US Ambassador to PNG makes stop at Nazarene Hospital

Kudjip Nazarene Hospital was honored to host US Ambassador Leslie Rowe for a visit this past week. Ambassador Rowe has been in this position since 2006. Dr. James Radcliffe stated that "as far as he can remember Nazarene Hospital has not been visited by a US Ambassador before." Ambassador Rowe said, "that when traveling she tries to meet with the Americans in the area." She went on to say that she, "had heard of Nazarene Hospital and the wonderful work that goes on there long before they came." She was met at the hospital, upon arrival, by Mike Chapman (Project Manager of construction for new hospital), Scot Riggins (Field Finance and Admin.) and Dr. Susan Myers (Director of Medical Services for Nazarene Hospital). Ambassador Rowe and staff members were taken on a motor tour of the Mission Station followed by a tour of the old and new hospital buildings where they greeted and talked briefly to patients. This was followed by a time of refreshments and a Town Hall time of sharing with the US citizens at Nazarene Hospital. A great time was had sharing and listening to Ambassador Rowe share about her time as Ambassador in PNG.

During our town hall meeting Ambassador Rowe stated, that the US Embassy's first priority was the safety of US Citizens living and working within Papua New Guinea. She also shared that she has a heart for the battered women of PNG. She has a great interest in the HIV care of the people of Papua New Guinea and has worked hard to secure medicines that are used to help and treat HIV. Ambassador Rowe shared that one of the high points of her time here in PNG as Ambassador was this past August when the Mercy Hospital ship came into Port Moresby and provided medical care to Nationals in Port Moresby, Central and Oro provinces. The Mercy Hospital Ship was here almost 2 weeks and saw 25,000 patients and performed close to 400 surgeries.

It was a great visit and a privilege to have our US Ambassador come and see the work that goes on here at Nazarene Hospital. I believe that the children and adults alike had a wonderful time meeting and getting to know our Ambassador.

Story and Photos by Jeff Myers
group photo taken by Kim of Embassy staff