2012 brings the promise of change for Medical Teams International

International (MTI/MNN) ― Medical Teams International is gearing up for some big changes in 2012.

Aside from expanding their work with partners, president and chief executive officer (CEO) Bas Vanderzalm is retiring this summer. He will step down as CEO on June 30, 2012, but will stay on as president through June 30, 2013.

As president, Vanderzalm will continue leading teams to the field and spreading the word about the mission of Medical Teams International.   

Although he's been working with Medical Teams International since September 15, 1997,Vanderzalm has worked with other like-minded groups for four decades. With the breadth of his experience, the ministry has grown to be one of the most respected Christian global health agencies in the country.

Each year, more than 2,000 volunteers serve in support of Medical Teams programs, and they've sent more than $1.5 billion in humanitarian aid around the world.

To ensure the organization continues to build, Jeff Pinneo steps in to replace Vanderzalm, effective July 1, 2012. The board members' announcement follows a year-long planning and recruitment process.

Pinneo is the retired CEO and president of Horizon Air and is familiar with the work of Medical Teams International. Together, he and Vanderzalm will smooth the transition into the July 1 effective date.

Medical Teams International has a great history of delivering health solutions through the strength of their staff, partners and volunteers. Pinneo's compassion and skills match the mission of Medical Teams International as they demonstrate the love of Christ to those who are affected by disaster, conflict and poverty around the world.

Not surprisingly, Pinneo witnessed the impact of the ministry's global health programs through the experiences of his wife, Janey Pinneo. She's served as a volunteer since 2005 with Medical Teams International, providing her skills as a registered nurse on seven different volunteer teams in Uganda (3 teams), Haiti, New Orleans (Hurricane Katrina) and El Salvador.

Pinneo's own history with Medical Teams International stretches back to 2006, when he began volunteering and eventually served on its board in 2008. He retired last year after 29 years with Horizon Air and its sister company, Alaska Airlines.

"The staff and volunteers of Medical Teams International have earned their reputation as one of the world's leading global health and disaster response organizations," Pinneo said. "It will be my privilege to lead and serve them as they further extend their reach and impact to the benefit of the world's most marginalized people."

Medical Teams International launches a busy year

International (MNN) ―Medical Teams Internationalhas wasted no time moving forward in the New Year.

This week, they already have six mission teams on the ground in Cameroon, Cambodia, Guatemala and Uganda.

Teams have also already sent out supply shipments to Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Libya, Pakistan and Sudan. And there are 29 dental clinics scheduled this week in Oregon, Washington and Minnesota, as well as continued response to disasters in East Africa, Haiti, Japan and Libya.

With the amount of work they do, it's no surprise someone has to coordinate it. Medical Teams International has an urgent need for a long-term volunteer in Haiti. This extended term volunteer (ETV) will help the Medical Teams International Haiti field office staff in project planning, reporting, communications, and field support to visiting volunteer teams.

This 12-month volunteer should also know French fluently because he/she will be working on a daily basis with Haiti staff, volunteers, and project beneficiaries in the Canaan Internally Displaced Persons camp, the Beraca Hospital, the La Coma health outpost, and the Advantage Rehabilitation Therapy Clinic. 

Medical Teams International takes groups to communities where health care is unavailable in times of disaster. They are also sent to help improve and expand the capabilities of local health professionals.  Because of the expertise needed, they are looking for physicians, nurses, and assistants who can treat sick and injured people in crisis.

Skilled workers are sent in teams to improve living conditions in situations where people are suffering from lack of water, sanitation, food and other basic necessities. Work teams may do everything from building clinics and latrines, to digging wells, to installing cooking stoves or to addressing other community health construction-related needs.

The teams demonstrate the love of Christ to people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty. Their hope is to help build a faith-based global health movement to save lives and transform people through the power of Christ's love. Check our Featured Links section for more details on how you can get involved.

Good news from the flood front in Pakistan

Pakistan (MNN) ― Flooding in Pakistan affected over 5.4 million people in the early autumn of 2011. The rain may have died down a while ago, but recovery is far from over.

Operation Mobilization has had teams working hard in Pakistan for years. They responded to the generous flooding in 2010 and have been responding to this year's crisis as well. Despite the extremely hard work that goes into the relief, the OM teams have been making significant progress.

The absence of rain has helped in numerous ways. Due to houses collapsing and flooded land, people were moved, many to live temporarily by the roadside in makeshift shelters. But OM reports that now 60% of the people have returned home to prepare their lands for crops where the water has gone down, and to attempt to rebuild their houses.

The fact that homes are no longer empty has no doubt made work easier for OM teams, which have been entering villages to help with numerous small projects.

The work OM teams are doing is widespread. An opening ceremony was recently held to celebrate the successful installation of a hand pump at a school. On a slightly smaller but still important scale, team members were also able to distribute "jompy" water boilers this week, which will help kill unhealthy germs and also save fuel for villagers boiling water.

The teams have already distributed food, mosquito nets, and medicine for animals. Now they are holding six medical camps in different locations. 368 people have received checkups, and basic medicine has been provided in three different locations so far. The aim is for these camps to help particularly poor people to recover. Winter distribution of essentials like blankets is planned as the weather gets colder. Rebuilding work on damaged houses is set to begin in January.

Throughout their work, OM has been able to visit many different tribes, particularly Hindus. Watching the teams' care through relief activities has made individuals increasingly more open to listen to the Gospel, OM reports.

Work is far from over in Pakistan recovery efforts, but the Lord is using OM every step of the way. To learn more about OM Pakistan, click here.

Orphan Outreach team in Guatemala as floods kill 13 nearby

Mission Network News: "Guatemala (MNN) ― Tropical depression "12-E" has slammed Central America with heavy rains and is responsible for at least 13 deaths in Guatemala already.

President Alvaro Colom reports that at least four of those deaths were a result of electrocution. Others drowned, or were caught in mudslides."

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