Geisinger nurse returns from mission trip to Cameroon
Mercy Ships is an international faith-based organization bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor. Its programs offer holistic support to developing nations striving to make healthcare accessible for all. Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free healthcare services, capacity building and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world.
This was the first time Cathrine volunteered with Mercy Ships and she is planning to make it a more regular venture. While on the Africa Mercy, Cathrine mostly attended to patients to restore function to their limbs. As open flame is the most common cooking method in these areas, accidents often happen. Due to lack of access to healthcare, these burns are not treated properly and as a result, scarring can cause issues with limb mobility. Cathrine also spent some time interacting with the kids at the Hospital OutPatient Extension (HOPE) center.
“I’ve always been passionate about helping others and that steered me into furthering my education in nursing. I am happy that I can serve my local community here through Geisinger and I am also able to extend help internationally through this program. It is very fulfilling to see patients being always thankful to know that they can treated and can resume normal life soon after,” said Fultz.
Cathrine is motivated to share her experience with the hope that more and more people from the community will seize the available opportunities to volunteer and help make someone smile.
“I’m always happy when nurses in my team go on a mission trip. I view it as testimonial of their dedication to caring for patients. Cathrine is an exceptional nurse and I hope that she will be an example for others to follow suit," said Heather Lehman, nursing operations director, Geisinger Western Region Surgical Suites.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
