Is it necessary to board an airplane in order to serve forgotten people? Need you learn a new language, acquire a passport or special vaccinations to aid those who are most neglected? Actually no. While you may feel compelled to go to such lengths, this fact remains: there exist untold forgotten people, the least […]
This week I enjoyed making presentations at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and the Cox Family Medicine Residency in Springfield, Missouri. But the highlight was Friday morning, March 26, at Kansas City’s historic Hotel. The venue was Ingram’s Magazine‘s 2010 Heroes in Healthcare Awards, where INMED was honored among the recipients. Keynote speaker for
Over this last week I’ve been writing my 2010 INMED theme address – one that I’ll make to about 15 universities and residency programs throughout the Midwest this spring. “Serving The Forgotten” is not only the theme for the 2010 INMED Exploring Medical Missions Conference, but after detailed consideration the INMED Board of Directors chose
Most everything I know about leadership is summed up in this profound 3 minute video, Leadership Lessons From Dancing Guy. Oh I’ve enjoyed classes on leadership. Jim Evans, my high school civics teacher, also personally mentored me. And I’ve certainly learned first hand through trial and error. But the most basic principles of leadership –
Have you considered helping out in Chile or Haiti? Clearly, these acute crises in health will be palpable for months to come as the nations rebuild. There exist an abundance of opportunities for you who dream of serving people in critical need, who have polished your skills, and who are now ready for action
What do YOU believe are the greatest issues impacting global health? This question may seem overly academic, but viewed through the lenses of Haiti’s recent catastrophe makes the inquiry much more relevant. I find that people – especially medical people – often respond with statements like HIV or malaria or malnutrition. Myself, I prefer
During medical school I met with a group of classmates to identify the one most impoverished, under-served location on the entire planet. We selected Burkina Faso – at that time called Upper Volta. This nation is located in West Africa in the midst of the Sahara Desert. As a resident physician I worked with
This morning I’m with the Ingrams’ magazine photographer, snapping shots for INMED’s reception of their magazine’s Heros In Healthcare Award. Through all this consideration of background, lighting, and whether my tie is straight, I’m thinking of all the unrecognized heros whose entire life and lifestyle is a testament to the power of faith and
The day following Haiti’s earthquake I received this message from Dr. Jim and Sandy Wilkins, who have served at Haiti’s Christianville Medical Clinic since 1999: “Our house fell down while we were in it. Our clinic building is half down. We worked for 24 hours straight, suturing and bracing fractures. 5 died here, 2
I am pondering that fact that healthcare professionals who want to serve the very poor often need to renew or broaden 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