December 1, 2009

As you reflect on 2009 and give thanks for the blessings you have, please consider making a donation to Health for Humanity.

This year, Health for Humanity has a lot to be thankful for.

• With the help of our volunteers and supporters, we trained over 300 physicians in Mongolia and China.
• We witnessed the incredible growth and transformation of our 2 ophthalmologic fellows at Aravind Eye Institute in India.
• We forged partnerships with local organizations, health care professionals, and students who are committed to improving health around the world.
• We were selected as one of 40 finalists out of 700 applications in the University of Chicago’s New Science of Virtues grant competition to study the effects of values-based leadership and virtues development on medical training in Mongolia.
• We launched a new and improved interactive website, including a blog, to keep our supporters connected and informed.

As you contemplate the impact of your gift, consider the unique contribution of Health for Humanity:

• We work to enhance the quality and availability of health services in underserved communities by sharing medical knowledge and skills.
• We believe that the best way to be of service is to help others help themselves, so they can build sustainable capacity.
• We are ahead of the curve.  In 2008, the World Health Organization identified a shortage of capable healthcare workers as one of the most critical constraints to the achievement of international development goals and called for urgent action to train medical workers.  Health for Humanity has been doing this for almost 18 years.
• We have evolved, incorporating lessons learned into more effective training.  We created our values-based leadership program with the belief that health care personnel need more than just clinical expertise in order to provide high quality medical care—they also need the skills to be effective communicators and leaders.  Research on Health for Humanity’s values-based leadership program has shown that it leads to better outcomes for patients and more effective and satisfied health care professionals.

Over the next year, Health for Humanity plans to explore efforts for improving the health of women and children in the area of preventable blindness.  Our staff and Board are working with Interim Executive Director Corinne Pierog to further refine and improve our model of sustainable health through values-based leadership that has evolved from Health for Humanity’s seventeen years of service.

As the season of giving approaches, we at Health for Humanity are reminded how grateful we are to have such wonderful friends. Due to your generosity, our medical volunteers have been able to share their knowledge with their colleagues in China and Mongolia, so that in turn, they can empower their community with the gift of good health.

Today, the communities and families served by Health for Humanity have been given a chance to become strong and self-reliant for themselves and for their children. Think of the smile of a mother when she is able for the first time to see her child’s face. What more miraculous present to give than the gift of sight.

Our world is truly made of one family, because a friend like you cared enough to make a difference.  Please help Health for Humanity as we work to train health professionals in underserved communities so they can help those who so desperately need it.

Thank you for sharing your blessings.

Sincerely,

Stephen O. Jackson
2009-10 Board Chair
Health for Humanity