Scripps spine surgeon provides pediatric spine care worldwide through medical missions and surgeon training. 

Gregory Mundis, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines, grew up overseas as a missionary kid, witnessing firsthand the impact a person can make on the world and themselves by helping others. 

“My heart has been in the world of helping since I was born,” he says. “When I went into medicine, one of my main drivers was to be able to give back.” 

Outside of his work at Scripps, Dr. Mundis participates in medical missions providing medical care to children around the world who would have no access to it otherwise. 

These medical missions recently earned him the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ 2026 Humanitarian Award, an honor for which Dr. Mundis is grateful. But a bigger gift than any award, he says, is just being able to help others. 

Dr. Mundis went on mission trips to Nicaragua, China and Africa during college, medical school and after he finished his residency. But once he decided to focus specifically on spinal care, Dr. Mundis connected with healthcare nonprofit Global Spine Outreach. And the rest, as they say, is history. 

When he began volunteering a decade ago, there was one clinical site in Colombia. Today, that work has expanded to three additional clinics, two in Mexico and one in Brazil. “It was like I was the gasoline that this fire needed,” he says. 

When Dr. Mundis visits a clinical site, he provides free surgical care to kids who often have uncommon or debilitating conditions, like scoliosis, kyphosis, congenital abnormalities and syndromes. They hold office hours to see new patients and follow up with previous patients, and work closely with local medical professionals. One of the caveats that comes with launching a new site is that the local surgeons must be interested in learning from Dr. Mundis and his team. 

“We want to teach the surgeons, which allows them to provide that same care when we’re not there,” he says. 

Dr. Mundis is quick to emphasize that he’s not doing this work alone. In addition to the staff, volunteers and local surgeons who accompany him on the trips, his work wouldn’t be possible without his partners at Scripps supporting the efforts and allowing him to do the work that he believes is “in his DNA.” 

He hopes any recognition he gets inspires someone else to want to give back. 

“Whether it’s giving your time, talent or treasure, everybody can get involved,” he says. “All you have to be is willing to give.”