This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Volunteers from the United States commit thousands of hours in medical missions annually to people across the globe. I’ve led volunteers to Nigeria for 10 years. How to provide sustained health care services over the long haul is our most difficult challenge. A shift from short-term to long-term provision of health care services is needed. Fully engaging the next generation of adults in the United States and the recipient countries is the key to this effort. Their openness to cultural diversity and fresh ideas will be critically important to ensuring sustainable health care.



Ukamaka Oruche (Indianapolis, IN, USA) is an assistant professor of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. She is a clinician, educator, and researcher with a special interest in improving the mental health of children and their families.

Since 2004, she has codirected a transformative community health service project that she founded in Southern Nigeria. Harnessing the support of family, friends, and organizations, she and her team have served over 100,000 patients, providing over $60,000 worth of medications and medical supplies while promoting goodwill among volunteers from Nigeria and United States. The program has inspired a commitment to community service among its volunteers and has contributed to the preparation of the next generation of health care providers.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)