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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.

Steve Foster 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. Steve Foster, 2012 INMED International Medicine Award Recipient Dr. Foster and his wife Peggy have lived in Angola, southern Africa, since 1975. The first fifteen years he provided surgical care at the famed Kalukembe Hospital in the midst of Angola's "blood diamonds" civil war. When he recognized the limitations of international healthcare volunteers like himself, Dr. Foster initiated a residency training program for Angolan physicians. Most recently he partnered with Samaritan's Purse and the Angolan Association of Evangelicals to establish the Lubango Evangelical Medical Center, which has been serving the nation since 2005. Reflecting on his life, Dr. Foster says, "I envision the day when I'll stand before God and account for my life. How can I say that I chose self-indulgence while other people, no matter how far removed, are struggling to survive?"

Mark Byler 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. Mark Byler, 2012 INMED HIV Leadership Award Recipient Since 2004, Dr. Byler, along with his wife Angie and son Luke, have lived full-time at Sanyati Baptist Hospital, in Zimbabwe, southern Africa. Zimbabwe, once the most prosperous nation in Africa, is today rated as having the worst quality of life of any nation on our planet. Twenty percent of the Zimbabwe's people are HIV positive and half of all the patients admitted to Sanyati Baptist Hospital are HIV infected. In spite of these odds, Dr Byler is a leader in providing HIV antiretroviral drug therapy to some 200 citizens at a time. He also manages the complications and opportunistic infections associated with HIV, including profound malnutrition, tuberculosis, and PCP pneumonia. In recent years Zimbabwe is witnessing a decline in HIV infection, thanks in part to exemplary healthcare professionals like Dr. Mark Byler.

Cindy Obenhaus The INMED International Healthcare 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. Cindy Obenhaus, 2012 INMED International Healthcare Preceptor Award Recipient Cindy Obenhaus began her service to the world's most marginalized people with a simple mission trip to Haiti in 1987. From this experience grew a dream sustainable health improvement that culminated in 2004 with establishment of Maison de Nassiance. This modern birthing home is staffed entirely by Haitians caring for their own in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation. Most recently, Cindy as a neonatal nurse is a lead instructor in Helping Babies Breathe, a newborn resuscitation program that trains health care staff to provide lifesaving care during the critical first minute after birth. Cindy says, "As a Christian, I'm called to go out into the world, to step out of my comfort zone. Being uncomfortable is good. It's where we best serve and to grow as people. Go ahead: Get uncomfortable!"

Jeremy Kirchoff 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. Jeremy Kirchoff, 2012 INMED National Healthcare Service Award Recipient As a medical student at Kansas University Medical Center Dr. Kirchoff enrolled in the INMED International Medicine Certificate program, studying at the Baptist Medical Center in northern Ghana, West Africa. Today Dr Kirchhoff is the first full-time physician at the new Hope Family Care Center, located in Kansas City's most vulnerable and underserved neighborhood. Dr. Kirchoff explains, "My experience in Ghana contributed immensely to my desire to care for underserved people wherever they are located. Parallel to Ghana, my practice in Kansas City today utilizes the cross-cultural skills and advanced disease management I learned in Africa." Dr Kirchoff offers a challenge: "Are you interested in this kind of career? Then find role models who are living the way you want to live. Follow their example."

Howard Searle New in 2012, this award recognizes organizations that provide exemplary disaster response services for highly vulnerable communities. In doing so, such organizations highlight the value of life and provide an exemplary model for us all. Emmanuel Hospital Association, 2012 INMED Humanitarian Crisis Response Award Recipient Emmanuel Hospital Association was founded in 1970 as an indigenous Christian health and development agency serving the people of North India. Since then EHA has grown to a network of twenty-one hospitals, thirty-three community health center, and special programs in community development and HIV care. EHA also hosts an active Disaster Management & Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which provided emergency assistance in the wake of the 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami. More recently the EHA Disaster Unit has been responding to massive flooding within India, marooning entire villages for weeks at a time. EHA assistance includes provision of emergency temporary shelters, safe drinking water, sanitation support, cooked meals, medical care, epidemic control, and recovery counseling - all in coordination with Indian authorities to avoid duplication of relief supports and ensuring fair distribution of relief services. Receiving the award on behalf of EHA is Dr. Howard Searle, a veteran of thirteen years service with EHA in India and today Director of EHA's United States affiliate.

Wendy & Greg Nyhus 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. Windy and Greg Nyhus, 2012 Comninellis Award for Compassionate Service to Humanity Recipients Before they ever met, Greg was the business administrator for Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea, and Wendy was a nurse serving in Swaziland. After marrying the couple and their children Aiden, Carter, and Sukanya served at Baptist Medical Center in northern Ghana where they coordinated the host of international volunteers. The Nyhus' also helped establish a chicken farm to support the orphanage, both by providing food to eat and eggs to sell. Greg and Wendy are both graduates of MidAmerican Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. Reflecting on his life, Greg observes, "When you follow the Master and are open to His leading, He will usher you on adventures beyond your dreams!"

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