(Location: On a train, somewhere in western Siberia) – The 1998 Physicians With Heart Airlift is on its way.
Physicians With Heart is a joint humanitarian venture between the AAFP, the AAFP Foundation and Heart to Heart International. Currently a delegation comprising family physicians, AAFP staff and even a veterinarian are journeying halfway around the world to deliver the philosophy of family practice and medical supplies to Novosibirsk, Siberia, deep in the heart of Russia.
"I'm here because I wanted to come to Russia, but I didn't want to come as a tourist," said Gary Graham, a family practice resident from Utah. "This was an opportunity to do something unique and help people. Sort of a good will gesture toward Russians that Americans support them."
The Trip to Novosibirsk
October 6, 1998
Sandy Panther, EVP of the AAFP Foundation, listens to the memories of former Oberlin College roommates Dick Westerman, M.D., of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Norman Loomis, M.D. The two family physicians independently became interested in the airlift and then challenged each other to take the trip. "And here we are," Loomis said.
(AAFP Photo/Leigh Anne Bathke)
It took the delegation three days to reach Ekaterinburg, north of Moscow. It will take 22 hours on the Trans-Siberian Express for them to reach Novosibirsk.
In the train, the delegation has mixed with Russians from all over the country. At several stops, delegates left the train to sample the fares being offered by local residents. Water "with no gas" is a hot commodity among the delegation. Not as popular is the dried, smoked fish sold at every stop.
The countryside whipping past the windows is nothing like the history books' rendition of Siberian. Although Siberia has long been a land of exiles, the idea of constant cold and snow are myths. Although it is chilly, about 40 degrees, the landscape is full of birch trees turning yellow for fall. Huge hay stacks show where a field of wheat was recently harvested and some of the houses are painted bright blue and green.
There is poverty here as well. According to reports, the harvest was poor this year, the money situation is unstable (15 rubles to $1) and hospitals need the medical supplies and educational materials carried by the delegation.
The train is clean and well-maintained. The delegation is divided among three cars, allowing plenty of opportunity for interaction. Daniel Ostergaard, M.D., AAFP vice president for education and scientific affairs, has led several discussions with the physicians who will be teaching different clinical courses as well as providing information about family practice at Novosibirsk Medical University.
Dan Van Durme, M.D., vice chairman of the family medicine department at the University of Southern Florida, is participating in his second Physicians With Heart airlift.
"I told Physicians With Heart at the end of last year's airlift to the Republic of Georgia that I wanted to go this year," Van Durme said. "Last year was such a positive experience. These people need what we're providing."
Although there are many reasons why Van Durme participates, he said the most important reason is his passion to serve others who have a profound need.
"The people here need pharmaceutical and medical supplies but particularly in our case, there's a strong desire to find out about family practice and the family medicine education process," he said. "I'm excited about playing a role in the restructuring of the Russian health care system into a family medicine model."
-- By Leigh Anne Bathke, AAFP Associate Editor
In the train, the delegation has mixed with Russians from all over the country. At several stops, delegates left the train to sample the fares being offered by local residents. Water "with no gas" is a hot commodity among the delegation. Not as popular is the dried, smoked fish sold at every stop.
The countryside whipping past the windows is nothing like the history books' rendition of Siberian. Although Siberia has long been a land of exiles, the idea of constant cold and snow are myths. Although it is chilly, about 40 degrees, the landscape is full of birch trees turning yellow for fall. Huge hay stacks show where a field of wheat was recently harvested and some of the houses are painted bright blue and green.
There is poverty here as well. According to reports, the harvest was poor this year, the money situation is unstable (15 rubles to $1) and hospitals need the medical supplies and educational materials carried by the delegation.
The train is clean and well-maintained. The delegation is divided among three cars, allowing plenty of opportunity for interaction. Daniel Ostergaard, M.D., AAFP vice president for education and scientific affairs, has led several discussions with the physicians who will be teaching different clinical courses as well as providing information about family practice at Novosibirsk Medical University.
Dan Van Durme, M.D., vice chairman of the family medicine department at the University of Southern Florida, is participating in his second Physicians With Heart airlift.
"I told Physicians With Heart at the end of last year's airlift to the Republic of Georgia that I wanted to go this year," Van Durme said. "Last year was such a positive experience. These people need what we're providing."
Although there are many reasons why Van Durme participates, he said the most important reason is his passion to serve others who have a profound need.
"The people here need pharmaceutical and medical supplies but particularly in our case, there's a strong desire to find out about family practice and the family medicine education process," he said. "I'm excited about playing a role in the restructuring of the Russian health care system into a family medicine model."
-- By Leigh Anne Bathke, AAFP Associate Editor
Novosibirsk 1998
Trip to Novosibirsk
