Medical Missions Foundation

Volunteer Spotlight- Vonnie Kane- 19 and Counting

For anyone who has ever seen the television show chronicling the Duggar family in Springfield Arkansas, you may think that we're talking about a large family. Actually, we are actually referring to Vonnie Kane's impressive 19 missions to nine different countries over the years.  

Vonnie earned CEUs this year with the Medical Missions Foundation course "The Role of the Mission Nurse" and graciously has allowed us to share some of her insights. As her participation in the September MMF mission to the Philippines was obviously not her first, she chose to go about her final report by listing what she's learned over the years.

Here is what Vonnie has learned about being a mission nurse:

1. The start of a mission is never smooth or without glitches! There are always some unforseen problems or small crises. One can lose sight that this is a developing country with less resources than our own. Complaining and a negative attitude makes things worse. The group becomes closer and more efficient after we have resorted to "Plan B" or even "Plan C."
2. It's easy to get hung up in personal wants and needs, especially when the work is so tiring and the days are long. We must stay focused on our purpose and not dwell on personal issues. It might be necessary to remind yourself (and others) often of why we are there! This is not our vacation! Some inconvenience and discomfort are expected! Be willing to lower expectations!
3. I've learned to let the local nurses "teach" me new or different ways of doing things. Just because we have more resources in our country, we are not "better." We are in a poorer, less fortunate country, and the tendency is to think of ourselves as superior.
4. It is crucial to respect the culture of the country we are visiting. Americans tend to be ethnocentric. We are just different, not better. We are guests in another country and we should be mindful of their ways. Whether we are in Asia, Central America, Africa or Eastern Europe, all medical missions are similar in that we are hosted by another country and we should respect its people and their customs. Learning phrases and speaking words in the native language helps form a bond with the patient and their families. Talking with other volunteers about the patient in our language in the patient's presence is rude, if nothing else. Communication is key and translators are a must! Mission participants take lots of photos... asking for permission is a good rule to follow. Give patients and families as much control as possible!

Vonnie wrapped up her report with the following:

After 19 medical missions to 9 countries, I am still learning. I am humbled by the courage patients and parents have shown. I cannot imagine trusting foreign doctors and nurses in ways I have seen. I am honored to have been part of medical missions making a difference in so many lives.

Thank you, Vonnie, for your years of service and for sharing your valuable words of wisdom.

Medical Missions Foundation offers 15 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the course “The Role of the Mission Nurse." Medical Missions Foundation is an approved provider through the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Click here for more information about earning CEUs with MMF.

 

Volunteer Spotlight- Nora White

When Nora White's husband Bob asked her what she wanted for her 60^th birthday, she told him that she would like to sponsor a mission to the Philippines…and that she did! She even continued her role as "Nora the Clown" to entertain the children at the hospital and a local orphanage.

Check out the 2011 Philippines mission blog here.

Read more about Nora in this feature.

Volunteer Spotlight- Christine Wilson and Brenda Kumm

Preparations are under way for the 16th Annual Art for the Children Auction and Gala to benefit Medical Missions Foundation. Art for the Children, MMF's flagship fundraiser is chaired every year by community volunteers who work diligently to secure art, sponsors and entertainment for the fun and inspiring evening.

This year, MMF is honored to have community advocates Christine Wilson and Brenda Kumm co-chairing the event.

Christine T. Wilson, J.D. is the President & CEO of Mid-America Coalition on Health Care. She has more than 15 years’ experience in the health care industry and was formerly a Senior Vice President of Fleishman-Hillard’s global health care practice group. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated from the law school at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. Christine has served on the boards of Research Medical Center, Turning Point-The Center for Hope and Healing, Friends of Art, and Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri.  She is a supporter of the local arts committee and is a current member of the Lyric Opera Circle and Kansas City Ballet Guild.  She is a graduate of the Kansas City Civic Council’s Kansas City Tomorrow leadership program and was named 40 Under 40 by Ingram's Magazine.  She is the proud mother of a ten-year old daughter.

Brenda M. Kumm, M.S. currently works as a consultant on community health projects.  She is the  mother of two young boys and is a longtime community volunteer. She is the former President of KC Healthy Kids and prior to that served as Vice President of the Mid-America Coalition on Health Care. She has over 20 years of experience in the area of community and corporate health management. She received both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Brenda is a sustainer in the Junior League of Kansas City, MO and advises their Community Grants Committee. She has served on numerous boards in the community, including at present, Ozanam, foodNow and KC Healthy Kids and enjoys volunteering at her son’s school, Academie Lafayette.

