International Medical Relief (IMR) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Colorado, United States. Its primary objective is to offer healthcare services to marginalized and underserved populations worldwide. IMR achieves this by enlisting healthcare professionals and volunteer doctors who donates their time and expertise.[1][2]
![]() | |
Abbreviation | IMR |
---|---|
Founded | 2002 |
Founder | Shauna Vollmer King |
Type | INGO |
Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
Focus | International medical and health organizations Emergency Medicine |
Location | |
Region | Worldwide |
Revenue | $65 million[1] |
Volunteers | 60,000 |
Website | internationalmedicalrelief |
The organization specializes in providing medical aid during both domestic and international emergencies, deploying first responder medical teams to swiftly address the healthcare needs of affected communities. IMR's primary focus is to provide rapid and effective healthcare assistance to those in need.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Background and current operations
editInternational Medical Relief was founded in 2002 by Shauna Vollmer King on the belief that healthcare should not be the prerogative of select nations and regions, or classes. It should be given to all who need it.[9][10][11][12] IMR enhances health care for underdeveloped communities through services provided in collaboration with doctors and professional partners.[13][14] IMR provides free health care services, and supplies to communities who are poor, ill and sick, and have any kind of disease. IMR begins each clinic with team members to foster community development and interaction and to proceed through pre-arranged logistics.[15][16][17][18]
Mission
IMR offers medical services and sustainable health education to all vulnerable and underserved communities around the globe. IMR focuses on improving the health and quality of life of those underserved populations that are most in need. IMR is a global nonprofit healthcare provider that sustains and enhances global community health by offering them compassionate, responsive, quality healthcare services and training.[19][20][21][22][23]
Operations
International Medical Relief helps in the well-being of communities that are underdeveloped through needed services provided by doing a collaboration with partners.[24][25][26][27][28]
Health Care Services
IMR provides free healthcare medicines, services, and as well as supplies to underserved communities, especially to the communities of sick, frail, and poor people who are at a major risk of illness, poor health, and different diseases.[29][30][31] To foster the interaction of community and as well as development. IMR starts each clinic with the help of team members and introduces them to other members and community leaders.[32][33][34][35]
Sustainable Community Health Education
IMR's each clinic includes basic health education according to the specialties and skills of the IMR volunteers, as well as the needs of the local people. When communities become empowered to take health and wellness issues into their own hands, they become self-sufficient. IMR provides learning opportunities for the local communities through classes and hands-on learning to sustain their well-being beyond a visit.[36][37][38]
Current operations
editInternational Medical Relief works in 78 countries in Africa, Pan-American, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, providing medical relief, sustainable education, and disaster response. With diligent planning and preparation, International Medical Relief is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.[39][40][41][42]
Disaster response
editInternational Medical Relief has conducted disaster relief responses in over 19 countries, with a team that includes EMTs, doctors, nurses, dentists, and students. These teams reach beyond borders to initiate critical care to the most affected communities. IMR has responded to earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, and volcano eruptions.[43][44] International Medical Relief has also provided disaster relief for people impacted by the following earthquakes: 2008 China earthquake, 2010 Chile earthquake, 2010 Haiti earthquake, April 2015 Nepal earthquake, 2018 Indonesia Lombok earthquake, 2018 Haiti earthquake, and the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. International Medical Relief has provided a response to the following hurricanes: 2019 Hurricane Dorian Bahamas, 2017 Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico, and 2016 Hurricane Otto Nicaragua. Other disaster response efforts include 2004 Banda Aceh Tsunami, 2008 Cyclone Nargis Myanmar, 2011 Libya Civil conflict, 2013 Typhoon Haiyan Philippines, the 2016 Congo Famine, the 2015 Ethiopia droughts, the 2016 Syrian refugee crisis in Greece, 2018 Volcano Fuego eruption in Guatemala and COVID-19 virus pandemic.[45][46][47][48]
References
edit- ^ Mullane Durango, Shannon (July 28, 2020). "Southern Ute tribe to offer free, communitywide testing". Durango Herald. Archived from the original on 2020-07-31. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "MHL - International Medical Relief". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ Kurtz, Adam (October 26, 2019). "Altru doctor experiences 'life-changing event' in providing medical relief to The Bahamas". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ Steelman, Ben. "Wilmington rabbi joined Puerto Rican relief effort". Wilmington Star News. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Dental Association to host Dorian relief event". Eye Witness News. 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ Kurtz, Adam (November 4, 2019). "Doctor with lakes area ties provides medical relief to The Bahamas". Brainerd Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Dental Team Serves Hundreds of Underprivileged People on Trinidad Mission Trip". www.aegisdentalnetwork.com. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Graham, Ruth (2021-10-17). "Haiti News: Missionaries Affiliated With U.S. Aid Group Kidnapped". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ "Loveland Today: A New Decade, Winds and the Robin". Loveland Reporter-Herald. 2020-01-03. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "International Medical Relief Covid Pandemic". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ "HOW TO SPEND IT | Financial Times". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "International Medical Relief To Undertake An Archipelago Wde Health Mission". www.songsaa.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ "Volunteers Venture into Argentina to Provide Dental Care". www.dentistrytoday.com. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ Meyer, Robert D.; Meyer, Diane K. (2020-02-29). "Dental outreach brings fulfillment to life". Journal of Global Oral Health. 2 (2): VII–XI. ISSN 2643-4709.
