Members’ Generosity Touches Lives a World Away

Following crises in our lives, many of us simply want to move on—put the incident behind us and forget it ever happened. In other cases, however, crises can produce some truly laudable deeds. Such was the case for members Roy and Tija Moss when fate introduced them to John Freedman, MD, chief, Anesthesiology. It all began after the 2002 birth of the Moss' second child by emergency Caesarean section. Extremely grateful for Dr. Freedman's outstanding care during and after surgery, the couple wanted to show their appreciation.

"His efforts were exceptional, so we wanted to do something really special for him," says Roy Moss. "We asked the hospital staff for information about his interests, but our initial ideas seemed inadequate."

Dedication to Medicine

The Moss' gratitude and determination to show their appreciation in a meaningful way eventually blossomed into something much bigger. During their search to understand Dr. Freedman's dedication to medicine, Roy and Tija Moss discovered that Dr. Freedman's dedication takes him far beyond providing excellent care to his Kaiser Permanente patients—literally!

The Moss' learned that Dr. Freedman has long been involved in overseas medical projects in the developing world. A year treating and studying bacterial meningitis in Brazil between his internship and residency sparked a lifelong desire to travel and support medical care in developing nations.

Often accompanied by his family, he continues to travel, absorbing the nuances and textures of many cultures and contributing his skills and/or needed medical supplies and educational materials in the process. By 1999, leaving his professional imprint wherever he visited had become such a passion, Dr. Freedman decided to found Medical Exchange International (MEI) in order to raise awareness and encourage others to join in his effort to support health care in developing nations.

Through MEI, he connects with medical peers in other countries who identify specific health care needs in their area. Dr. Freedman then develops small scale projects to address these needs. He tracks down supplies and medicines, obtains needed textbooks and other medical educational materials, arranges travel for the necessary medical providers, and either arranges for or personally delivers the materials
and personnel wherever required.

Wanting to learn more about MEI, Tija Moss searched for, but could not locate a Web site for the organization. This is because Dr. Freedman spent every spare minute and every dollar donated on medical projects. Her persistent research finally yielded an article about MEI that prompted the couple to reconnect with Dr. Freedman and attend one of his informational gatherings following his Vietnam trips.

Exceptional Gift of Gratitude

The meeting underscored for the Moss' that Dr. Freedman's medical career is integral to his life's purpose, not a separate aspect of it. They realized that MEI should have a Web presence—and the couple finally found the perfect way to thank Dr. Freedman. The Moss' hired a Web site design firm to put Dr. Freedman's organization online.

The couple continues their generous support by paying for MEI's monthly server fees. Projects listed on the MEI Web site today number several dozen. They include delivering prenatal vitamins with folic acid to prevent cleft palate to Mexico; providing surgical and anesthesia supplies for the Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology in Hanoi; organizing the first Cuba-USA Anesthesiology Symposium in Havana; and shipping medical textbooks and equipment to Raratonga Hospital in the Cook Islands. Roy Moss says he's always been pleased with Kaiser Permanente, but the friendship and important cause he now supports through Dr. Freedman have added a new dimension.

Will he ever travel with MEI?

"I'm more comfortable signing a check than taking a puddle-jumper into some remote area," says Mr. Moss. "John always writes a personal letter telling us exactly where he's been and what he's accomplished with each donation."

"Roy and Tija Moss have been very generous to MEI, and I'm pleased to say we've become good friends," adds Dr. Freedman. "The Web site is the gift that keeps on giving because it helps us get more people involved in our work. I really think of this wonderful happening as a tribute to them. They are very special people, and I think their support of MEI and how they came to do it is heartwarming. It's a story about them and about what amazing members Kaiser Permanente has."

You can support Medical Exchange International

MEI's very minimal administrative costs are paid by the Moss family and Dr. John Freedman. All donations go directly to services and supplies.

• Monetary donations, or donations of equipment and supplies, are always appreciated.
• Volunteer to travel to a host country to deliver supplies/services through the Health Care & Society Tours.
• Join one of MEI's Hikes for Health Care to learn about a specific project while enjoying the beauty of Sonoma County.

For information or to make a tax deductible donation:
www.medicalexchangeintl.org
Medical Exchange International
2736 Treetops Way
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
daktari@mail.com