Mark your calendars for February 11, 2012 to attend Art for the Children! Ticket and table sponsorship information will be available soon at www.mmfworld.org. See videos from past years of Art for the Children here.

Volunteer Spotlight- Jeff Montgomery, Bob Hagans and Judy Overton

In honor of our upcoming 10th Annual Jeff Montgomery Golf Classic, today’s Volunteer Spotlight will feature three of the event’s longtime organizers- Jeff Montgomery, Bob Hagans and Judy Overton.

The 10^th Annual Jeff Montgomery Golf Classic will take place at The National on Monday, August 29 with teams of business executives and doctors from the Kansas City area playing to support MMF. The tournament will conclude with the presentation of awards and a banquet with live and silent auctions. 

In its tenth year, the Classic has raised more than $500,000 to provide children in developing countries with much needed (and otherwise unavailable) clinics and surgeries. The proceeds from the event help pay for the medical equipment and supplies needed to send volunteer doctors, nurses and support staff to countries such as the Philippines, Uganda, Mali, Romania, Panama and Guatemala. The children treated often have been shunned by their societies for having deformities such as cleft lips, misalignment of the eyes and severe burn scars. Through MMF corrective surgeries, these children regain their dignity.

 

While Jeff Montgomery is a longtime prominent Kansas City fixture, he’s been even busier recently as he’s been commentating regularly on Royals games this season. When he’s not at Kauffman Stadium or traveling with the team, he’s busy with his role as V.P. for Union Broadcasting and also provides analysis to Union Broadcasting's local station, 810 WHB. Jeff  has been involved with Medical Missions Foundation since before the inaugural Golf Classic and continues to be engaged after ten years because he appreciates being able to help generate the required funds for missions to take place. “This event allows local medical experts to utilize their skills and abilities to do really good things for those in need.”

 

Judy Overton, community advocate and devoted charity fundraiser, co-founded the annual golf tournament in 2001 with Barbara Fegan. She has a passion for helping small organizations raise funds and develop events, which she does regularly through her extensive philanthropic work in the region. Judy became involved with Medical Missions Foundation when she was asked to meet with the co-founders, Drs. Tony and Luz Racela, in 1996. She was inspired by the idea of MMF and has said, “I’m amazed by the dedication of Kansas City doctors and nurses who travel to third world countries. They really care and perform life changing surgeries.”

 

Bob Hagans, former CEO of Kansas City uniform company Unitog, is highly involved in Kansas City organizations and for many years has served on the boards for Kansas City Public Television, Junior Achievement of Middle America, Leukemia Society, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He also was General Chairman of the LPGA Classic in 1980 and General Chairman of the Champions Tour events in Kansas City in l996 & l997, and served as Business Manager for the Peter Marshall golf event from 1981-90 for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Kansas City. Always business, Bob simply stated, “I do this work for MMF because of the wonderful things they do worldwide.” 

 

Thank you, Jeff, Judy and Bob for spearheading this fundraiser for ten years! Your commitment to MMF is hugely appreciated. Also, great thanks to all of the wonderful and generous supporters and volunteers that have made the Jeff Montgomery Golf Classic a continued success over the years!

Volunteer Spotlight- Di Devore

Di has participated in three MMF missions thus far- 2009 Mali, 2010 San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala and 2010 Uganda. She became involved with MMF through her good friend, Dee Reed. They had worked together with a different organization in 1993 on a six week mission in a remote northern Guatemalan town. Dee encouraged Di to participate with MMF and in 2009, for the first time in 16 years, the two worked together on the Mali mission.  

As a Pre-op and PACU/Post-op nurse, Di sees and prepares patients before surgery, during recovery and sends them home or to a hospital bed after their procedures in the OR. What stands out to her is that many of the patients she works with on missions have waited weeks, months or longer to have their surgery done, often with no certainty that it will occur. "They may travel hours or days to the mission site, sleeping where ever they can while waiting. Some patients ride home by bicycle or bus on dirt roads just hours after their surgery. It's sobering."

