Our Story

Enuval's journey began in April 2016 when spine surgeon Sariah Khormaee, MD, PhD, and model and scoliosis patient Martha Hunt crossed paths on Capitol Hill, advocating for NIH funding. Bonding over their shared dedication to spine health research and advancements, their friendship quickly evolved into a powerful collaboration. Fast-forward four years, and their shared vision culminated in the establishment of Enuval.

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This initiative was founded on their commitment to elevating spine care universally while addressing the underrepresentation of women—who make up less than 5% of spine surgeons and remain a minority in spine research. As their work progressed, they recognized that directly involving individuals affected by spine conditions in research could enhance engagement in science and more effectively address disparities in representation. Enuval’s mission is twofold: to empower individuals with spine conditions through education and research skills and to drive projects that expand knowledge and promote global equity in spine care.

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From the perspectives of both Martha and Sariah, engaging those with lived experience of spine conditions is not just important—it’s essential. As an organization, we believe this approach allows us to address the root of patients’ challenges and needs in a truly pragmatic way. We go beyond traditional participation by empowering patients to shape research, providing real-time insights that directly inform study protocols. By establishing a continuous patient feedback loop, we introduce flexibility into research design, breaking free from the rigidity of traditional models. Advocacy alone can accomplish only so much. Together, armed with physician experience and patient curiosity, we aim to explore novel ways of contributing to better spine health for all.