As a surgeon based in eastern Nebraska, Demetrio Aguila, MD, has drawn patients from 34 states, 6 countries, and 4 continents, not only because of his innovative, life-changing surgeries for people suffering with chronic pain, but because of the compassionate payment option he offers: in lieu of dollars, patients can donate community service hours for their procedures. For example, if a patient needs a surgery with an insurance fee of $5,000, a donation of 250 hours of community service can cover the cost. "In my heart of hearts, says Aguila, who served for over 20 years in medical missions for the US Air Force, I had this hope that we would rekindle in our neighbors, and in ourselves, a sense of volunteerism."
