MISSION DOCTORS ASSOCIATION

When considering working with an organization like Mission Doctors Association (MDA), or any similar mission-based organization, it’s essential to be fully informed and aware of the risks involved, especially when issues like potential illegal and unethical practices arise.

1. Overview of Mission Doctors Association
Mission Doctors Association is an organization that offers physicians the opportunity to work in medical missions in Africa, providing health care in underserved communities. The goal of the association is to facilitate short-term or long-term work for physicians who want to help in regions with critical healthcare shortages. It sounds noble on the surface, aiming to fill gaps in healthcare systems, especially in underdeveloped countries.

However, when engaging with such organizations, it is crucial to assess not only the humanitarian aspects of the work but also the integrity of the organization and how they conduct their operations.

2. Concerns about Deceptive and Illegal Practices
Reports and reviews from former participants and whistleblowers suggest that Mission Doctors Association (MDA) has engaged in practices that are highly concerning:

Phony Work Visas: One of the most alarming aspects of their operations is the reported use of false or misleading information when applying for work visas for physicians. In many cases, this involves misrepresenting job roles, contractual terms, and even the nature of the work being done to secure a visa. This type of activity is not only unethical but also illegal.

Lying on Federal and Foreign Applications: Another disturbing allegation is that the MDA has been involved in submitting false information on various applications, including visa applications, government forms, and foreign work permits. Misrepresentation of facts or lying on official forms can result in serious legal ramifications both in the United States and in the country where the physician is intended to work.

Impact on Medical License: Any physician participating in illegal activities or misrepresenting themselves could face significant consequences from their respective medical boards. This could include revocation of their medical license, suspension, or other forms of disciplinary action.

3. Legal Consequences
Participating in such practices could have devastating consequences on multiple levels:

Domestic Legal Trouble: Physicians involved in deceptive practices may face criminal charges in the United States. This could include charges of fraud, conspiracy, or other related offenses. Convictions could lead to fines, probation, or even imprisonment. Being involved in deceptive or illegal activities linked to medical work can also affect one’s ability to practice medicine in the U.S., tarnishing their professional reputation and career.

International Legal Trouble: Depending on the country where the work takes place, engaging in illegal activities could result in detention, deportation, or imprisonment in that country. Each nation has different laws governing foreign medical workers, and violating those laws could result in severe legal consequences, especially if visas are obtained through fraudulent means.

Irreparable Damage to Reputation: Engaging with an organization involved in such practices can lead to a ruined professional reputation. The repercussions of being associated with fraudulent or illegal activity can be long-lasting and potentially irreparable. Rebuilding trust and credibility within the medical community or even within your personal life may prove impossible.

4. Possible Prison Time
The severity of the legal ramifications can't be understated. While it depends on the specifics of each case, physicians involved in this type of activity may be at risk of facing prison time, both domestically and internationally. Fraudulent visa applications, falsifying medical records or other documents, and misrepresenting oneself on federal and foreign applications can lead to criminal charges in both the U.S. and the foreign country in question.

5. Alternatives to Mission Doctors Association
If you are passionate about providing healthcare in underserved areas but are concerned about the ethical and legal risks associated with MDA, there are many other reputable organizations that provide similar opportunities without these risks. Consider looking into the following alternatives:

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières): Known for its transparency and ethical standards, MSF operates in many countries where healthcare is scarce. They work directly with local governments and institutions to provide care and ensure that all legal and ethical standards are met.

Global Health Partnerships: There are many global health initiatives focused on sustainable development and ethical medical missions. These organizations ensure that all documentation, including visas and work permits, is handled properly and legally.

Non-Profit Medical Organizations: There are numerous non-profits providing medical care in Africa and other underdeveloped regions. These organizations prioritize transparency, following international laws and working with governments to ensure that the mission is carried out legally and ethically.

6. Final Thoughts
Working abroad as a physician is a noble pursuit, and there are countless opportunities to make a significant impact. However, choosing the right organization is crucial to ensure that your work aligns with your ethical standards and does not put your medical career, legal standing, or personal freedom in jeopardy.

