Angels in Medicine features physicians, nurses, physician assistants and other healthcare workers who reach people without the resources or opportunities for quality care, such as teens, the poor, the incarcerated, the elderly, or those living in poor or war-torn regions.
Featured Articles
Treating Pediatric AIDS Globally
Mark Kline, MD and BIPAI
The children would typically be brought in wrapped in blankets that covered their wasted bodies, near death, malnourished and needing medical attention immediately. They were treated in the hospital for two weeks, survived, got started on treatment, and six months later would be doing well. . . . more
Crutches were everywhere. They were stacked against the walls. They were stacked next to her desk. Every available space was taken. Dr. Maltz's office had become a storage room. It was all for a good cause, and she didn't have any regrets. But something had to be done. . . . more
Operation Smile from a Surgeon's Perspective: Dr. Paul Gardner
"In most of the places we go, people with birth defects are shunned by society. Early on, they become reclusive; they don't get a chance to become normal kids." . . . more
Neglected Tropical Diseases and
Drug Donation Programs:
Successes and Challenges
The successful treatment of onchocerciasis (also known as river blindness), the world’s second leading infectious cause of blindness, illustrates the medical benefits of corporate giving. Merck was the first company to make such a commitment, by donating Mectizan, a human formulation of the veterinary drug ivermectin, for the treatment of river blindness in sub-Saharan Africa. . . . more
Nyaya Health:
Improving Healthcare in Western Nepal
The clinic building is ideally located: it sits above the flood plain, at the end of the only paved road leading into Achham. It was originally a 1200 square foot grain shed. But it was structurally sound, and the owner was agreeable to its transformation. On April 7, 2008 the former grain shed doors opened as a new clinic with a delivery suite, pharmacy, counseling room, procedure room, laboratory and storage room. . . more
Dr. Lanny Smith and Doctors for Global Health
For Dr. Lanny Smith, the pivotal moment came when he traveled to Nicaragua in 1985 with a peacemaking group and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. In a "life-changing experience," Dr. Smith lived with a Nicaraguan family and experienced firsthand the living conditions of poor Nicaraguans, as well as the political climate. "We heard gunfire every day. . ." more
Recent Angel Sightings
Giving the gift of a smile *** Medical Teams International helping with India floods *** Baylor expands its fight against AIDS to Tanzania *** Summer Stories - Daniel E. Rosan, Malawi *** Jet Airways lifts medicine, baby food for valley *** more
Mom, daughter lead Kenyan village in AIDS recovery *** Rwanda: Hospital’s Design Keeps Fresh Air in Mind *** Health gap plagues the rural poor *** more
Addressing Disparities: Resources for Mental Health
If you, a loved one, or your patients experience mental illness, here are some organizations that try to fill in the gap by disseminating information, posting helpful resources, and advocating for proper treatment. more
Rape victims receive support in Congo's war-torn North Kivu
When Marie (not her real name) was working in a field outside her home village in Congo's eastern North Kivu province, a man with an automatic rifle suddenly approached. Paralyzed with fear, the 20-year-old woman was dragged to the ground and brutally raped. After the attack, the man disappeared into the surrounding bush while Marie managed to get dressed and stagger home. more
Donkeys in the Courtyard
from the GAIA Vaccine Foundation blog
We were talking about what Brown University students found when they came to work in the clinic in Sikoro, this summer. Besides the women who were too poor to pay the five dollars to deliver their babies in the clinic, besides the children taking care of children, and besides the lack of clean water and food. . . and they made songs that they sang and the students captured those songs on film. They sang about the children begging on the sidewalks, about the poverty bringing HIV to Sikoroni. more
Angel Videos
"Love is a rain of diamonds in the mind. . ."
from Love is a Rain of Diamonds, by May Swenson
set to music by Vermont composer Gwyneth Walker as part of her Songs for Women's Voices