Health care professionals needed for volunteer medical teams abroad Positions open for teams in Africa, the Caribbean, Eurasia

For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicki Biggs, 314-996-1236, 314-556-3829 (cell), @theLCMS

ST. LOUIS, January 27, 2014—The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has an immediate need for health care professionals and others to join short-term volunteer medical teams to provide health care for underserved people abroad.

LCMS Mercy Medical Teams (MMTs) are now organizing and spots are still open for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, registered nurses, emergency medical professionals and pharmacists for these upcoming trips:

March 13-23 to Madagascar, Africa

May 5-12 to the Dominican Republic, Caribbean

June 6-16 to Kenya, East Africa

Sept. 13-23 to Kyrgyzstan, Eurasia

Oct. 16-26 to Madagascar

Health care professionals who serve on MMTs contribute to lasting and sustainable health-care efforts in international locations and relief projects supported by the LCMS.

“Christ’s mercy to those in physical need was an integral part of His work here on earth,” says Maggie Karner, director of LCMS Life and Health Ministries. “It is a blessing to continue that work as we share His compassionate love with others. It is also a joy to work alongside so many exemplary medical professionals. Without them and their extraordinary talents, we couldn’t do this work — and consequently, thousands of people worldwide would never receive the blessing of quality health care offered in the name of Christ.”

While medical professionals are in need, adults who do not have health care experience also can apply for these volunteer positions. Such volunteers will be placed on teams with trained and experienced leaders.

Since its inception in 2006, the LCMS MMT program has served nearly 20,000 patients in some of the most poverty-stricken areas of the world including Indonesia, Haiti, Guatemala, Kenya and Madagascar.

LCMS health ministry staff assemble the Mercy Medical Teams, provide experienced team leaders; coordinate medical sites and medications; assist with visa and immunization matters; arrange for travel, meals and accommodations; and provide evacuation insurance for all volunteers. Volunteers are responsible for the cost of flights, meals and rooming.

For more information, visit www.lcms.org/mercyteams or contact Tracy Quaethem at mercyteams@lcms.org or 314-996-1711.

About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.3 million members – 600,000 households – in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.lcms.org.

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