Before committing to any mission-based organization, thoroughly research its reputation, read reviews from former participants, and ensure that all necessary documentation is handled transparently and legally. If you encounter any signs of deception or illegality, it is crucial to reconsider your involvement with that organization and potentially report the behavior to appropriate authorities.

Bottom Line: While the desire to help those in need is commendable, working with an organization that engages in deceptive and illegal practices is a dangerous risk to your professional career and personal freedom. Always ensure that the organization you partner with upholds high ethical standards and complies with all legal requirements.

This is a small but thorough and dedicated organization which helps Catholic doctors prepare to work overseas. They offer weekends of discernment and education, placement information, and support. They stay well-informed about the placements and the doctors serving overseas and are ready to help in any way possible. The staff is enthusiastic, realistic, and manages the organization with integrity.

It's nice to see members of a non-profits board of directors write to express support for their organization. Doctors helping others is a very noble cause, and the work that they do is unquestionably compassionate.

Who could ever think that a doctor, nurse or other health care professional offering care and comfort would be considered objectionable.

This organization unfortunately has problems that lie outside of the realm of its physician volunteers.

A colleague of mine asked me to check on this organization as he thought he may have erred in drawing what he felt was a factual observation about this organization.

According to the organizations website and tax returns filed and available through guidestar, it does indeed appear that board members are related to fellow board members.

It also appears that of the VERY FEW employees that are paid by this organization, two of the three are related as Mother and Daughter.

In an earlier post when this topic, as well as political and religious bias, that appears to exist within the management of this organization, a general denial was made about at least some of these facts that are now proven to be true.

From what I can see, this speaks to an earlier review that stated this organization felt closed, politically and religiously biased, (as far as Catholic liberal or conservative teaching), and that its board is made up of related entities. It was even more alarming to see that of the three or four PAID employees that make up this organization, two of them are related.

Not for profit organizations are, of course, free to conduct their own business as they wish. That is what appears to go on here.

Nobody is saying that these doctors and board members aren't good people and trying to do what they can to alleviate suffering in the world. What I am saying is that management should lead this organization to prevent the VERY cloudy way of managing it that seems to be taking place.

Just be honest and hopefully open to some friendly advise.

Why would anyone in their right mind want to donate to this organization until it has fixed some of the problems internally, within management, and of course disavows bias.

I did enjoy reading about the doctors who are board members and serve, as well as the journalist and priest who are so passionate about it. If this organization can fix these problems I think it will be smooth sailing for them ahead.

I have volunteered with ten different nonprofit groups over the last ten years in about fifteen countries primarily providing pediatric health care in third world countries. Some of these groups were religious based and many Catholic organizations.
My experiences with Mission Doctors Association have all been very positive. From first hearing about them on Catholic Radio, to endless communications with the staff, to a weekend retreat in LA, to finally serving in Cameroon, I have found the mission and people involved to be honest, open-minded, and very awe inspiring.
The weekend retreat is a good way to find if this group is a good fit for you and you for them. Here I was able to have the spiritual guidance of a religious brother over the weekend, worship at the LMU chapel together (a truly moving experience), meet some incredible dedicated medical and lay people who have volunteered, and learn about medical missions in general. I was able to ask all my questions and must admit my goal was to not only provide care in a Catholic based environment but provide care to all religions and races. Interestingly enough, one of the speakers at the weekend retreat was a Jewish physician who ran a cliic in South America but we all had the same goals. At the same time, during the weekend I was interviewed by several physicians who had been missionaries where they could see if I would be a good fit for representing the group and making it through a serving in a third world environment while representing the Catholic physician.
My six week Cameroon experience was excellent. The sisters who run the hospital run a type ship as expected but to my surprise the hospital grounds had employees of all faiths, and there were even Islam prayer areas set aside for patients. Mass was offered every day.
In Cameroon, I worked along side two other Mission Doctors. They were saintly Family practitioner volunteer doctors who were on their sixth year serving the poor around the world. In addition there were three African physicians. During my time there I helped train two Belgian medical students, and was sent to a local Baptist Medical Center an hour away to give Grand Rounds and train some of their housestaff physicians.
I would love to do a longterm mission with Mission Doctors but family circumstances limits me to only month long ventures. The ability to continue to do short term missions with them is a real plus for the organization. I recommend them to anyone.

