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

I am a Family Physician from Kansas who retired from the US Army after 26 years of service. I worked in a clinical practice for 20 years and in disaster response for 13 years. These experiences gave me a better ability to anticipate the needs and challenges of those who I care for.

How did you hear about Global Care Force?

I learned about Global Care Force through my connection with Heart to Heart International and with Gary Morsch, who I have known for over 20 years.

With your extensive experience coordinating medical and disaster responses as Chief Medical Officer at Heart to Heart International, a nonprofit our founder, Dr. Gary Morsch, began over 30 years ago, how does Global Care Force stand apart from other medical relief organizations?

Heart to Heart and Global Care Force both care for those in need but in different ways and in different situations. Global Care Force uses volunteers to provide ongoing medical care to people in need in conflict areas through clinical evaluations and the provision of medication and medical supplies.

You have volunteered twice in Ukraine and plan to return two more times this year. Why do you keep returning to serve in Ukraine?

In the Ukrainian people, I see suffering and need brought about by Russia’s invasion. I am hurt by their needless suffering. My experiences and skills are gifts which I am called to use to help those in need. With my background and training, I am one who should be there.

As a guest on a recent Volunteer Voices online conversation, you gave examples of some of the medical needs of the patients you saw. Can you share some of those examples?

Much of what we see are chronic problems, the same as all in all rural areas. Some of it is unique, brought about by the active warfare nearby and disruption of support services brought on by the invasion. One patient was a younger farmer who came in with rather vague stomach complaints. It turns out that he was trapped in his house for two weeks with shells exploding above him while the Ukrainians and the Russians fought over his land. While I could treat him for his stomach pain, I primarily needed to address his anxiety. We were able to link him up with Ukrainian counselors and some sleep medications. My biggest worry was that he would be too worried about traveling on the roads to continue his counselling. He did agree to follow up with our team in two months.

Is there any experience you had volunteering that sticks in your memory? A patient, Ukrainian support team member, or volunteer team member?

So many things stick to my memory. These memories include the dedication of our Ukrainian staff, how they keep coming back, rotation after rotation, and working long hours to care for their other countrymen. I am also struck by the ingenuity of the Ukrainian farmers. Many of their fields were mined during the battles over their land and how they used their old farm equipment to help them clear their fields.

Global Care Force believes that volunteering can transform lives. Would you agree?

Certainly! Serving with the Global Care Force can transform you. Exposure to the Ukrainian people’s suffering and serving with others who are similarly committed can change you. When you see how Global Care Force volunteers keep returning, you know that something had to trigger that change. That something may be the patients’ suffering, the commitment of the Ukrainian staff, or the beautiful countryside. You may not be able to identify what caused the change specifically, but you can see the change in the ongoing call to return and serve.

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

There is some risk in deploying to Ukraine, but the risk in continuously assessed and managed. For me, to truly care for people, you need to shoulder some of their burden. For the Ukrainians, some lack of security is one of their burdens. When I share that insecurity, I feel better able to care for the people who live with that insecurity all year around.

Is anything else you would like to share about your experience with GCF?

The U.S. and Ukrainian staff of Global Care Force are professional, caring, and easy to work with. They made my deployments rewarding and smooth.

Interested in volunterring with Global Care Force? Learn more!