All photos were taken and provided by Anna Rose.
