Harry (M.D.) and Echo (PA-C) VanderWal are the founders and executive directors of The Luke Commission, a non-profit organization based in Swaziland, Africa.
In 2002, Harry was graduated from Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. That year he was also inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and received the Psychiatry Clerkship Award as well as the Internal Medicine Award. In 2006, Harry completed the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency program at Wright State. Harry is double-board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
Harry was honored by Wright State University in 2008 as the Young Alumnus of the Year. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Boonshoft School of Medicine.
Echo attended physician assistant school at Kettering College of Medical Arts graduating in 2000. She practiced surgery until the birth of the couple’s triplets and then practiced pediatrics at Star Pediatrics, Xenia. OH.
Both Harry and Echo were graduated with highest honors from Cedarville in 1996, each with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. This fall Harry and Echo were honored by Cedarville University as Alumni of the Year.
The Luke Commission serves on the front lines of the HIV/AIDS and TB pandemics in Swaziland, a tiny country in southern Africa with the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. TLC is registered as a non-profit organization in the United States and Swaziland.
Since lack of transportation is a critical barrier to rural populations receiving healthcare, the VanderWals have developed a mobile medical outreach model to deliver services to remote communities.
At the clinics typically attended by more than 500 patients, The Luke Commission team offers individualized tests for major diseases (diabetes, hypertension, TB, and HIV/AIDS), diagnosis and referrals, and prescriptions with instructions in SiSwati. The VanderWals’ comprehensive approach has encouraged great numbers of Swazis to test for HIV, which carries stigma and fear.
Through the compassionate care clinic model, at least 150 persons test for HIV at each clinic. Those who test positive for HIV are started on anti-retroviral drugs, when indicated, in collaboration with Swaziland’s Ministry of Health.
More than 100,000 patients have been treated by The Luke Commission in 7 years. Another 30,000 with sight problems have received eyeglasses. All-terrain wheelchairs are given to handicapped, as assessed by TLC medical personnel. One million packets of medications have been dispensed. Clothes and shoes have been fitted on 30,000 orphans and vulnerable children.
Harry and Echo live in Swaziland permanently with their 10-year-old triplets Luke, Jacob, and Zebadiah and 7-year-old son Zion.
Harry (M.D.) and Echo (PA-C) VanderWal are the founders and executive directors of The Luke Commission, a non-profit organization based in Swaziland, Africa.
In 2002, Harry was graduated from Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. That year he was also inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and received the Psychiatry Clerkship Award as well as the Internal Medicine Award. In 2006, Harry completed the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency program at Wright State. Harry is double-board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
Harry was honored by Wright State University in 2008 as the Young Alumnus of the Year. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Boonshoft School of Medicine.
Echo attended physician assistant school at Kettering College of Medical Arts graduating in 2000. She practiced surgery until the birth of the couple’s triplets and then practiced pediatrics at Star Pediatrics, Xenia. OH.
Both Harry and Echo were graduated with highest honors from Cedarville in 1996, each with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. This fall Harry and Echo were honored by Cedarville University as Alumni of the Year.
The Luke Commission serves on the front lines of the HIV/AIDS and TB pandemics in Swaziland, a tiny country in southern Africa with the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. TLC is registered as a non-profit organization in the United States and Swaziland.
Since lack of transportation is a critical barrier to rural populations receiving healthcare, the VanderWals have developed a mobile medical outreach model to deliver services to remote communities.
At the clinics typically attended by more than 500 patients, The Luke Commission team offers individualized tests for major diseases (diabetes, hypertension, TB, and HIV/AIDS), diagnosis and referrals, and prescriptions with instructions in SiSwati. The VanderWals’ comprehensive approach has encouraged great numbers of Swazis to test for HIV, which carries stigma and fear.
Through the compassionate care clinic model, at least 150 persons test for HIV at each clinic. Those who test positive for HIV are started on anti-retroviral drugs, when indicated, in collaboration with Swaziland’s Ministry of Health.
More than 100,000 patients have been treated by The Luke Commission in 7 years. Another 30,000 with sight problems have received eyeglasses. All-terrain wheelchairs are given to handicapped, as assessed by TLC medical personnel. One million packets of medications have been dispensed. Clothes and shoes have been fitted on 30,000 orphans and vulnerable children.
Harry and Echo live in Swaziland permanently with their 10-year-old triplets Luke, Jacob, and Zebadiah and 7-year-old son Zion.