ELLIJAY, Ga. – Compassus has selected Carl McCurdy, M.D., of Jasper to join a team of medical volunteers to assist Living Hope, the company’s sister hospice program in Cape Town, South Africa, on a mission trip August 12-20. The Compassus team, which includes two physicians, five registered nurses, two certified nursing assistants, a social worker, volunteer coordinator and chaplain, is spending a week in Cape Town educating and assisting the Living Hope staff.
“Americans are blessed with resources that most of the world’s population cannot imagine. It will be very helpful for me to learn from those who are making a difference in their patients ‘ lives without access to the kind of medicines and technology we take for granted,” said McCurdy, medical director of Compassus – Blue Ridge, about his opportunity to participate.
Through a partnership started in 2011, Compassus donates monetary aid, medical supplies and healthcare expertise to support Living Hope’s healthcare and hospice services in the impoverished township communities of Cape Town.
Living Hope, a ministry-based nonprofit, offers healthcare services, counseling and education to more than 200,000 underprivileged residents. Living Hope’s programs focus on improving general health and hospice care, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and economic empowerment. Living Hope provides healthcare for more than 36,000 South Africans annually through in-home visits, medical clinics and a 22-bed inpatient hospice center.
Compassus supports Living Hope in three ways: funding, education and hands-on medical assistance. The company matches voluntary employee donations to the dollar every year and also assists Living Hope with necessary medical supplies and equipment.
“As members of the hospice team, we have a calling to deliver compassionate care not only in our local communities, but also to those around the world. This partnership allows us the opportunity to do both,” said Dan Bonner, executive director of Compassus – Blue Ridge. “We are proud of Dr. McCurdy and his fellow volunteers for embarking on this journey to help the sick and impoverished people of South Africa, and look forward to hearing about their experiences and how we can use what they learned on their trip here at home.”
For more information about Compassus — Blue Ridge, visit compassus.com/blue-ridge or call (706) 635-1060.
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