Tell us a little about yourselves. What is your background and where you are from?

Melinda: I was born on the Blackfoot Reservation and have lived most of my life in Montana. Early in my career, I set up distribution chains for software products across Asia and South America. I loved working overseas and being part of a community in other countries. Desiring to make a difference in my community back in Montana, I changed careers and became a fitness professional. Currently, I own my own Boutique Fitness studio specializing in Pilates and post-rehab exercise.

Ed: I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska. After high school graduation, I enlisted in the Coast Guard and spent four years as a Corpsman at an air station in Port Angeles, Washington. After the Coast Guard, I spent summers as a mountain guide, traveling and climbing all over the world, guiding clients to some of the highest mountains. During the winter, I worked on my undergraduate degree prior to getting accepted into a PA program at Oregon Health Science University in Portland. After graduation, I spent 10 years working in small rural hospitals across Nevada and Montana. For the past 14 years, I’ve been at a Family Medicine Clinic in Helena.

How did you learn about Global Care Force (GCF)?

Melinda: Originally, I wanted to go to Ukraine with a friend who started an NGO, but after discussing the idea with Ed, it became clear that it would be best to use Ed’s skill set to its fullest. Ed researched online and found Global Care Force.  Ed spent significant time talking with the other providers that participated with GCF and felt it had the most impact for the time spent in the country.

Ed: I heard about Global Care Force through an internet search. We were looking for an organization that was providing medical care in Ukraine and came across your organization.

Did you specifically seek a volunteer program that you could do as a husband and wife team? Have you previously volunteered together?

Melinda: Yes, we did look for a program where we could volunteer together.

Ed: We hoped to find an organization where we could serve together, but had a realistic expectation that it might not be possible. Once we found out we could do it together and both of our skill sets could be utilized, we were very excited. We have done several small volunteer projects together, but nothing on this scale.

Ed, you are a physician’s assistant. Tell us about the patients you saw and their health issues.

Ed: In Ukraine, we primarily dealt with classic family medicine patients, managing hypertension, diabetes, chronic musculoskeletal issues, and anxiety and depression secondary to the current situation.

Melinda, you are not a medical volunteer, but played an important role. Tell us about your role on the team. 

Melinda: As a fitness professional who formerly worked in a Physical Therapy clinic, I provided instructions on movement that might provide some release from discomfort and increase good posture. I also offered ideas for healthy movement through tasks of daily living and farm chores. Some folks thought I was giving some weird advice, but there were a lot of smiles, laughter, and appreciation for hands-on help.

Can you share a story about a patient or staff member that impacted you? What memories will stay with you?

Ed: The thing that will stick with me was the resilience of the Ukrainian people. They have been under tremendous stress and continue with their lives. It was eye-opening and sad to hear the stories of those people.

Melinda: At our first clinic, near the end of the session, a babushka entered seeking some stretches for low back and hip discomfort. As I asked a few questions, she proudly announced that she exercised daily. Wow, I thought. Not a single person so far had tried to use exercise as a way to relieve some discomfort. I asked her to show me the exercises she performed. She was so excited to show me. She demonstrated while I followed her example. We were both smiling and laughing at the whole demo. At the end, I gave her my most enthusiastic thumbs up. She came forward and gave me the biggest bear hug. Then I gave her a few complimentary exercises. As we exercised, she informed my interpreter, Polina, that she had lost her son when the village flooded due to the Russian bombing of the dam above them. She no longer had a husband. As we stretched together, she cried as she shared her story. There is something that happens to the body when it’s moving. Many emotions can be released. She gave me another large hug, one of the best I’ve ever received from a stranger. I’ll treasure this moment.

Your local newspapers shared your story of volunteering in Ukraine before and after you served. How was that helpful? 

Melinda: It was incredibly significant in helping us raise money. Helena was very supportive. After every article, we saw a jump in donations. Also, many people in town approached us when we were out and about to ask about our upcoming trip and when we would discuss it upon our return. There’s a lot of interest in Helena to help and understand what’s going on in Ukraine.

Ed: Our goal of this trip was to provide the Ukrainian people with medicine and our medical skills, as well as bring their stories to our community. It was important for us to keep and share their stories alive.

Is volunteering together one of the secrets to a good marriage?

Melinda: Yes, it’s an incredibly important part of happiness and life satisfaction to perform tasks for the benefit of others. Performing those tasks together with the most important person in your life makes the experience double in happiness and in life satisfaction. It’s like singing, which really is like praying twice. Performing those tasks together with the most important

Ed: Working together on a common goal is very important for a good marriage. Volunteering is a great tool to help accomplish this, as it’s a goal to satisfy working together, but benefits the group you are helping.

If someone is considering volunteering with Global Care Force, what would you tell them?  

Ed: I would highly recommend Global Care Fore to volunteer with. I felt completely safe and cared for as well as I felt my skills and services were utilized.

Melinda: Yes, we already are encouraging another primary care doctor here in Helena to make the commitment to go. I think they might try to go within the next year.

Interested in volunterring with Global Care Force? Learn more!