Keir Thelander, MD, FACS, FWACS, FCS (ECSA) – Surgery…The Neglected Child of Global Public Health
Public health now has a prominent role in the health initiatives of developing countries across the world. However, despite this push, development of an adequate surgical workforce has not occurred. The surgical disease burden continues to grow, now reaching unfathomable numbers. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery reports, “Over half the global population cannot access the treatment they need should they hemorrhage after childbirth, suffer a burn, or develop cancer.” It is exactly a need like this that has given an opportunity for Christians to reach in to a needy world, giving the love of Christ’s hands and feet.
In 1997, God gave an inspiration to create a surgical training program in Sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate training and discipleship for some of Africa’s next generation of surgeons. The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) was created to meet not only the physical needs, but be a strategic response to the spiritual needs. PAACS now has over 60 graduates and over 70 residents currently in training.
In this session at the 2017 M3 Conference, Dr. Keir Thelander, Chief Medical Officer of PAACS, reviews the growing surgical disease burden, the work of PAACS, and how you can make a difference.
Click here for more information on the work of PAACS.
Houston Methodist. Leading Medicine.
Mobilizing Medical Missions (M3) was honored to partner with Houston Methodist to help make the 2017 M3 Conference a success. Houston Methodist’s mission is to provide high quality, cost-effective health care that delivers the best value to the people they serve in a spiritual environment of caring in association with internationally recognized teaching and research. Houston Methodist, a Christian organization established by the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, exists to provide quality health care services. As it fulfills this purpose, Houston Methodist participates in the redeeming activity of God that makes the world a better place for all humankind. This health system is based on the belief that God can heal through the lives, actions and words of persons, regardless of various religious perspectives. Therefore, in all endeavors Houston Methodist strives to treat everyone as a person of sacred worth and value, created by God.
Houston Methodist has many areas where they are leading the way in medicine, including their hospitals; research institute; institute for technology, innovation and education; hospital foundation; community benefits; specialty physician group; and primary care group. Each area is staffed by committed personnel who exemplify their five “I CARE” values: integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence.
To learn more about Houston Methodist and how they are leading medicine, click here.
Mitch Duininck, MD – Run to Battle!
Growing up in a small town in west central Minnesota, the idea of becoming a medical doctor and traveling the world to serve those in great need seemed highly unlikely. But with God, the unlikely and unexpected often become the norm.
In this session at the 2017 M3 Conference, Dr. Mitch Duininck, President and CEO of In His Image Family Medicine Residency Program, shares stories from this journey of faith that will encourage, inspire, and challenge us to look not for the easiest path in life but rather to be open to a call from Jesus to be His hands and feet, to go to those who are suffering, and to run to the battle!
Click here to learn more about Dr. Mitch Duininck’s work at In His Image Family Medicine Residency Program.
Medical Bridges: Bridging the Healthcare Gap Worldwide
Medical Bridges’ vision is a world in which every person enjoys access to quality healthcare with dignity and respect. They exist to bridge the healthcare gap worldwide by procuring and distributing medical equipment and supplies to under-serviced communities.
Today, it is estimated that the United States medical community generates nearly $9 billion of surplus product every year simply because the materials have been opened but never used or the items are outdated by U.S. standards and are replaced by the newest available technology. At the same time, countries all over the world are in urgent need of medical equipment and supplies. Medical Bridges was established in 1997 to channel unused medical equipment and supplies — everything from x-ray machines to band-aids — to qualified healthcare providers who desperately need them.
Mobilizing Medical Missions (M3) loves Medical Bridges and their vision, and we are honored to have them as part of the M3 community. Click here to find out more about Medical Bridges and the work they are doing around the globe.