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The history of healthcare for the forgotten is highlighted by professionals who inspire their colleagues toward similar service. Some of these individuals are described among the INMED Role Models. INMED is pleased to continue this effective tradition by announcing annual winners of the INMED International Medicine Awards at the Exploring Medical Missions Conferences.

Joe LeMaster The INMED International Medicine Award is offered annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to health in developing nations. Candidates for this award have demonstrated uncommon dedication and endurance in pursuit of this cause. Joe LeMaster, 2010 INMED International Medicine Award Recipient Dr. LeMaster is a University of Kansas School of Medicine graduate who went on to later receive a Masters in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine. Dr. LeMaster and his wife Judy lived in Nepal from 1990-2000, serving at Okhaldhunga Hospital, the only medical care facility for 300,000 people, where they promoted maternal-child health and conducted leprosy research. Presently, Dr. LeMaster is at the University of Missouri-Columbia, teaching family medicine and researching community participation for improving the health of children. Dr. LeMaster is a truly inspiring and devoted man!

Thor Swanson The INMED HIV Leadership Award is presented annually to a person who has made a significant contribution toward the control of HIV in developing nations. Candidates for this award have demonstrated innovation and personal sacrifice throughout their efforts towards this end. Thor Swanson, 2010 INMED HIV Leadership Award Recipient Dr. Swanson served at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya during 2006-2007 and has also provided volunteer HIV care in Nepal, Tanzania, and Honduras. Currently, Thor offers HIV medical care at Siouxland Community Health Center in Sioux City, Iowa. He also instructs University of Iowa medical students and residents in the field low-resource HIV care. Dr. Thor inspires us through his contribution of knowledge and expertise in controlling HIV!

Nancy Crigger The INMED International Medicine Preceptor Award is offered to an individual who has made an important impact in training of the next generation of international medical volunteers. Through their instruction and their role modeling, candidates for this award have demonstrated that indeed every life matters. Nancy Crigger, 2010 INMED International Preceptor Award Recipient Dr. Crigger is a family nurse practitioner and associate professor of nursing at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. For two decades, she has lead and instructed American nursing students in providing care in Central America. Nancy has developed particularly keen insights into training individuals for international service with regard to culture, ethics, and best practice tools. Nancy has made an enormous impact on the international healthcare volunteers of tomorrow!

Rick Donlon Many health care professionals within their own nations are sacrificing personal comfort in order to care for their neglected neighbors. The INMED National Service Award is presented to a citizen who is a role model in providing health care for his or her own people. Rick Donlon, 2010 INMED National Service Award Recipient Dr. Donlon is an internal medicine and pediatrics physician. In 1995, he and three classmates opened Christ Community Health Services, a primary-care health center in Memphis' most under-served neighborhood. Since then, CCHS has grown to five locations, providing over 95,000 patient visits and delivering 800 babies each year. Dr. Donlon is a role model who uses his tremendous experience both to provide healthcare for the forgotten and to motivate others in this pursuit!

George Faile This award was established by the Institute for International Medicine Board of Directors and is named after the Founder and President of INMED, Dr. Nicholas Comninellis. The award is given annually to that person or person's who demonstrate care and concern for the needy of the world, who give selflessly of their time and resources, and who inspire others to take similar action in the care of those who are most neglected. George and Elizabeth Faile, 2010 Comninellis Award For Compassionate Service To Humanity Recipients George Faile, Jr., MD, and Elizabeth Faile, RN, have served for over twenty years at the Baptist Medical Center in northern Ghana on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Dr. Faile spent most of his childhood in Ghana and began his medical career providing anesthesia in Yemen. After finished his family medicine residency in 1987, he and Elizabeth moved with their three boys to Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Faile became a "do it all" doctor, learning from visiting specialists, and putting those skills to work once they left. Dr. Faile has mentored dozens of INMED students and residents since 2004, sharing both his vision and skills to enable the "do it all" doctors of the future!

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