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On the outskirts of our communities exist extraordinary numbers of individuals and families who are forgotten. Often these are the poor, the unemployed, minorities, and immigrants. Overlooked by the majority and left behind in the dash for progress, these silent persons piece together lives from the leftovers, as they succumb the physical and mental repercussions of neglect. Some two billion of them still lack basic nutrition, housing, safe water, education, and health care. As a result, their infants only have a three in four chance of surviving beyond childhood, and those who do may live only into their thirties or forties. Tragically, health in many poorer communities is actually on the decline. This should not be so!
| INSPIRING ASSISTANCE |
The Good Samaritan is a moving account told by the Great Physician of a compassionate outsider coming to the aid of a common man who was robbed, beaten, and left for dead. He urged, "Go and do likewise." Many healthcare professionals today continue to follow this model of kindness toward those who are most disadvantaged, make service to the poor an intentional part of their careers, whether in their home communities or in distant locales. Countless lives are saved through their ongoing commitment.
| CRITICAL DEFICIENCIES |
Yet healthcare professionals who serve on behalf of the forgotten often discover that their education and training poorly prepared them to work effectively among such people, primarily because:
- Health status is largely determined by factors outside of mainstream healthcare, including education, economic development, housing, and family planning.
- Health challenges are often distinct. Malnutrition, unique injuries, and certain infectious diseases are common in low-resource communities, but rare in wealthier ones. And, resources to manage these diseases are frequently minimal.
- Cultural context is challenging. Success in promoting health and combating disease requires an intimate understanding of human behavior, which often contrasts sharply from one community to another.
- Leadership skills are underdeveloped. Effective health intervention requires attention to community-wide needs and resources, team building, and strategic planning - concepts infrequently addressed in the education of healthcare professionals.
- Living and working in low-resource communities demands unique personal skills. Attention to physical health, emotional wellbeing, financial subjects, and family relationships is essential for long-term success.
| VALUES OF INMED |
- We are committed to the forgotten. We are called to serve the neediest, most disadvantaged people of the earth. We seek to relieve their suffering and to assist in making sustainable improvements in their lives. We seek to engage them, to promote their voice, and to offer our hands and feet in service. We respect those in need as active participants, not passive recipients, in this relationship.
- We value all human life. We regard all individuals as created and loved by God. We respect dignity, uniqueness, diversity and intrinsic worth of all people - regardless of wealth, social status, and or ability to reciprocate our efforts. We encourage these virtues in all of our working relationships, including staff, volunteers, donors, community, and those receiving our support.
- We are stewards. We are managers, not owners, of the resources made available to us on behalf of the forgotten of this world. We are transparent and honest in our communications and relationships with our partners, communities, and governments. Not only are we stewards of resources but of people. We strive to ensure that all of our activities, programs, and services are efficient and effective.
- We are partners. We are partners with those we serve as well as with those who invest into our shared mission. Our relationships are purposeful, diverse, and encourage mutual participation in achieving the mission. We seek cooperation and partnerships with other organizations and groups that share our vision.
| MISSION OF INMED |
The Institute for International Medicine (INMED) is a Missouri-registered, non-profit, educational corporation founded in 2003. INMED's mission is to equip healthcare professionals with the unique skills to serve forgotten people. Presently, INMED fulfills this mission through the following vital programs:
| INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIUMS |
Results To Date: Over 1950 healthcare professionals, students, and associates have participated in the INMED Exploring Medical Missions Conferences & INMED Symposiums.
| INTENSIVE COURSES |
Results To Date: 75 individuals have completed the INMED International Medicine Intensive Course and 100 individuals have completed the INMED International Public Health Intensive Course.
| ONLINE COURSES |
For individuals unable to travel, INMED offers online courses in the following disciplines:
All courses are self-paced, interactive, and designed for both students and experienced professionals who are new to these fields.Results To Date: Over 350 individuals have completed INMED Online Courses since 2006.
| INTERNATIONAL MEDICINE CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA AND FELLOWSHIP |
- INMED International Medicine Certificate is designed to equip healthcare professionals in the clinical fields with the basic skills needed to serve in poorer communities. This Certificate requires completion of the INMED International Medicine Online Course and at least one month of supervised service-learning at an INMED International Medicine Training Site.
- INMED International Medicine Diploma is intended for those healthcare professionals in the clinical fields who wish to complement their service-learning experience with a stronger academic foundation. This Diploma requires completion of the INMED International Medicine Intensive Course and the INMED International Medicine Certificate or documentation of an equivalent training experience.
- INMED International Medicine Fellowship is offered to physicians intent on a full-time career in the field. It requires completion of the INMED International Medicine Intensive Course and at least twelve months of supervised service-learning at an INMED International Medicine Training Site.
| INTERNATIONAL HIV MEDICINE CERTIFICATE |
HIV disease continues to cause greatest calamity in developing nations and poorer communities. The INMED International HIV Medicine Certificate is designed to equip health professionals in the clinical fields with both skills and experience to combat HIV in low-resource communities. This Certificate requires completion of the INMED International HIV Medicine Online Course and at least one month of supervised service-learning at an INMED International HIV Medicine Training Site.
| INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH CERTIFICATE & DIPLOMA |
Concern over healthcare for people on the margins of society continues to grow, fueled by globalization, worldwide news coverage, and the ease with which an epidemic or disaster in distant lands can affect other nations within hours. Encouragingly, the most common disease facing poorer communities can be prevented. But success requires uncommon skills. To this end, INMED offers two levels of training:
- INMED International Public Health Certificate equips healthcare professionals with the basic skills and experience necessary to prevent disease and promote health. This Certificate requires completion of the INMED International Public Health Online Course and at least one month of supervised service-learning at an INMED International Public Health Training Site.
- INMED International Public Health Diploma is intended for those healthcare professionals desiring to supplement their service-learning experience with a stronger didactic foundation. This Diploma requires completion of the INMED International Public Health Intensive Course and the INMED International Public Health Certificate or documentation of an equivalent training experience.
| INTERNATIONAL PHARMACY CERTIFICATE & DIPLOMA |
Pharmacy professionals are increasingly applying their unique expertise on behalf of the world's most vulnerable people. Their roles often include important aspects of patient-management decisions, medication stewardship and safety, patient and staff education, and managerial leadership. To facilitate participation in these worthy activities INMED offers:
- INMED International Pharmacy Certificate provides a formative introduction to the field through completion of the INMED International Public Health Online Course and at least one month of supervised service-learning at an INMED International Pharmacy Training Site.
- INMED International Pharmacy Diploma fortifies candidates with an increased academic background in the discipline. This Diploma requires completion of the INMED International Medicine Intensive Course and the INMED International Pharmacy Certificate.
| PARTNERSHIP FOR COMPASSION |
INMED's Executive Officers, Board of Directors, and Board of Advisors are pleased to partner with a growing number of students, healthcare professionals, universities, residency programs, healthcare facilities, and national health leaders - all intent on inspiring and equipping healthcare professionals to "Go and do likewise" and to serve the most forgotten people of our world.