Shriners Children's Expands Access to Care Through Partnership With The Panama Clinic

The new clinic builds on an established relationship with Panama's leading pediatric orthopedic practice. That collaboration has helped facilitate telehealth consultations before families travel for treatment and after they return home, helping ensure continuity of care and the best possible outcomes for patients.

Our outreach efforts in Panama have grown steadily in recent years. So far in 2026, we have treated approximately 115 patients from Panama in the United States. During 2023 and 2024, Shriners Children's conducted orthotics and prosthetics outreach activities that screened 99 patients and provided braces to 86 children. Our burn reconstructive team also evaluates approximately 70 patients in Panama annually.

The impact of the outreach clinic extends beyond Panama. Shriners Children's also cares for children from neighboring countries, including Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. In 2024, we treated 154 orthopedic and burn reconstructive patients from those countries, with estimated operating expenses exceeding $9.7 million.

The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony attended by leaders from Shriners Children's, The Panama Clinic and Abou Saad Shriners.

"I want to extend a special thank-you to members of Abou Saad Shriners," Dr. Stewart said. "They played an instrumental role in helping bring the partnership to fruition through years of leadership, commitment and dedication to expanding access to care for children throughout the region."

As Shriners Children's begins this new chapter with The Panama Clinic, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to bringing specialized pediatric care closer to home while helping more children reach their full potential.