April 25, 2017

John Thompson, M.D. '59, and Betty Thompson, M.D. '59, speak with effusive fondness about the five mission trips they made to the Kijabe Medical Center in Kenya between 1998 and 2002.

Both had retired by then – John from 22 years of orthopedic surgery and Betty from 26 years of teaching in the OHSU School of Medicine's Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.

After they could no longer travel, the Thompsons created the Betty B. Thompson Endowment Fund, which pays for medical students and anesthesiology residents who have an interest in global health and careers in anesthesiology to go on a medical mission.

"The Thompsons have made a significant contribution to people's lives through the care they provided on their own medical trips," said Berklee Robins, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, OHSU School of Medicine. "More significant, however, and more enduring, is the impact of what they've allowed others to do."

"Our motivation is entirely faith-based," Betty said. "As it says in Matthew, 'Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

Learn about the Lovejoy award.

Written by Amanda Waldroupe for Bridges magazine.