Volunteer Reflection: Nurse Barbara Dehn - Vice President of Women's Healthcare at Peppy and FAME Board Member
Nurse Barb, as she's affectionately called, has been coming to FAME for seven years. She first learned about FAME from a friend who donated supplies and knowing that Nurse Barb was interested in global health, encouraged her to check out this hospital in northern Tanzania that practiced sustainable healthcare.
“My first impression of FAME, once I arrived, was that staff members were incredibly resourceful. They could do life-saving work that we can only do in an intensive care unit in the United States. They managed to care for complex patients with few resources but with much knowledge, care and diligence. Despite the sometimes difficult conditions, the staff remained smiling, collegial and always in a good mood. They would take my hand at tea time and ask if I had taken chai [tea].”
Nurse Barb has been back five times since joining the FAME board four years ago.
“When Dr. Frank and Susan honored me by asking me to join the board, there was no question that I wanted to be more involved and was ready to do everything needed to support FAME’s vision. So I rolled up my sleeves and got down to work.”
As a volunteer, one of Nurse Barb’s responsibilities was to train the Tanzanian staff.
“It’s been beyond inspiring because everyone wants to learn. The staff is hungry for knowledge and eager to ask about topics they want to learn. Whenever I come to FAME, I do not presume to know what people want to learn; I discuss it with the team and design a program suitable for them.”
Training, however, did not end in the classroom.
“I would sit in a department, for example, the Reproductive and Child Health Clinic (RCH) and the staff would ask me questions as situations arose. They were willing to acknowledge things they were unfamiliar with or had not learned. I was very respectful as I was a visiting guest. The staff had enormous amounts of knowledge that I did not know and they were always generous with teaching me all sorts of things. It's truly a collaboration. I have learned so much from the FAME staff.”
Nurse Barb advises would-be volunteers to step back and observe while listening twice as much as they speak.
Since she started coming to FAME, Nurse Barb has been purview to FAME’s incredible growth, which has happened without compromising the quality and efficiency of care provided. FAME has ensured hospital processes are working at full capacity before expanding and taking more responsibility.
“The COVID-19 response was extraordinary and helped cement FAME as a sustainable model that doesn't need volunteers to save the day. The FAME staff responded to the global pandemic and implemented solutions that worked. Egbert [head of pharmacy] created non-rebreather masks from locally available materials. At FAME, I have witnessed ingenuity, creativity, initiative and the drive to make Karatu safer and healthier.”
Nurse Barb talks about FAME’s social workers and their work.
“FAME social workers inspire me. How they handled the rabies case was impressive. They speak multiple languages, ensuring that all patients are treated with the same level of respect as everyone else and that language is not a barrier to accessing healthcare. This enforces the egalitarian nature of FAME.”
FAME is always looking for new donors, as our patient fees only cover a fraction of the costs associated with running the hospital. Nurse barb has a message for anyone looking to support FAME.
“At FAME, a little goes a long way. The number of people FAME serves in a year on its budget is remarkable. Talented people are working every day with minimal resources and performing miracles. Your donations help elevate healthcare for some of the poorest people in the region!”