M25 Program
Sharon’s journey from pain to hope
Sharon’s story connects chronic foot pain, surgery, recovery, and the M25 model of care through community service.
The M25 Program
Healthcare access, paid forward through community service.
The M25 Program was created to help patients who need care but cannot afford it. Instead of paying only with dollars, eligible patients can give back through community service hours with partner charities.
The goal is simple: restore health, preserve dignity, strengthen the community, and give patients a way to invest in their own recovery.
Matthew 25:40
“Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
The program takes its name and inspiration from Matthew 25, connecting healthcare, service, and human dignity.
Mission
The M25 Program lifts the body, mind, and soul of patients and the community.
For patients facing serious pain and limited financial options, the barrier is often not willingness. It is access. The M25 Program offers a different way forward by allowing eligible patients to pay for care through donated community service hours.
This model keeps the patient invested in the process while turning the cost of care into service that benefits others.
It is not simply a discount program. It is a pay-it-forward model built around dignity, accountability, and compassion.
How it works
Patients contribute time, not just money.
Step 01
The patient needs care
A patient may need surgery or another healthcare procedure but cannot afford the full cost through normal payment options.
Step 02
The cost is converted into service
Instead of paying only with money, eligible patients donate time through community service with approved partner charities.
Step 03
The community benefits
Patients receive needed care while their service strengthens local organizations and helps people beyond the clinic.
Step 04
The patient stays invested
The model gives patients “skin in the game,” which the program frames as part of supporting follow-through and recovery.
Sharon’s story shows the human side of M25: pain, hope, surgery, recovery, and a path forward when finances make care feel out of reach.
Why it matters
Medical debt can close doors. M25 tries to open one.
The current M25 explanation points to the financial pressure many patients face, even when they have insurance. The program was built as one answer to that problem: transparent pricing, payment options, and a community service pathway for patients who qualify.
For Dr. Aguila and the Healing Hands team, M25 is connected to the broader mission of offering care in a way that is compassionate, innovative, affordable, and fair.
Access
Patients with financial need may have a pathway to care that does not depend only on immediate cash payment.
Dignity
The patient is not treated as a passive recipient. They participate by giving time and service.
Community
The program connects medical care with charitable work, allowing healing to ripple beyond one patient.
The team
A big vision carried by a team that believes in the mission.
The current M25 Team page describes staff members sharing excitement about the program and its ability to inspire patients, the community, and the team at Healing Hands of Nebraska.
This section can hold the team video from the old site once you have the final YouTube embed URL. For now, the page keeps the team story and leaves a clean media slot ready for the exact video embed.
Patient coordination
The team helps patients understand next steps, expectations, and whether the M25 pathway may be appropriate.
Charity partnership
The program works through approved community service opportunities with partner organizations.
Follow-through
Patients are encouraged to stay engaged in their care and committed to the recovery plan after treatment.
Back pain
Kenneth’s chronic back pain story
Kenneth’s story focuses on long-term back pain, nerve surgery, and the M25 Program as part of his path forward.
Occipital neuralgia
Tara’s headache and nerve pain story
Tara describes living with severe occipital neuralgia and finding a path toward relief through nerve surgery.
Saphenous nerve
Scott’s surgery and M25 giving story
Scott’s video connects successful nerve surgery with gratitude and support for the M25 Program.
Pay it forward
A patient gives back
This story highlights the pay-it-forward spirit behind the program and how healed patients can help others.
Whole person care
Chronic pain and mental health
Chronic pain affects more than the body. This video introduces a whole-patient approach to care and recovery.
In the news
National attention for a different way to pay for care.
The M25 Program has received attention from national and regional media for allowing patients to pay for surgery through volunteer service.
CNN Champions for Change
Dr. Aguila and the M25 Program featured as part of CNN’s Champions for Change coverage.
Read / watch storyNews Channel Nebraska
Norfolk doctor receives national attention for a volunteer-based payment program.
Read storyPoints of Light
Recognition for using volunteer work to help patients pay medical bills.
Read storyNBC Nightly News
Coverage of Americans facing medical bills and a doctor allowing patients to pay by volunteering.
Watch storyCBS News This Morning
Nebraska doctor lets patients pay for surgery by volunteering: “We want to be able to offer hope.”
Read storyCBS News Video
Video segment on the M25 model and patients paying medical bills through volunteer work.
Watch storyPeople Magazine
Nebraska doctor allows patients to pay for surgeries with volunteer work.
Read storyCBS News Omaha
Local coverage of the alternative way patients can pay for surgery through service.
Read storyCNN Experience
Behind-the-scenes video connected to CNN’s visit with Dr. Aguila and the M25 Program.
Watch videoMassachusetts Medical Society
Coverage shared by the publishers of the New England Journal of Medicine on Facebook.
View storyLincoln Journal Star
Norfolk doctor lets patients pay for care with volunteer work.
Read storyFilipino News Site
Surgeon allows struggling patients to pay through volunteer work instead of money.
Read storyWTKR TV
No money, no problem: doctor offers an alternative way to pay for surgery through volunteering.
Read storyBecker’s Hospital Review
Nebraska surgeon lets patients pay by volunteering.
Read storyNext step
Want to ask whether M25 may apply?
If you are living with chronic nerve pain and have not found lasting relief, contact the team at Total Pain Solutions.
Call 1-402-370-9515 or use the form to start the conversation.
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