PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am proud to be serving as your President as DOCARE approaches its 50th anniversary. Dedicated to medical missions - “The World is Our Clinic”.
These are exciting times and in March 2008, the Board held its first ever strategic planning retreat. We discussed a number of key issues important to the future direction of DOCARE, including the expansion of DOCARE missions to such places as Vietnam, India and continental Africa. We also discussed how we can work more closely with the increasing number of colleges of osteopathic medicine who want to provide their students an opportunity to put their skills to use in areas of great need around the world.
I am happy to report we have made significant progress on all fronts. Out biggest challenge on the immediate horizon is staffing and financing more missions. There is a growing group who want to serve on medical missions-we need to match that desire to volunteer with the need for medical care in the areas we serve.
Working closely with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), we have embarked on a new marketing campaign. Out new website is only a first step. We have placed ads and information pieces in the DO Magazine also. Our goal is to let DOCARE’s light shine and inform people of the voluntary medical missions we provide. Additionally, we let them know how important the support of members, such as you, is to continuing the great traditions of DOCARE’s founders in providing basic medical care to those in need.
We are not limited to physicians only. DOCARE welcomes other healthcare providers, mid-level providers, dentists, pharmacists, students and untrained volunteers to participate in our projects. We know many of our supporters never personally participate in a mission. While we thank you and hope you will continue to honor us with your support, I want to strongly encourage you to consider joining us on a mission. If you have the heart to serve those in need, there is a place for you.
If you are interested in participating in any of our upcoming trips, this website provides links to help you contact the mission directors. If you have any interest in developing a new project, feel free to contact me, or our Executive Director Mike Mallie, directly or any of the Board members listed with questions you have about us or for more information on how to get involved. In the words of our founding members, DO JOIN. DOCARE.
Sincerely,
James W. Cole, DO
2008-2009 DOCARE President