September 24th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in International Health News & Inspiration|

Daktar is the most riveting account of faith and healthcare I’ve ever enjoyed. Set amid the agonizing 1971 Bangladesh war for independence from Pakistan, Viggo Olson describes his very personal experience with injured and dying Bangladeshi people, and his heroic efforts to bring compassionate healthcare amid the chaos. Disabled in the midst of the fighting by his on fractured arm, I felt the pain and determination of this author’s struggle to be effective against all odds.

Diplomat in Bangladesh is also a befitting subtitle, as this book also documents Dr. Olson’s years long effort to establish a medical center, beginning with pre-war dealings and red tape with Pakistani politicians in order to get permission to establish the hospital.

Dr. Olson it’s also an intriguing personality. Trained in a prestigious United States surgery department, he walked away from a distinguished and lucrative career. Daktar chronicles his journey from agnosticism to a burning faith in Christ and his illustrative career decision making process. I find it no wonder that 50 years later we continue to be inspired by Viggo Olson’s monumental book, Daktar.

September 17th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in INMED Grads In Action|

INMED’s faculty include Micah Flint, recipient of the 2021 Comninellis Award for Compassionate Service to Humanity. This award was established by the INMED Board of Directors to recognize people who demonstrate care and concern for those in need, who give selflessly of their time and resources, and who inspire others to take similar action.

Micah Flint completed an MPA in healthcare leadership and disaster management at Park University. He also holds a nursing degree and bachelor’s degrees in science and liberal arts. He earned his INMED Diploma in International Nursing & Public Health in 2008, which included two terms of service at Baptist Medical Center in northern Ghana. Micah has created engaging presentations and learning content on Disaster Response, Cross-Cultural Skills, Health Leadership, and Simulation. He is the author of the Disaster Response: Pocketbook for Volunteers and Disaster Management in Limited Resource Settings, 2nd Edition. He is an active member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

Micah Flint teaches the INMED Lifestyle Health Course, which will next be offered in the 2021 Late Fall Term beginning on October 18. Healthcare professionals will benefit from this opportunity to complete a personal health status analysis and to develop a personal health plan that addresses nutrition, stress reduction, sleep hygiene, social life, and activity. The Lifestyle Health Course earns 2 credit hours toward the Master’s Degree in International Health.

September 10th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in INMED Action Steps For You|

August 27th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in Disaster Management|

Are Americans experiencing a change of heart towards refugees? Since Aug 16, we’ve witnessed with dismay the immediate Taliban return to power in Afghanistan. We’ve viewed with horror the carnage of airport suicide bombings. We’ve peered inside the crammed compartment of giant Air Force planes evacuating Afghans. Has any of this touched American hearts?

Yes, it appears to be true. A CBS News Poll conducted August 18-20, 2021, posed the question “Do you think the US is doing too much, not enough, or about the right amount, to help Afghan people who are trying to leave Afghanistan?” 14% said Too Much. 27% said The Right Amount. And 59% – almost 2 out of every 3 Americans – responded Not Enough. Refugee resettlement agencies throughout the nation are suddenly reactivating, rehiring, and reequipping to accommodate tens of thousands of foreigners.

This survey suggests a heartening embrace of humanity, an affirmation of all human life – even lives that are very different from our own. Mahatma Gandhi’s statement is timely: “Recall the face of the poorest and weakest man you have seen and ask yourself if this step you contemplate is going to be any use to him.” The Afghan people are some of the poorest and weakest. May our invitation to them prove to be genuinely useful.

As these persons begin arriving in our country, will our invitation next be followed up with genuine assistance and encouragement? The Levitical scriptures declares, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” The Afghan people are some of the world’s most mistreated. May our extension of friendship towards them prove to be heart-felt.

Actions steps: Watch TEDx Talk International Refugee Care. Take INMED’s International Refugee Care Course. Volunteer with a US Refugee Resettlement Agency.

August 20th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in International Public Health|

“Turbulence in Afghanistan – people fleeing their homes from the Taliban – is already provoking worldwide migration,” report my colleagues at the United Nations. “Like a ripply effect, desperate human beings running for their borders provoke greater insecurity among vulnerable people in neighboring nations, who in turn flee for safety. These ripples are becoming a flood around the globe.”

At this moment, 80 millions people – the population of Germany – are living as refugees  in other nations. These are the worlds most endangered people, usually traveling without money, documents, friends, nor a clear destination. We at INMED as especially concerned over the plight of international refugees, and our Training Sites in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan provide refugee care. Would you like to become involved in care of international refugees? This Early Fall Term, INMED is offering our International Refugee Care Course – a two credit hour graduate level learning experience preparing you to serve with excellence amid in our complex, compelling worldwide refugee crisis.

August 13th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in International Public Health|

Mother and children during the Great Depression. Elm Grove, Oklahoma, USA.

Many people live on the margins of United States society due to race, language, ethnicity, income, immigration status, and more. The United States is distinct from other developed countries in that there is no single national health care system that provides access for all its inhabitants. Also notable in the US is the relative lack of attention to social needs that are so vital to health. As a result, marginalized people are frequently unable to access essential health care.

