Restoring Hope Through Orthopaedic Care: From Ecuador to Northwest Florida

Orthopaedic care has the power to restore movement, relieve pain, improve function and change lives. For Dr. Steven Kronlage and Dr. Chris O’Grady, that commitment extends far beyond Northwest Florida.

Through their ongoing work with Bayside Medical Missions in partnership with their own non-profit, Hands of Hope Medical Mission (HHMM), both North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists physicians continue to provide specialized orthopaedic care to patients in underserved communities abroad. Their work reflects a shared belief that access to life-changing care should not be limited by geography. This year, that mission continued in Ecuador and here along the Gulf Coast, where a young patient from Grenada returned for another important step in his care.

Continuing the Mission in Ecuador

Dr. Steven Kronlage traveled to Ecuador in mid-April, followed by Dr. Chris O’Grady, who returned at the end of May. During their respective trips, both physicians worked alongside Bayside Medical Missions to evaluate and treat patients who might otherwise lack access to specialized orthopedic care.

For patients in communities with limited access to surgical specialists, this care can be life-changing. Many arrive with injuries, abnormalities, or chronic conditions that have gone untreated for months or even years. Through these missions, they are able to provide treatment that helps restore function, reduce pain and improve quality of life.

For Drs. Kronlage and O’Grady, these trips are not isolated acts of service. They are part of an ongoing commitment to use their training and expertise to meet patients where they are, whether that means traveling internationally or continuing care for patients whose needs extend beyond what is available in their home countries.

Bringing Hope Home

That commitment is also reflected in the story of Nassir Andrew, a young boy from Grenada whose care has become closely connected to North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists and HHMM.

Nassir first traveled to the Andrews Institute Surgical Center in Gulf Breeze in 2023 for surgery related to a brachial plexus injury that affected the function of his arm. During that initial visit, Dr. Kronlage and Dr. O’Grady operated together to help improve his shoulder and elbow function, giving him greater use of his arm and a better opportunity for long-term mobility.

This year, Nassir returned to the United States for a second procedure, performed by Dr. Kronlage, to address continued limitations in wrist extension. The surgery involved tendon transfers designed to help stabilize his wrist and improve function for everyday activities such as writing, eating, playing and using his hand more effectively. Not only was the surgery successful, but during his recovery, Nassir and his family also had the opportunity to visit the Gulf Breeze Zoo, creating a meaningful experience beyond the operating room.

Nassir’s care is about more than surgery. It is about helping a child gain functionality, independence and confidence while also allowing him to experience moments of joy with his family.

Nassir’s mother, Reba David-Andrew, reflected on what the care has meant for their family, sharing, “Dealing with something like this, having that consistency and care is everything. What means the most to me is that they never disappeared between appointments. They check in, they stay in touch, and every year they meet with him over telemedicine to see how he is doing. They also ensured that finances were never a barrier to my son receiving the care he needed. That kind of generosity is something I will never forget and could never fully put into words.”

Service That Continues Long After the Mission Ends

The work of Dr. Kronlage and Dr. O’Grady demonstrates that medical mission care does not end when a trip concludes. In Ecuador, their service helps bring orthopaedic care directly to patients in need. Through Hands of Hope, that same mission extends to patients like Nassir, whose complex needs require access to specialized care here in Northwest Florida.

Behind each mission is also a network of generous donors who make this work possible. Funds raised through HHMM help provide essential equipment and experienced surgical assistants for mission trips in Ecuador, as well as covering expenses such as lodging when patients like Nassir travel stateside to receive care.

Together, these efforts show the broader impact of compassionate orthopaedic care. It is measured not only in procedures performed or patients evaluated, but also in relationships built, function restored, and lives changed over time. For Dr. Kronlage and Dr. O’Grady, mission work embodies the same values they bring to their patients every day: expertise, compassion and a commitment to helping people move forward.

Whether caring for patients in Ecuador or welcoming patients from Grenada to Northwest Florida, their goal remains the same: restoring hope through orthopaedic care wherever it is needed most. To learn more about Hands of Hope Medical Mission and how you can help, visit HandsOfHopeMedicalMission.org.