- ^ Cheng, Melodyanne Y.; Rodriguez, Eunice (2020-11-25). "Short-Term Medical Relief Trips to Help Vulnerable Populations in Latin America. Bringing Clarity to the Scene". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16 (5): 745. doi:10.3390/ijerph16050745. ISSN 1661-7827. PMC 6427795. PMID 30832251.
- ^ "International Medical Relief [Video]". aol.com. Retrieved 2020-11-25.[permanent dead link]
- ^ ""No intimidation, defamation of character will stop me from helping my people" - The Point". thepoint.gm. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "MHL - International Medical Relief". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Giving back on a medical mission to Thailand – Making a Difference". makingadifferencefdn.org. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "International Medical Relief Programs & Reviews". GoAbroad.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "CareerMD | Schedule of CareerMD Career Fairs | CareerMD.com". www.careermd.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Another Opportunity to Make a Difference – Making a Difference". makingadifferencefdn.org. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Giving back on a medical mission to Thailand – Making a Difference". makingadifferencefdn.org. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ "10th Combat Aviation Brigade spouse completes medical mission to South Africa". www.army.mil. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "International Medical Relief | Loveland, CO | Cause IQ profile". www.causeiq.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "International Medical Relief". www.oneworld365.org. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "LaunchGood, the world's largest crowdfunding platform for Muslims". www.launchgood.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Aspen Dental's Argentina Mission Trip | Inside Dentistry". www.aegisdentalnetwork.com. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ "Public Health Group Tours | Worldwide Navigators - Travel with Purpose". Worldwide Navigators. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "International Medical Relief 2018". www.songsaa-privateisland.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ Stepleton, Ian (4 September 2018). "On top of the world: Dentist, kids give back in Nepal during trip of a lifetime". RiponPress.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ Mullane, Shannon (June 10, 2020). "Southern Ute Indian Tribe conducts sweeping communitywide COVID testing". Durango Herald. Archived from the original on 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Tribe wide community testing a success". Sudrum.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Upstate Doctor Goes the Extra Mile to Treat Hundreds After Hurricane Dorian". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "VC nursing programs help Cuero resident live career dream". The Victoria Advocate. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ Redfield, Kari (2020-03-06). "How to have a great medical mission experience". Global Medical Staffing Blog. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Providing Mobile Medical Clinics & Sustainable Health Education to Underserved Communities in 70+ Countries by Slice of Healthcare • A podcast on Anchor". Anchor. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Remote Area Medical brings medical care to the Bahamas". Wvlt.tv. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ Everly, Heidi (2022-07-07). "Nurses Aid Ukrainians Fleeing War | Blog". Aya Healthcare. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "St. Pete hospital worker volunteers helping Ukrainian refugees in Poland". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS). 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "International Medical Relief Partners with LUX MED Group". mail.lelezard.com. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Keith Dmochowski: Berks psychologist heading to Ukraine border to help refugees". news.yahoo.com. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Dental Team Serves Hundreds of Underprivileged People on Trinidad Mission Trip | Inside Dentistry". www.aegisdentalnetwork.com. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "Global First Responder | International Medical Relief". globalfirstresponder.org. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ "International Medical Relief seeking volunteer dentists". www.ada.org. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ "International Medical Relief (IMR) | Helping Worldwide". helpingworldwide.org. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ^ "International Medical Relief/Thailand Gulf 2017". medicalmissions.org. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ Tigas, Mike; Wei, Sisi; Schwencke, Ken; Roberts, Brandon; Glassford, Alec (9 May 2013). "International Medical Relief - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
External links
edit- International Medical Relief – Official Website