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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.

Lani Ackerman 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. Lani Ackerman, 2009 INMED International Medicine Award Recipient This remarkable physician began her career determined to serve people who were most isolated. She honed her skills as a family medicine resident at John Peter Smith Hospital and during a 6-month assignment at Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh. Lani and her husband Tim went on to serve 8 years in the nations of Nepal and Bhutam, just north of India. She taught family medicine in a national university, served in mission hospitals and orphanages in the Himalayas, and created a community development project that advances agriculture and animal husbandry. Dr. Ackerman continues to inspire the next generation of health care professionals through her selfless career path.

Dennis Palmer The INMED HIV Leadership Award is given 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 goal. Dennis Palmer, 2009 INMED HIV Leadership Award Recipient For 13 years Dr. Palmer has served the people of Cameroon, Africa, through efforts to prevent HIV transmission from infected mothers to their newborn babies and through providing continuity HIV treatment to thousands of Cameroonians. He also engages in ongoing research into HIV management in low-resource communities. Dr. Palmer is active in training both African physicians and INMED students, and is co-author of the Handbook of Medicine in Developing Countries - the most favored resource in the field of international medical service.

Todd Stephens 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. Todd Stephens, 2009 INMED International Preceptor Award Recipient After serving six years in Kenya and Rwanda, Dr. Stephens developed a vision to inspire other healthcare professionals with his passion and skills. Today he directs the Post-Residency International Family Medicine Fellowship at Via Christi Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. This unique, one-year fellowship incorporates study of global health and supervised service in developing nations. More importantly, Dr. Stephens is instilling vision among younger people to care for those who are least able to care for themselves.

John Pengzhang 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 of a developing nation who is a role model in providing health care for his or her own people. John Zhangpeng, 2009 INMED National Service Award Recipient Dr. Zhangpeng is a 1999 graduate of the Shenyang Medical College in northeastern China. In 2002 he joined forces with Dr. Peter Burgos in founding Liaoning International General Health Trainers, better know by the acronym "LIGHT." Under Dr. Zhangpeng's leadership, LIGHT has since become one of the largest charitable organizations in China, providing innovative health care service for orphans and for the elderly - individuals who are often beyond the fringes of medical care. In guiding this organization, Dr. Pengzhang draws upon his deep fund of medical, administrative and linguistic skills, and has become an exemplary humanitarian among his fellow Chinese.

Richard Bransford 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. Richard Bransford, 2009 Comninellis Award For Compassionate Service To Humanity Recipient Joining the Africa Inland Mission in 1975, Dr. Bransford served in the Congo, the Comoro Islands and at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. As his career progressed, Dr. Bransford became particularly passionate about the needs of disabled children - an aspect of care frequently overlooked in developing nations. Today Dr Bransford is medical director and pediatric rehabilitation surgeon at Bethany Crippled Children's Centre in Kijabe, Kenya, providing not only hope for children but also clearly communicating the precious value of these youngsters.

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