Great success is born of passion that defies intellectual assent alone. Triumphant scientists are truly zealous for research. Victorious politicians are infatuated with their causes. Enviable couples are deeply in love with one another. While duty and commitment have their proper place, any formula for success is accelerated by infusing heartfelt enthusiasm. What […]
Propelled by the devastating 2004 tsunami and the ever-growing global HIV/AIDS crisis, interest in medical missions has never been higher. Many health professionals feel compelled to volunteer their services to those people most in need, but few follow through on these good intentions due to numerous misconceptions about medical missions. Two of the most common
Harrison Ford, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, Alan Greenspan, Vladimir Puton. Just name your field of interest, and you no doubt can list its most remarkable personalities. But what about within the realm of international medical service? Who are the ones today who inspire our sentiments and stimulate us to action on behalf
In the 1980s I was living in Shanghai, China, and working at Shanghai Charity Hospital – at that time called the Third People’s Hospital. Out of this experience I wrote the book Shanghai Doctor, published by Zondervan. Against the backdrop of hospital medicine, the book is essentially a biography if Chinese Christians transcending the
Most health professionals dream of international service, but what motivates this ubiquitous attraction? For some, it is the reality of human suffering and a resulting sense of personal duty. Certainly the stark conditions of poverty, preventable disease, absent medical care, and needless death that affect developing nations are disturbing. Providing help is a moral
Five days ago in Myanmar (Burma) at least 22,000 people died and one million were made homeless from a cyclone that caused a 12-foot tidal wave. Most of us naturally pause, consider the catastrophe, and simply wish we could help. But nothing more. Patrick Railey is a family physician that has made a
How does a “normal” American nurse go from a suburban neonatal unit to leading one of the most exemplary medical missions projects in the world? Cindy Obenhaus, RN – a keynote speaker at this May’s Exploring Medical Missions Conference – says that the process was gradual and increasingly compelling. Cindy’s first medical mission to Haiti was in
The story of medical missions is highlighted by individuals who inspire their colleagues towards similar selfless service. INMED is pleased to continue this effective tradition by announcing nomination for the 2007 International Medicine Awards. At the 2007 Exploring Medical Missions Conference INMED will present two awards: the 2007 International Medicine Award and the 2007
In a gesture of extraordinary kindness, the Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) invited INMED President Nicholas Comninellis to address their third annual continuing medical education conference as the keynote speaker. INMANA has a particular interest in medical relief, especially in light of the devastating earthquake that shook Pakistan in 2005, killing 73,000
The face of medical missions has changed dramatically since Albert Schweitzer left for Gabon in 1910. He served isolated people with very limited medical resources. Over the last 100 years we have witnessed enormous increases in international relations and medical capabilities. We have also seen the capitalization of medicine into an industry, the rise of