OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE CARDWELLS
Dr. Jared Cardwell obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA and his Doctor of Medicine degree at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA.
Dr. Melissa Cardwell earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Psychology at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, IA and her Doctor of Osteopathy degree at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. Doctors Jared and Melissa completed their medical residency at Via Christi Family Medicine in Wichita, KS. Doctors Jared and Melissa believe Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and they strive to "love God and to love others" (Mark 12:30) through their work. DOCS for Hope allows them to use their talents to share the love of Jesus Christ, who gives eternal life. "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." 1 John 5:11 |
THE EPPERLYS
Drs John and Shea Epperly met at Abilene Christian University. After starting out in different medical schools, they were reunited, married and began their life together during 3rd year medical school at the University of Arizona. They quickly realized that using medicine was a wonderful way to share the love of Jesus Christ. They particularly saw the need for both the gospel, and medicine in the developing world. This need steered them toward "full spectrum" family medicine which equipped them with the widest range of medical training. They ended up training at Via Christi Family Medicine Residency, and completed a year of fellowship in international medicine. Through these training years they developed a strong relationship and vision with lifelong friends, and current board members of DOCS for Hope. They currently enjoy the opportunity and challenges of practicing family medicine, and raising four young children in both rural Iowa, and abroad. They are excited to be a part of this organization, and look forward to seeing how God uses this group in the future!
“ The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” -Matthew 25:40 Follow our blog: http://epperlyadventures.blogspot.com |
THE KLINES
Jack and Ashley met in New Hampton. It wasn’t long before they were in love and then married. Soon, they were on the mission field together, and Ashley quickly came to share Jack’s passion for missions.
Jack grew up in a small town in the appalachians of east Tennessee. Growing up in a medical Christian family, he saw his family’s exceptional care to others. In 1998, he made his first mission trip with his church to Romania. There, he saw a poverty and lack not existent in America. He also saw both a rare hunger for and a desperate need for God. Since then, he knew that mission work would have to be a part of his life. Jack came together with the other members of DOCS as a first year resident at Via Christi. They quickly realized that they all shared a similar passion of serving the the underserved both at home and abroad. Not only did this lead them to develop a year of specialized training for missions but also to practice medicine together. The group then moved to New Hampton continuing their vision. Ashley grew up in Alta Vista, IA and went to school to become a Dental Assistant, and previously worked at Dental Associates in New Hampton. She is currently a stay at home Mom caring for their young sons. Together, they continue to serve with DOCS hoping to help bring medicine and the Gospel to others. "For the love of Christ compels us, because we are convinced that if He died for all then all have died, and He did die for all so that those who have been brought to life in Him should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised." -2 Cor 5:14-15 THE HARMS
Drs. Nathan and Heather Harms met while attending medical school at the University of Nebraska. They were married shortly after graduation and spent 3 years in Grand Junction, Colorado training at St. Mary’s Family Medicine Residency. Both Nathan and Heather have been involved in international mission work throughout their lives and were excited to join their passions for missions and medicine.
The Harms first met the McQuillens on a trip to Guatemala and heard about DOCS for Hope. When the time came to look for jobs following residency, both Nathan and Heather were hoping to find a job that they could continue to do mission work. When the opportunity came to join with DOCS for Hope in their work both in Iowa and in Guatemala, it was as if God hand-picked this job just for them. They are excited to be a part of this group serving God in their medical work in both locations, bringing God’s love to the world. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 |
THE MCQUILLENS
Drs. Paul and April McQuillen met while students at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. They later attended A.T. Still University (Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine) together and were married their first year of medical school. After falling in love with one another, they fell in love with medical mission work during a short trip with CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) to Nigeria back in 2003. Following medical school, the McQuillens trained in Family Medicine at the Via Christi Family Medicine Residency program in Wichita, KS. During residency they met many wonderful mentors and colleagues who would forever change the course of their lives. Among these people were Rick Moberly, John and Shea Epperly, Jared and Melissa Cardwell, and Jack Kline, with whom they now live life and practice medicine.
While receiving a well rounded Family Medicine education in Wichita, the McQuillens and their friends sensed a need for further training for Family Doctors who work on the mission field and are called upon for a broad spectrum of medical and surgical service. After much dreaming and planning, they helped to birth the Via Christi International Fellowship. After a year of fellowship training, the McQuillens moved to rural Iowa along with four of their residency colleagues in order to pursue a unique practice model which would allow for both mission work overseas and care of the otherwise underserved right here at home. Since moving to their new "home town" back in 2010, the DOCS for Hope family has grown (bringing in the Drs. Cardwell, Ashley Kline, Talia Buchsbaum, Drs. Harms, and Pete & Lisa Reicks) and their own family has expanded as well. The McQuillens came to New Hampton, Iowa as a family of three and have since become a family of seven. Dr. Paul enjoys working with friends in a busy family practice when not on the mission field and Dr. April works at the clinic a few days a month and the rest of the days she stays home with the little ones. Their house is full of joyful noise and busy little bodies who keep them on their toes! The McQuillens are passionate about serving the Lord and serving people and feel a strong calling to serve the poor. They look forward to seeing how the Lord will use their family and DOCS for Hope in the future! " Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." - Psalm 127 Follow our blog: http://www.mcquillensforhope.blogspot.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTORTHE REICKS
Lisa Reicks is our Executive Director and is a lifelong resident of the Lawler/New Hampton area. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Business Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Management from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA. She has a passion for helping others by volunteering her services. In addition to being the Executive Director, she does the accounting services for her brother’s business and is the secretary/treasurer for the Friends of Mercy, New Hampton, IA. In her free time, she likes to relax by taking walks, knitting, mowing lawn or baking.
Pete, her husband is also a lifelong resident of the Lawler area. They are parents to four children and have eleven grandchildren. Together they spend a lot of time with their children and grandchildren by trying to attend the majority of their grandchildren’s activities. |