World Medical Mission (Fact Sheet)

World Medical Mission, the medical arm of Samaritan’s Purse, sends hundreds of doctors every year to 45 remote hospitals and clinics around the world. In addition to sending doctors, dentists and other medical professionals as volunteers, World Medical Mission serves as a lifeline to dozens of mission hospitals by providing millions of dollars worth of critically needed equipment and supplies.

SHORT-TERM VOLUNTEERS:

Short-term volunteers spend anywhere from two weeks to one year serving at a remote hospital. Volunteers are self-funded and raise financial support to cover the cost of their trip. World Medical Mission assists with all of the logistical aspects of the trip including flights, visas, medical license, in country travel and lodging. Physicians, Physician’s Assistants, Audiologists, Surgeons, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Anesthesiologists, Nurses, Dentists and other medical professionals are all needed as short-term volunteers. World Medical Mission places volunteers at hospitals and clinics in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America and the Middle East. After completing the application process and being accepted to the program, World Medical Mission presents volunteers with different hospitals that need their skill set and then the individual volunteer can choose which location they feel called to serve in. Since 1975, some 10,000 physicians have volunteered with World Medical Mission. Last year, 986 medical professionals served in 34 different countries.

POST-RESIDENTS:

World Medical Mission’s Post-Residency Program is a fully funded two-year program for Christian physicians and their families who desire to do medical missions. Through this program, post-residents work alongside veteran missionary doctors, allowing them to hone and develop the skills needed to practice medicine in a developing country. There is a desperate need for medical expertise in the developing world, and the Post-Residency Program trains and equips doctors to work in this setting. After completing the application process and being accepted to the program, World Medical Mission presents the Post-Residents with two different hospitals seeking their particular skill set. The Post-Residents then make the final decision as to where they feel called to serve. Since the 2004, World Medical Mission has placed 127 post-residents in hospitals around the globe. More than 66% of these doctors have chosen to remain in the mission field long-term. In 2016, 19 post-residents began the two-year program.