Over 16 years ago, Leonardo D. Gilbert, IAMM Founder and Director, traveled to Kingston Jamaica and began forming plans for a medical mission. Working with A.A. Walker, Minister of the Independence City Church of Christ in Kingston, Jamaica and with Loyd Harris, Minister of the McAlmont Church of Christ in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the plans for IAMM came to fruition.
The International/American Medical Mission (IAMM), which is a 501 c3 organization, held its first medical mission in August 2002. The first mission was two weeks long. It was a challenging, but great beginning to fulfilling the vision of establishing a medical mission that would make a difference in the health and well-being of “neighbors” in the United States and internationally.
The IAMM Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group of dedicated individuals, including physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel and leaders who all have the same vision.
Each year, since the first mission took place in 2002, IAMM has returned to Kingston, Jamaica to conduct follow up clinics. In addition, IAMM has been part of the relief efforts in Port au Prince, Haiti by providing much needed supplies and support as well as conducting its first week-long medical relief mission in February 2010, following the devastating earthquake. IAMM will return to Haiti and Jamaica in August 2010.
In the United States, IAMM was part of an urban study which monitored the effect of increased fiber intake on the cholesterol levels of the African American population of 100 subjects on the south side of Chicago. The study rendered promising results and as a result, at least half of the subjects who completed the 12-week study experienced lowered cholesterol levels and some even showed a drop in their blood glucose levels as well. Since June 2009, IAMM has partnered with the Crusade for Christ to bring health awareness and screenings to those in the cities where the Crusade is hosted. In the area of health and well-being, IAMM was also a partner with the Kansas City Food Bank in 2009 and was responsible for helping to feed 5,000 families in the Kansas City area. IAMM looks forward to forming similar partnerships across cities in the United States.
So what happens when IAMM conducts medical missions? What would you be doing if you made the decision to use your time and talents to become part of the IAMM Team?
IAMM basically conducts two types of missions: medical missions (e.g., what we currently do in Jamaica) and medical relief missions (e.g., what we do in devastated countries like Haiti). The two missions are inherently different.
To put it in simple terms, the MEDICAL RELIEF MISSIONS are more nuts-and-bolts types of missions requiring a team that is able to handle dealing not only with the devastating surroundings and the illnesses inherent in natural disaster situations, but also with the emotional impact and feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty that are evident in the lives of those they encounter. In addition, medical relief team members need to be more self-sufficient, simply because of the devastating surroundings. During our 1st relief mission to Haiti, the IAMM Team consisted of 15 dedicated team members, including 5 physicians and 3 nurses. (Please visit the Next Mission page to read more about what the team experienced in Haiti during the February mission.) When IAMM returns to Haiti in August, our goal is to increase the medical team to allow us to see even more patients
During the other MEDICAL MISSIONS, we are able to operate in a clinic-type setting more familiar to the majority of people, in which patients are treated or followed up on throughout the week to treat such illnesses as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc. Since 2002, during the medical missions to Jamaica, the medical teams have diagnosed and treated over 8,000 patients for multiple medical problems ranging from general physicals to minor surgical procedures.
In addition to providing essential healthcare, the satellite clinic personnel arranged for follow-up with the local medical system to ensure that patients with chronic medical problems be integrated into the Jamaican medical system.
Over the years, the IAMM has raised close to $1,000,000 as a result of the generous donations of churches, organizations, and individuals. These donations of money and supplies have made it possible for us to obtain quality medical personnel and to provide free services, medication and supplies, including dispensing over 400 pairs of eyeglasses during our first mission, to those in need of medical care.
The INTERNATIONAL/AMERICAN MEDICAL MISSION (IAMM) is a non-profit organization that is always looking for dedicated volunteers who are willing to make a difference. The most important prerequisites for being on the IAMM Team are your commitment to caring about others and your willingness to devote your time and talent on behalf of the mission and people who we serve.
To take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity, click here to complete the VOLUNTEER FORM to be part of one of the upcoming mission trips.
