Our History
This is a basic account of how the organization was formed and the activities at various sites have evolved.
- 1996 first team to Antigua sent by Poco a Poco. This was
spearheaded by Dr. Jill Sampson in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island. Nine volunteers from
Kamloops joined with others from Edmonton, Victoria, Nanaimo and
Surrey for a 3 week mission doing general surgery.
The volunteers suggested that each community organize their own teams under the banner of Poco a Poco. These groups were from Edmonton, Kamloops, Surrey, Victoria and Nanaimo. As of 2010 the two remaining groups are Medicos en Accion (formerly Poco a Poco) and Health for Humanity in Surrey. - 1997 Edmonton organized their own team and invited Elsie to travel with them. This was a valuable trip to learn about organizing such a complex event.
- 1998 Kamloops organized a team and has continued to do so ever since. At this time gynecology was added to the team.
- 1999 This was the first year ENT joined the mission in Antigua with Dr. Norm Weir. He may have been the first ENT surgeon going to Hermano Pedro hospital.
- 2000 Addition of the hearing clinic in Antigua. Used hearing
aides were refurbished and given to needy patients. Leanne and
Calvin MacKenzie drove their 'Greyhound' size bus to Guatemala and
were able to bring large amounts of supplies for the mission. This
year there was a huge construction project for a workshop for
Transitions and some of the volunteers worked along with Rotary
members from Qualicum Beach.
By this time Jill Sampson was taking 3 teams to Hermano Pedro, back to back, as was getting weary from the 6 week mission. - 2001 Jill decided to take one team with a combination of
volunteers from various places. Four or five members were from
Kamloops. "
By the end of this mission Jill decided to retire from a main organizing role and encourage the individual communities to organize their own societies. It was later that year that Norm Weir called a meeting of former Kamloops volunteers to talk about forming a new society. Thus, Medicos en Accion was born. First executive members were Norm Weir-President, Allan Frissell,-VP, Sharon Frissell-Secretary, Elsie Griffiths-Treasurer, Ruth Moen-Fundraising, and Maureen Murphy-Recruiting Officer. In September the first fundraiser dinner/auction raised $5000 which was much appreciated. - 2002 First Medicos en Accion mission. Dr. Jon Just joined the group and has stayed on as a driving force to engage in new territories.
- 2003 Dr. Brian Poelzer took a medical team to Panajachel.
- 2004
- 2005 First trip to Patzun with general surgery and Jon Just.
This first trip was limited to hernia repairs and getting the OR
theatres up to speed.
Construction of new OR theatres at Hermano Pedro were underway so there were only 2 OR's available that year. Medicos en Accion donated $10,000 towards the construction costs and the name of the organization in on a wall with other donors. - 2007 Construction of OR's complete in Antigua with 4 new theatres for use. Patzun had an addition of a gynecologist for the first time.
- 2008 Patzun had 2 gynecologists for the two weeks but only 8 patients that year.
- 2009 Jon started doing endoscopies in Patzun.
- 2010 A large team was sent to Antigua but most of the
volunteers were from other communities. Patzun had general surgery
and gynecology. This would be the last year a team would go to
Patzun for the foreseeable future. Other teams will continue to
offer Patzun medical services.
There was no medical team to Panajachel. - Medicos en Accion has been asking Hermano Pedro to build a sound proof hearing testing booth. Plans were drawn up and the cost of $11,000 was offset with a donation of $5000 from Medicos en Accion.
If anyone has any more information regarding the history of the society please forward an email and it will be added.