MDNews - Long Island

2 4❱❱❱❱❱ S P E C I A L F E A T U R E BY K ATY MENAƒBERKLEY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS HAVE LONG FACILITATED PHYSICIANS' PROVISION OF PHILANTHROPIC MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER SERVICES IN AREAS IMPACTED BY DISEASE, POVERTY AND WAR. THE PROVIDERS COME from myriad backgrounds: They are anesthesiolo- gists, surgeons, OB/GYNs, psychiatrists and practitioners from virtually every other field. They treat patients in desper- ate circumstances and provide other volunteer ser vices, while a lso draw- ing attention to large-sca le tragedies resulting from political upheaval, natural disasters or other factors. In recent decades, estimates of physicians who provide some form of charitable care have ranged from approximately two- thirds to well over three-quarters. Here are the stories of three physicians who have made providing medical care and other assistance to underserved groups at home and abroad a part of their lives. PHILIP HALL, MD: A PASSION TO HELP A private practice a nesthesiolog ist in Lexing ton, Kentucky, Dr. Ha ll has spent more than three decades prepar- ing patients for surgery and working to relieve their pain through modern medicine. The past severa l years, he has felt moved to provide similar care to people living in sometimes primitive and often dangerous environments. Dr. Hall's journey with philanthropic c a re b ega n w it h a m i s sion t r ip t o Guatemala eight years ago — an experi- ence that sparked a passion for providing medical care to underserved populations. "I enjoyed the experience in Guatemala and began to think about doing more of that type of work and to do research on l i ne t o f i nd or ga n i z a t ion s t h a t might be able to provide longer-term placement," he says. "Doctors Without Borders appealed to me because of their philosophy and widespread involvement in diƒerent areas of the world." Established in France in 1971, Doctors Without Borders today is an international organization that provides assistance to people in distressed regions. Through his a ¬liation with the organization, Dr. Hall has cared for patients in Nigeria, South Sudan and Syria. At times, he has administered anesthesia as bombs were falling behind him. "In Syria, I got used to hearing the rockets ever y day ...," he says. " The a rea where we were working was in great turmoil." Physicians Find Fulfillment in Charitable Care Giving and Receiving:

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