Connect to Care

I have always felt called to help those in need through my career as the Senior Chief Medical Officer at an international relief organization, my church, and in my personal life. I see people in the Ukraine suffering due to the Russian invasion and I feel called to help. With my military background, I feel that I am one of the most appropriate ones to help. Returning to Ukraine with Global Care Force is an honor.

I was excited to return to Ukraine with Global Care Force to help those who have been displaced by war and now lack access to basic medical care. I am impressed with the efficiency and clarity of mission of Global Care Force. I am personally excited about reconnecting with my sense of purpose as a physician by using my skills and training to assist those in need.

I keep returning to Ukraine to provide primary care to those in need. When I served with the Mobile Medical Team on my previous missions, I was impressed by the resiliency of the Ukrainians and the medical needs being met by Global Care Force. Many are displaced, others without running water and electricity in some villages, but they continue on with their daily lives. I also learned much about their long and rich cultural history as an independent country. I am honored and thankful to return for my sixth time and use my skills to help support them in their time of need.

As a ‘kiwi’ nurse, being part of a Global Care Force volunteer team is a privilege and the pinnacle of my nursing career.

Volunteering is a tradition in my family, begun with my father’s almost 35 years of dedication to the Australian Red Cross and a tradition passed on through me to at least one of my adult children. My long nursing career in New Zealand and internationally has shown me a most effective way to demonstrate the depth of my respect for humanity by translating my feelings of compassion into the delivery of practical nursing care.

My endeavors will continue not only because of my deep commitment to humanity but also because of the support of those who share their generosity and benevolence. I was honored to serve in Ukraine in December.

Melinda and I were honored for the opportunity to use our medical and professional skills in providing compassionate health care to the people of Ukraine who need our assistance.
We see our serve as being an important part of being citizens of the world.
We considered it a privilege to serve with Global Care Force and make even a small difference.

My experiences in Iraq and Syria profoundly shaped who I am. They solidified my life’s purpose: to serve others wherever I’m needed most. In conflict zones, I saw undue suffering and communities surviving without basic medical care, and I realized that healing, not just protecting, was my calling. Those moments moved me beyond words and set me on the path to becoming a global health physician.

I made my home in Central Europe for medical school many years ago and they took me in as one of their own. I returned to volunteer with Global Care Force in 2024 and for a second time in November to give back to a region that I have so many fond memories of.

Throughout my career in Critical Care medicine, I have repeatedly witnessed how caring, hope and empathy, combined with the power of medicine, can create strength that can persevere and transcend the greatest of suffering. It was a great honor to be included on a medical mission team to Ukraine with the goal of providing some of these pillars of support to the Ukrainian people during this challenging and painful time.

Throughout my lifetime as a nurse and nurse practitioner, I have embraced the profound privilege of caring for others. This noble profession has not only humbled me but has also enriched my life in countless ways. My decision to serve in Ukraine stems from a deep commitment to the oath I took as a nurse—to uplift and advance our profession. I was happy to share the knowledge and blessings I have received, and I am truly honored to be considered for this role. My hope was to make a meaningful impact, no matter how small, by standing alongside the resilient people of Ukraine during this critical time.

I became a nurse to help others. To help the people of Ukraine was my honor, and I can think of no greater calling. I’m thrilled to be of service.   

I was excited to return to Ukraine for the third time in October. I’ve been honored to meet and work with some amazing people. I enjoy learning more about the Ukrainian people each trip I am a part of. I am impressed by how the clinics are organized and the resolve of the people that we meet. The team in Ukraine have become like family and I am thankful for each experience that I have to serve alongside them.

I was honored to return in September! I love seeing the difference that trauma care and support make in addition to the medical services. Being of service in this way fills my heart. The war in Ukraine continues to have a devastating effect on everyone there — people who are simply trying to go about their daily lives. Witnessing the courage, resourcefulness, strength and compassion of both patients and teammates is humbling and powerful.

I’ve always told my kids to treat others well and have no regrets about what you should have done. I am at the stage in my career where I feel I need to do more than sit on the sidelines and watch what is happening in Ukraine. I knew if I didn’t do something now and take this opportunity to serve, I would regret it. I could have donated money, but I have a skill that I can offer to help others who are seeing their country slowly being destroyed. That’s why I continue to volunteer with the Mobile Medical Team.

As the people of Ukraine continue to endure, suffer, and resist the Russian invasion, I remain committed to providing humanitarian aid there. My first time there in February 2023 was intense and hard but rewarding. I felt my humble contribution towards caring for our patients to my core. I wished I could have stayed longer or done more, so I returned to serve in October 2023. The bond I made with the other volunteers lifted up my spirit, and I was honored to serve again in September 2025!

I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve the people at the US/Mexico border in need of care and with no other access to healthcare. I believe the need is great for this population, and I want to offer hope, health and compassion for them.