To What Lengths To Save A Life?

February 3rd, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

bmc-kids.jpgTo what lengths a healthcare professional will go to help save a life? Is enough that we give of our time, our education, our skills. What about giving of our very life? Nina Hicks is an INMED student presently serving at Baptist Medical Center in northern Ghana. When a young mother in Ghana presented with a life-threatening hemorrhage from placenta previa, Nina donated her own blood to aid the mother! Check out Nina Hicks blog from Jan 30th, and prepare to be moved!

Pharmacy Saves Lives

February 2nd, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

This morning I’m diligently updating INMED’s International Medicine Online Course. In the process, I’m amazed to finally discover in the literature a thoughtful analysis of the essential drug concept and drug procurement issues for poorer nations. As INMED is developing an international pharmacy track in the near future, this info in vital - and ultimately SAVES LIVES!

More About Thriving On Encouraging Words

February 1st, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

I’m especially delighted to learn that INMED was just awarded among Ingrams Magazine’s 2010 Heroes in Healthcare. This adds up to 3 major recognitions in 3 months! Not that we are intentionally pursuing praise from our peers. But we are continually encouraged to discover others who resonate with our vision and our efforts. In this vein, I’m also mindful of Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” I’m so very fortunate to be a wealthy man!

Renew Your Skills!

January 23rd, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

community-health-worker-cropped.jpgI am pondering that fact that healthcare professionals who want to serve the very poor often need to renew their expertise - those skills in public health, leadership or divergent specialties they once learned, but have not used in the years since their careers became more focused. This requires a commitment to relearning. But perhaps this would not be such a struggle, for there was a time in our lives in which we enjoyed the adventure of learning, and that adventure still awaits!

Searching For Men Of Character

January 20th, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

haiti_palace.jpgTelevision coverage of the Haiti crisis, competing for airtime against Sports Central and American Idol, creates a compelling contrast. It all makes me want to see more men who define themselves by a calling higher than simple self-gratification. Certainly we all must attend to our legitimate personal needs. But guys, enduring satisfaction will never be found until we move beyond these appetites towards a vision far beyond ourselves, even beyond people whom we will ever meet (2 Corinthians 5:15). Yes, we will fumble and fail. But we will also gather our strength, get up, and continue following our high calling. Where are the men of such character?

Giving Up Her Own Evacuation

January 17th, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

haiti3.jpgMaggie Higgins, daughter of INMED’s Board Member Ted Higgins, was volunteering at INMED’s training site, Christianville Medical Clinic, when the earthquake struck. Today she wrote, “Last night, a flood of people were showing up. I’ve been doing a LOT of nasty wound irrigations and debris removal. I basically took out a cement plant from a young girl’s head today. Luckily we have generators that are functioning and access to water. Even with all the pain and death that is going on - bodies have been piled up outside our clinics - I helped birth one of the 3 babies at our makeshift clinics. I’m exhausted.” But in spite of her exhaustion, this morning Maggie gave up her seat on a Coast Guard evacuation helicopter to let on a severely injured Hatian. Isn’t it revealing how in the midst of crisis one’s true character and convictions come to light? And isn’t it enlightening, in view of our suffering Haitian neighbors, how petty seem so many of our preoccupations, even entire lifestyles?

Haiti Aftermath Day 1

January 14th, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

christianville.jpgThis word today from Dr. Wilkins at INMED’s Training Site in Haiti: “Our house fell down while we were in it. Our clinic building is half down. We worked for 24 hours suturing and bracing fractures. 5 died here, 3 babies born, 2 paralyzed, many huge lacerations, limb cut off. We are out of supplies and medicines. We are working on survival for the next few days. Keep praying!”

Horror In Haiti

January 13th, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

haiti.jpgYesterday, as the shadows were growing long, an earthquake of enormous intensity, 7-8, struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti. While CNN reports hundreds of thousands killed, I’m most concerned over those whom I personally know on this island nation. Sandy and Jim Wilkins have lived in Haiti 1999 and along with their Haitian national staff, run the  Christianville Medical Clinic just outside of Port-au-Prince. Are they physically safe? No word out of Haiti so far. And if they are safe, can you just imagine the strain of caring from the injured and desperate of Haiti this morning?!? The traumatic plague on top of chronic poverty! For those concerned about the poorest of the poor, this is a dark day. But it’s also one of hope, as thousands of North Americans mobilize to assist!

What Specialty Should I Choose?

January 10th, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

I received several questions this week from international-minded medical students regarding what specialty to select. Wonderful are your intentions over how to best prepare yourselves for a life of serving! My short answer is, choose the specialty that most interests you. There exists the misconception that only primary care specialties are appropriate for medical missions. While it is indeed true that the greatest needs in developing nations are in public health and primary care, there is also an important role for specialists. Ophthalmologists, orthopedists, plastic surgeons, for example, all have unique talents to offer people in low-resource nations. Teaching opportunities - better suited for specialists - are constantly expanding in developing nations and offer influential positions to multiply one’s skills among nationals. There also is a real possibility that at some point you will practice back home. For all these reasons, medical students do better when they pursue specialties in which they are genuinely interested, and then apply these skills to the context of medical missions.

Drawn To Pakistan!

January 8th, 2010 Posted in INMED | No Comments »

I am impressed this week with the surge of inquiries about volunteering, even studying, at Bach Christian Hospital in the mountains of Pakistan. In contrast to the continuous requests for placement in Africa (I call this the ‘Bono/U2 Effect”) it is a confirmation that people indeed realize that enormous needs exist in other continents as well. Bach Christian Hospital is a truly exemplary outpost that serve some of the most isolated people in Pakistan. I find their altruism of our INMED volunteers heartening, though of course INMED must be very selective about whom to recommend for these assignments.

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