The Hughston Clinic recently received a letter from pediatric surgeon, Ashwin Pimpalwar, who is the chairman and founder of Peedh Parai International. Dr. Pimpalwar wrote a heartfelt letter expressing his gratitude and admiration for the support that Hughston Clinic has extended to surgeon, David Antekeier, MD.
Peedh Parai International (PPI) is a non-profit surgical outreach organization dedicated to bringing high-quality pediatric surgical care to under-resourced regions. Dr. Antekeier and Dr. Pimpalwar work together on annual missions in Nagpur, India. Residents and medical staff from Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital also participate in the surgical mission each year.
In the letter, Dr. Pimpalwar said, “his surgical excellence in correcting severe scoliosis in children is matched only by his humility and compassion,” Dr. Pimpalwar also said, “your gifted orthopedic surgeon whose commitment to pediatric spinal deformity care has changed lives far beyond U.S. borders.” He shared a story that encapsulates the ripple effect of Dr. Antekeier’s work.
Dr. Pimpalwar wrote, “In 2023, a young girl named Anushka Manusmare—battling a debilitating kyphoscoliosis—underwent a life-transforming surgery performed by Dr. Antekeier and our PPI team. This year, Anushka secured admission to the government medical school in Nagpur—a feat that, in India, is akin to climbing Everest. Her transformation from a vulnerable patient to a future physician is not only a testament to her resilience, but also a tribute to the ecosystem of excellence, empathy, and partnership that Hughston makes possible. Even more touching, Anushka has become a community advocate. She has already referred another young girl with kyphoscoliosis to the upcoming PPI 2026 mission.”
This is the legacy we are building—where patients become healers, and compassion circles back as action,” said Dr. Pimpalwar. “Dr. Antekeier’s success abroad is directly linked to the institutional trust and logistical support he receives from Hughston.”
Dr. Pimpalwar closed his letter by saying, “these immersive global experiences provide unmatched exposure to rare pathology, resource-constrained innovation, and collaborative care—all while fulfilling the deeper calling of why we entered medicine in the first place. Thank you for your continued partnership, we are not only healing spines—we are shaping futures.”
For more information about Peedh Parai International visit: www.peedhparaiinternational.org
Last edited on September 23, 2025