Physicians bring peace with care

A retired plastic surgeon gathers volunteers to travel the world, treating patients and educating physicians.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. May 20, 2002.

Community Spirit
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A scene of violent death greeted Charles E. Horton, MD, on one of his early medical missions. The plastic surgeon from Norfolk, Va., was traveling to Haiti with the Rotary Club during a time of political turmoil in the 1960s.

"I flew into the airport, and there were two people hanging who they had just executed," he said. "I didn't want to stay in that area very long, but we were then more committed to try to help."

Sometimes on trips to Haiti, it was a struggle to give medical care to the waiting Haitians. "The hospital didn't have a lot of equipment that was working. We had to bring a lot of things with us," he said.

Despite tough conditions in Haiti, Dr. Horton said he felt he helped people by volunteering his medical skills. He made several trips to Haiti and participated in other medical missions around the world.

His efforts grew, and in 1984, he founded Physicians for Peace. The nonprofit organization sends medical volunteers worldwide to provide medical care, teach the newest techniques to doctors and unite all physicians. It has sent more than 250 medical mission groups to 39 countries, including Haiti, Turkey, Nicaragua and China.

"I hope we planted some seeds that showed Americans are friendly people," Dr. Horton said.

To Dr. Horton, medicine is a way to spread peace around the globe. Thus, the logic for naming his group Physicians for Peace.

"We're really trying to make peace by making friendships," he said.

Offering his medical expertise overseas is a natural extension of the compassion he has for patients here. Why limit a doctor's care and compassion by borders, he reasoned. [...]