Mitch Duininck, MD – Caring for the Victims of Humanitarian Disasters and Military Conflict
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) face significant challenges to their health and well-being that are unique due to lack of necessary resources including food, water, sanitation, shelter, security, and healthcare. Caring for people in these situations requires an understanding of their unique needs as well as having realistic goals regarding what can and cannot be done for them.
Recent experiences in providing healthcare for the victims of disasters in Nepal, Kurdistan, and Turkey – both natural and manmade – highlight the need to be well prepared when serving in these difficult situations. In this session at the 2017 M3 Conference, Dr. Mitch Duininck, President and CEO of In His Image Family Medicine Residency Program, will discuss team selection and preparation; travel and logistics issues; identifying and addressing the needs of the people being served, including physical, psychological, and spiritual needs; partnering with other relief organizations and local authorities; and returning home successfully.
We are called to serve “the least of these,” and the victims of disasters and crises certainly qualify. Often these events, though causing much hardship and suffering, create the possibility for doors and hearts to be open to the message of Jesus that otherwise would be closed. We must be both willing and well prepared if we are to serve well when we are called to respond to those in need.
Click here to learn more about the work of In His Image Family Medicine Residency Program.
Joël Malm – 3 Creative Ways to Fund Your Passion for Missions
You’ve got a heart to reach the world, but how do you pay for it? Travel is expensive and the needs are so great. In this session at the 2017 M3 Conference, Joël Malm will give practical tips to help you find creative ways to fund the call God has placed on your heart for the world.
Click here to learn more about the work Joël Malm is doing through Summit Leaders.
Russ E. White, MD, MPH, FACS, FCS (ECSA) – Rapid Expansion of Opportunities in Cardiac Surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa
In this session at the 2017 M3 Conference, Dr. Russ White, Chief of Surgery and Director of Medical Education at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, will look at the relative burden of cardiac disease in the developing world, and particularly the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. Most people generally think of infectious diseases and trauma-related conditions as necessarily being the priority for health care in the developing world. However, non-communicable chronic conditions represent an enormous portion of the disease burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, with surgically correctable cardiac conditions causing a disproportionately high amount of loss of life and productivity. Dr. White will discuss the opportunities which are developing within the region to begin to meet this enormous challenge. As Christian health care providers, we have a unique opportunity to bring complete healing of hearts to a large group of often forgotten people.
Click here to learn more about the work of Tenwek Hospital.
Keir Thelander, MD, FACS, FWACS, FCS (ECSA) – Linking Resident Education and Discipleship Across Country Borders: The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS)
In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul writes, “And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” That verse has been the major component of the marching orders for the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons since 1997. In this session at the 2017 M3 Conference, Dr. Keir Thelander, the Chief Medical Officer of PAACS, will share how God has now expanded PAACS’ influence to 9 training sites in 8 different countries across Africa. One hundred percent of PAACS’ graduates continue to work and serve and share the love of Christ in Africa. In spite of the challenges of overseeing a cross-cultural, across country borders program, God continues to open doors for growth and the expansion of His glory through PAACS.
Click here to learn more about the work of PAACS.