Volunteer Spotlight – Jean Sims
In this Volunteer Spotlight, we are proud to recognize a familiar face and long-time volunteer, Jean Sims. Not only is Jean our Warehouse Coordinator, she recently won the Medical Missions Foundation’s Nora White Humanitarian Award for Service! How did you first learn about Med Missions? I first learned about Medical Missions Foundation while working in surgery at Olathe Medical Center. During that time, I worked with Terri Sontheimer and Josie Bell, who both participated in Medical Mission trips. I was fascinated by their stories of traveling to other countries to provide surgical care to people who either could not afford healthcare or lived in areas where such services were not readily available. Their experiences deeply inspired me, and for years I asked them to help me join a team so I could be part of providing care to people in this way.  What got you involved for the first time? My parents raised me with a strong value of giving to others. From a very young age, they involved me in 4-H, where I learned the importance of helping others and working to make the world a better place. That desire to serve has stayed with me for as long as I can remember. Once I developed my surgical skills, I realized there was more I could do with them beyond my day-to-day job—I wanted to use them to improve the lives and health of others. I continued to remind and persistently ask Terri for an opportunity to join a mission team. It took years for that dream to become a reality, but I never gave up until I was finally able to be part of a team.  What missions have you been involved with? The first mission trip I went on was April 2023 to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. I have been back to Guatemala every April since. I have also been to Uganda in 2024, and Kenya in January of 2026. I will be traveling back to Guatemala this April. I am looking forward to this trip as I will be helping teach Guatemalan hospital staff members how to set up a sterile field and pass instruments so that they will be able to help assist with C-sections at the hospital, which will be a new service that they hope to be able to provide in the future.  What is a most memorable experience during one of the missions? One of my most memorable experiences was during my very first mission trip. I had the opportunity to work with a young man from Guatemala who was studying to become a nurse. Using Google Translate, I was able to teach him circulator duties in surgery, such as prepping a patient’s skin, performing surgical counts, and even how to scrub in and assist during procedures. On a return trip, I was able to see him again, and he shared that he had decided to continue his education and pursue becoming a doctor. That was incredibly meaningful to witness. I also make it a point to journal during every mission trip. When I reflect on those entries, I often note how critically ill many of the patients are that we help. At the same time, I’m always struck by how fascinating it is to experience the different cultures and customs in each country.  Why do you volunteer? Seeing people who have suffered for years with their symptoms waiting for the ability to get surgery just pulls at my heartstrings. We in America take for granted how easy it is to get care. I am fortunate to possess the skills that give me the ablility to help in many different types of surgeries. To be afforded the privilege of going and giving my time to help is probably one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life.  What advice would you give someone considering joining a mission? Start showing up. Volunteer at warehouse days, fundraisers or just keep on bugging that friend or co-worker to help you get onto a team. No skill is too small. There are many opportunities to learn and many adventures awaiting you when you volunteer for a medical mission. It will definitely be a life-changing experience. One warning I will give to you is once you go on a mission you will want to do more.  Any last thoughts or comments you want to add? I am so thankful for the experiences Medical Missions Foundation has led me to have. The people I have met and worked alongside will be a part of me forever. It amazes me each and every trip to watch a team of people that may not have ever met before come together to improve the lives of those far from home. |