"We at St Francis Hospital Mutolere Uganda are grateful to Mission Doctors Association for the partnership we share. The doctors who come from MDA provide outstanding care to all our patients. They are faithful Catholics and we see that they love God and all his children. We hope to continue our relationship with them for many years."
The doctors who we know that have come here from MDA are the, Pediatrician Dr. Lous Coda ( comes with his wife Martha and children), surgeon Roy Elfrink (came with his doctor wife and their 4 children back in 2009), the OBGYN who just left Ann Marie, the pediatrician Patricia who is here now working with Lou, Dr. Lou, who already has a Ugandan work permit, has come to work as a volunteer pediatrician for four times now! Our local Staff members ( nurses and doctors) enjoy working with MDA doctors. And people from Kisoro -Uganda will always want to know when Dr. Coda is coming back! No wonder, when he is here, he has no time to even eat! – Pontius Mayunga, Hospital Administrator.

I have served multiple times with Mission Doctors Association, both long-term and short-term since 1990, our most recent placement being January through June 2017. My family and I have served in Papua New Guinea, Cameroon, and Uganda. MDA, from the start, has provided us with information and preparation for each site. Multiple placements have been available and MDA helps in suggesting where my abilities and skills best match a given community's needs. During the times we have been overseas we continue to receive support from MDA.
While we have never needed it, we have always known that MDA would give us intense support and help if we encountered an emergency situation while overseas.

My wife and I have participated in a number of the orientation/information retreats; they have been well-organized and provide prospective volunteers with realistic and comprehensive information to help them discern if this type of work is appropriate for them. One of the aspects that we appreciate the most is the emphasis placed on the spiritual dimension of the mission experience.

I would strongly encourage doctors who feel they are being called to this kind of work to contact MDA and explore what they have to offer.

I have been associated with Mission Doctors Association for 20 years, serving alongside my late wife (Kathryn J. Bolton, MD) in Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda and Guatemala. Before our marriage, Kate served in Papua New Guinea and I had the privilege of visiting her there. MDA sends Catholic doctors and their spouses to locations where they serve at the invitation of the local bishop. I've personally seen the good that the orginization does at a wide range of locations. MDA physicians provide medical care to the local community and education in current techniques to local physicians. In several cases we've provided major upgrades to local medical facilities, including the first Emergency Room at one site, and a world-class eye clinic at another. I am extremely proud to be affiliated with this organization, and to serve on its board of directors.

After having interviewed the CEO of this organization to serve, I learned that the Mission Doctors association is more of a "private club" of physicians and donors. The organization, while performing worthwhile services, just doesn't function as a typical not for profit medical services charity.

Politics is a part of this organization. While it is not outwardly stated, it appeared that my conservative views were not looked upon kindly by their CEO. This was the beginning of my review of the organization, its practices, management, etc. My feeling is that if you do not mirror the political views of the organizations leadership, your service to the Mission Doctors may not be well received.

As mentioned earlier in this review, the management and board of directors is compromised of related family members (whether paid or unpaid). While I must presume that all of those involved in this organization do have the best interests of it at heart, it is not healthy to have related spouses, sons/daughters, etc. serving alongside and possibly reporting to each other. It doesn't allow for a practical review of the organization and its mission, etc.

As a son of a non-profit CEO I was always taught as a leader in Christ, you are called to sacrifice, not serve your own best interests . (that seems to possibly be the case here) My Father rested on his faith, meeting for prayer every morning, and God did not fail to provide the needed staff, as well as the constituents of the organization around the world.

I hope this organization has the opportunity to gain perspective through a non-related board of directors and staff. I also hope that political and religiously political views of management can be put in proper perspective. It would seem that keeping an open mind politically and religiously might be more helpful and productive. This organization seems to have some good roots, but at this time at least for me, I am standing back and refraining from serving or donating until they can grow past this phase in their existence.