The INMED International Medicine Award recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to health in developing nations. Award recipients have demonstrated uncommon dedication and endurance in pursuit of this cause.
The 2023 INMED International Medicine Award recipient is David Vanderpool. A general surgeon originally from Dallas, Dr. Vanderpool’s early career was punctuated by service during Hurricane Katrina following which he established the Mobile Medical Disaster Relief organization to provide medical clinics, clean water projects, and micro-finance projects to areas hit by disasters. In 2010, an earthquake devastated Haiti. Dr. Vanderpool was a first responder, caring for horrific injuries and witnessing firsthand the desperate needs in Haiti.
He and his wife Laurie sold their Tennessee home and moved to Haiti, where for these last 10 years they have led LiveBeyond, as he says, “an organization that chooses to LiveBeyond – live beyond ourselves, our culture, our borders and this life so that others can LiveBeyond – live beyond disease, hunger, poverty and despair.” Today LiveBeyond in Haiti includes a surgical hospital, maternal and child health program, a farm, a church and a school maintained by Haitians for Haitians – a virtuous position especially in light of the chaos and gang violence which groups much of Haiti, especially in the capital city Port-au-Prince.