Mission Predisan and Jackson Healthcare (JH)
Partner for Medical Missions

Alpharetta, GA (June 19, 2009)—Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare (JH), is pleased to partner with Mission Predisan, a Christian, not-for-profit organization, to sponsor two, one week medical brigades to Honduras during 2009.  Volunteer physicians, nurses and allied health professionals provide diagnostic and treatment services to the underserved around the world.

“It was important for us to partner with an organization that operated within the same standards of excellence as JH,” explained Chad Jackson, director of Jackson Healthcare Charities (JHC), the philanthropic arm of JH.  “We have found that in Mission Predisan.”

In November 2008, JHC sponsored the first of its medical brigades to Honduras with support from sister organizations, Locumtenens.com (LT), Jackson & Coker (J&C), Jackson Therapy Partners (JTP) and Travel Nurse Solutions (TNS).  The team treated a young man, Enrique, who experienced complications from a leg amputation following a motorcycle accident.  Following his treatment, he was brought to the U.S. for further care. Visit http://bit.ly/kUkQ3  to view Enrique’s story.

Tasha McElravy, a physical therapist with Jackson Therapy Partners, works with Miguelito in Eastern Honduras during recent medical brigade

During the recent April brigade, Enrique offered assistance as a way of demonstrating his gratitude for the care he had received.  He ministered to the patients who were being prepared for major surgery and comforted them.  The medical team performed more than 40 surgeries, including removing an eight-pound abdominal tumor that may have proved fatal.

LT President, Shane Jackson, and J&C President, Sandy Garrett, echoed support of the Honduras missions saying they are pleased to partner with Mission Predisan to offer their physicians an opportunity to utilize their skills.  By funding their participation, Jackson Healthcare believes its companies have opened a door of charitable work providing physicians, therapists and nurses a tremendous sense of satisfaction in combining their medical skills with expression of their individual faith.

“The two teams sponsored by JHC have been extremely helpful in providing access to quality medical care to those in need in eastern Honduras, despite challenging conditions and high patient volumes” said Martha Rivera, executive director of Mission Predisan. “Our partnership with JHC has provided the opportunity to treat a record number of patients during the last two brigades—ultimately improving their quality of life.”

Jeanne Wiebenga, M.D., visits with a patient who underwent life-changing surgery thanks to the medical brigade.

In an effort to support the interest of international medical missions, JHC has launched www.medicalmissions.org.  The free site allows any chartable organization or medical volunteer to post their needs, available times and requirements in one central location.

“We encourage organizations interested in sponsoring medical missions to post their needs at www.medicalmissions.org ,” said Jackson.  “More importantly, we hope other healthcare providers will join us in partnering with Mission Predisan in service to their mission in Honduras.”