You are a longtime financial supporter of Global Care Force (GCF). How did you get involved with medical missions?
My first exposure to providing medical service to the underserved came in med school with a six-week elective at a mission hospital in Liberia. Once “hooked”, I spent a year at a hospital in Maua, Kenya, and have made additional volunteer trips to Haiti, Peru, Rwanda, Tanzania, Bhutan, and again to Kenya, as well as four trips with COVID Care Force/Global Care Force (GCF).
What inspiries you to give on a regular basis?
As for inspiration for giving, both financially and by volunteering, I try to be guided by 1st John 3:17. There’s a line in the hymn, “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us,” which I find deeply moving:
“Can it be, O gracious Master, that you deign for alms to sue, saying by your poor and needy, “Give as I have given to you’?”
Professionally, I enjoy the challenges of volunteering, embrace the “become comfortable being uncomfortable” philosophy, and am continually awed by those I meet along the way, both patients and volunteers alike. Any kindness I’ve been able to give, any compassion I’ve been able to show, absolutely pales in comparison to that shown by others. I am constantly humbled by the immense measure of humanity I’ve witnessed on these trips, and I’ve always, always reaped far more than I’ve been able to give, as in the poorest places I’ve seen the greatest faith.
On my first trip with Dr. Gary Morsch in 2020, we found ourselves treating COVID patients at a small Catholic nursing home. An elderly British woman, COVID-positive and with dementia, was crying in terror, reliving the childhood trauma of a bombing attack on London, and was calling for her mother. A nurse, defended only by a mask, held her firmly, consoling her and continually whispering, “It’s alright, sweetheart. Mother has you. The bombs have stopped, you’re safe.” At that moment, despite having been in medicine for over 40 years, I realized I knew nothing about the depths of true compassion, and I thank God that He allowed me to witness this.
It is often difficult for first-time volunteers, as they often feel unprepared or apprehensive toward the unknown, but if you wait until you feel ready, you’ll never go. Sometimes you simply must trust in God and allow yourself to become part of the miracle He provides.
Many of our donors are not able to volunteer with Global Care Force, so their financial support is a way to serve. Would you agree and why?
For those unable to go into the field but considering giving, I would reassure them that their generosity becomes the heartbeat behind every act of mercy. If you cannot go, then give, and your gift will go in your place. It takes one heart to go, but many hearts to send. Those who give make the work of those who go possible and become part of the same miracle. As I’ve so often heard the Kenyans say, “Give as God has blessed you.”
What criteria are most important to you when deciding which organization to support?
The criteria I generally look at when deciding on organizations to financially support include:
1). What is the necessity of the mission, and is the organization effective at meeting the goals?
2). What is the financial effectiveness of the organization? What does my donation actually do? I scrutinize charitable donations like I do investments. I don’t buy mutual funds with an 8% load, and I don’t donate to organizations with an excessive overhead. I’ve deployed with a religious organization on a disaster response mission that does wonderful work on the ground, but their pastor/CEO draws over $400K. I’ll deploy with them and work alongside their volunteers, but I have more efficient uses for donations.
While I must admit my favorite organizations are typically military or orthopaedic surgically related (Orthopaedics Overseas and others), there are many which are well managed and meet a desperate need. In my experience, Global Care Force is a well-managed and fiscally responsible organization that is not only meeting needs in war-torn Ukraine and now has expanded to other areas of the world but importantly serves to provide the infrastructure for medical personnel to volunteer. Many in health care want to volunteer but are unsure how to go about it. GCF eases this entry and introduces many to the absolute joy of sharing their medical talents with those so desperately in need. I would have full confidence in recommending GCF to potential donors and can reassure them that their contribution will benefit someone in need.
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