Beginning Monday, Aug 16, INMED is offering the Healthcare for Marginalized Americans Course. This course explores the complex patchwork of ingredients which comprise United States health care systems, with special attention its deficiencies for marginalized people. The profound impact of social determinants of health are examined. Health resources are evaluated. Obstacles to care are identified, along with “work around” solutions commonly used by marginalized people. Existing and potential solutions to the healthcare dilemma for US marginalized people are explored. Course participants are challenged to advocate for a more equitable US health care system.

July 30th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in INMED Action Steps For You|

How can you best prepare yourself for an effective and satisfying career in global health? I believe that the single strongest credential is field experience under the guidance of watchful, qualified supervisors. In this way, you can refine both your professional skills serving low income or cross-cultural people, and your personal skills necessary to thrive under often difficult circumstances. But before such a field experience, your supervisors will expect you to be well prepared!

The INMED Professional Master’s Degree in International Health (MIH) will prepare you with excellence to benefit marginalized people by cultivating skills in epidemiology, diseases of poverty, maternal newborn health, international public health, cross-cultural care, disaster management, health leadership, healthcare education, and research and quality improvement. The MIH is a 32-credit hour program consisting of Courses, International Service-Learning, and a Scholarly Project. Courses next begin on August 16.

What will the MIH cost you? Control is very important to us at INMED, and the tuition is just $272 per credit hour, bringing the total degree to $8704. The only additional costs are travel expenses associated with your international Service-Learning. The entire degree may be completed in as short as one year, and will qualify you for competitive global health positions in patient care, research, teaching, and leadership. What more questions do you have? Visit the MIH FAQs, message [email protected], or call 816-444-6400, as you equip yourself for an effective and satisfying career in global health!

July 23rd, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in Healthcare Education|

This award recognizes individuals who are making an important impact in training of the next generation of international healthcare volunteers. Through their instruction and their role modeling, award recipients express the value of each individual.

The 2021 International Healthcare Preceptor Award recipient is David Culpepper, MD. Dr. Culpepper is an internist and Point of Care Ultrasound Fellow with Ultrasound Leadership Academy. Armed with a professional Degree in Pharmacy, he trained at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, he is certified in echocardiography and internal medicine, holds a Fellowship in the American College of Physicians,  and practiced general internal medicine and hospital medicine for three decades.

Dr. Culpepper has provided volunteer medical services to marginalized people in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Romania, Kenya, and refugees on the Greek Island of Lesvos. His professional passion is teaching point of care ultrasound skills to those serving around the world in low-resource communities, and since 20015 Dr. Culpepper has taught the INMED Professional Certificate Course in Ultrasound for Primary Care.

July 16th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in International Public Health|

I have a small scar on my left arm – a reminder of the smallpox pandemic that killed as many as three out of every 10 people infected and claimed the lives of some 300 million people since 1900. The smallpox vaccination left this small scar. But today, younger persons have no such scar. Why not?

The vaccine against smallpox proved to be extraordinarily effective. And, the intensive, worldwide vaccination campaign was so successful that the World Health Organization certified global eradication of the disease in 1980. No existing smallpox virus meant no longer any need to continue vaccination.

Now, smallpox disease and prevention are not identical to COVID-19. Nevertheless, what pearls can be gleaned from smallpox history and applied to the COVID-19 pandemic? For one, the remarkable effectiveness of certain vaccines. Those currently available in North America are more than 90% effective in preventing serious disease. Another pearl is the power of worldwide resolve to vaccinate all persons. This strategy has worked for smallpox, measles, pertussis, and more. The COVID-19 pandemic will not be controlled until everyone is protected. With the coming fall season and greater indoor activities, unvaccinated persons will be at especially high risk.

Suspicion and disinformation ‘plague’ the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. These obstacles are not new. They obstructed the eradication of smallpox at every corner. But seeing the proof of vaccine effectiveness is as easy to see as looking at your arm. You have no smallpox vaccination scar because the vaccination worked!

July 9th, 2021 by Nicholas Comninellis
Posted in International Health News & Inspiration|

The 2021 INMED Cross-Cultural Healthcare Service Award recipient is Martha B. Baird PhD, APRN/CNS-BC, CTN-A. Dr. Baird recently retired from the University of Kansas Medical Center as an associate clinical professor after 43 years in practice and teaching. She holds advanced certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse specialist and as a transcultural nurse. Dr. Baird’s Journey in cross-cultural healthcare was marked early on with 10 years of service in the Haitian Villages in the Dominican Republic.

Building upon that early experience, Dr. Baird’s research has focused on the health of immigrant and refugee populations, including African refugees from South Sudan. In 2013-2014 she participated in the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma: Global Mental Health and in 2018 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in Uganda where she taught theory and research methods to graduate nursing students at Uganda Christian University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of a refugee resettlement program in Kansas City, Missouri, the Jewish Vocational Services,. Dr. Baird continues to share her influence through the Transcultural Nursing Society.