Di loves working with the other volunteers she has met through MMF saying, "They're a great self-selected group of optimistic, hard working, talented and adventurous people. I enjoy the opportunity to work with the people of each country and culture that we visit, as more than a casual tourist. Nursing in mission settings offers the same satisfactions as our paid American work, but often in a more frontier environment with unfamiliar equipment and less technical support." Di, of course, explained this as a fun adventure.

Di shared that "every trip is a refresher course in how much comfort, safety and sheer abundance we have, how little many people must make do with and how many good-humored and caring people there are. It can be sad, humbling and encouraging all at the same time."

Thank you, Di, for your participation and lending your skills to our missions!  

Volunteer Spotlight- Dr. Sabrina Shih

Dr. Sabrina Shih has participated in an impressive seven missions with Medical Missions Foundation- Antigua, Guatemala 2007-2010, Mali, Africa 2009, Uganda, Africa 2010, and San Lucas, Guatemala 2011.

Sabrina recalls her favorite missions as those where she has worked at Casa de Fe (similar to a Ronald McDonald House) in Antigua. There she gets to spend the most time with patients and ensure they recover from their surgeries. Sabrina also really likes the downtime at Casa de Fe that allows her to be able to play with the kids and do "art team" things. "I think art team must be the BEST job on any mission!" she said.

Sabrina became involved with MMF through her sister, Dr. Grace Shih, who is an anesthesiologist at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Grace works with quite a few MMF surgeons and they recruited her to participate in the Antigua 2006 mission, and she in turn recruited Sabrina for the Antigua 2007 mission.

Sabrina says she keeps coming back because of the wonderful people who participate in the missions, from the doctors, nurses, dentists, audiologists and pharmacists to the support staff, families, art team members, translators and mission coordinators. Sabrina said,"They are an amazing, talented and generous group of people from all over the country who get together in remote parts of the world to share their special skills and help people in need. It's a privilege to be a part of this group and to be able to do the things we do." Sabrina concluded with, "It has completely changed my perspective on the world."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Thank you, Sabrina, for being the amazing, talented and generous person you are and for your continued participation with MMF!

Sabrina is pictured above with a little boy named Nelson in Antigua, Guatemala who had his cleft palate repair revised by Dr. Kriet. 

Volunteer Spotlight- Larry Lerner

Larry, a Kansas City attorney and MMF board member, has participated in the Antigua, Guatemala mission and hopes to join more missions in the future.  His favorite experience on the mission included a time when he sought out much needed coffee for one of the mission surgeons. Dr. Tammy had been in the operating room from early morning late in the evening and really wanted coffee. Larry went out searching with one of the interpreters, finally finding a vendor who sold them all he had- about half a dozen cups.

Larry first became involved with MMF when Dr. Trudi Grin recruited him to attend MMF executive committee meetings. When asked what keeps him involved with MMF, he said, “I come back and give my time an effort simply because of the immense need in the world, the so-appreciated results and the extraordinary time, experience, professionalism, expertise and talents of all of the doctors, nurses, med-techs and lay volunteers. “ Larry went on to say, “I’m honored to be asked to help.”

Thank you, Larry, for your continued participation and support!

Volunteer Spotlight- Joann Lacy

Joann, a pharmacist, has been on six missions so far with Medical Missions Foundation, all to Guatemala. She says they have become her “summer vacation” each year, coming back every year with new stories, new friends, and new memories. The memories that stand out to her include “crowded tuk tuk rides in the rain, friends at the Obras, Clara chasing us down by name, smiling Guatemalan patients, and the shy friendly smiles of the children.” She said she is always amazed by the people she meets on the trip and the gratitude of the Guatemalan people. This is what keeps her going back to Antigua every year. Joann went on to say, “Each year I come back from the mission with a new appreciation for what MMF does and the things we take for granted here in the US..... clean drinking water, good access to medical care, ice cold drinks, and even my toothbrush!!”

Joann became involved with MMF in 2006 when she received an email asking if she knew of any pharmacy students interested in participating on the Guatemala mission. She responded asking if it had to be a student or if she, as a pharmacist, could go. At the time, she said she had no idea how much work goes into planning for the trip and getting the meds and supplies. “The time and dedication that people put in behind the scenes to make each trip happen is amazing… thanks to all of the mission directors and coordinators! Thanks to MMF for giving me the opportunity to ‘step out of my box’ and have this wonderful experience each year! ”

Thank you, Joann, for your continued time, dedication and participation!