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Medex International (MEI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonsectarian medical and veterinary aid organization. We provide health care to some of the world’s most underserved people and animals. We travel to remote regions of the world and bring medical care to people in developing countries as well as rural areas of more advanced nations. Health care in these areas is generally deficient due to lack of health resources and/or lack of means.
MEI works with a variety of government, religious or lay leadership in the areas we serve. Each team may include physicians, dentists, veterinarians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, as well as non-medical support volunteers. These teams provide medical care, medications, medical equipment and supplies, medical training and health education.
All members of the medical team volunteer their time and pay their own travel expenses. In fact, every single MEI professional, including our office staff, is a volunteer. We also receive medications and supplies from generous pharmaceutical organizations, healthcare organizations and individual donors.
Board Members
Rachel Friday, MPH, MA, RD – Director
Rachel has worked in the field of nutrition for several years, in private practice, research and teaching. Her education includes a BA in English Literature and an MA in Psychology from the University of Alabama and an MPH in International Health from Emory University. She is a Registered Dietitian. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica, Rachel has lived, worked and traveled extensively overseas. She has led medical missions to India, Peru, Ecuador and China and is particularly excited about extending services to promote animal health and well-being in the developing world.
Rinku Chatterjee, MD is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. She is a Diplomat in the American Board of Internal Medicine, received her MD from Tufts University and completed her internship and residency training at Emory University. In addition to her practice, she is actively involved with teaching medical students and training interns and medical residents at Emory. She has participated in multiple medical volunteer projects overseas, including work in several parts of India and Ecuador.
Louis P. Fuerstman, MD practices Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics in Georgia. A graduate of Emory University School of Medicine, he is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics. During the course of his career, Lou has served as physician for Cambodian refugees in Thailand and has volunteered for several health projects in India. Lou also has an interest in Hospice and Palliative Care. He is especially enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as team leader for MEI's current project in India.
James D Hull III MD is a board certified general surgeon, retired from private practice. A graduate of the University of Chicago School of Medicine, he completed a rotating internship and general surgical residency at the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. He practiced initially in Morehead, KY where he was also a clinical professor of surgery at the University of Kentucky. In 1979 he moved to Douglasville, GA where he remained in private practice at WellStar Douglas Hospital until 2003. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Surgeons and is on the Board of WellStar Douglas Hospital. He has served on several MEI teams and has participated in medical trips to Russia.
Tom Key, MBA obtained his BA in Asian Studies (Chinese) and Economics from Denison University and his MBA from Emory's Goizueta Business School. He is currently a consultant with the executive search firm Egon Zehnder International. He is also actively involved with the Goizueta Business School of Emory University and teaches an undergraduate seminar course. Tom is an accomplished photographer, displaying his black and white photography at the Matre Gallery in Atlanta as well as several other galleries nationwide. His work is also part of numerous private and corporate collections. In addition to MEI, Tom is involved with other medical, art and environmental groups. Tom has extensive international and domestic travel experience, both professionally and for pleasure.
John W. Klekamp, MD is a graduate of Mercer University School of Medicine, John completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the Emory Spine Center, and is in private practice in Greenville, South Carolina. He holds positions as an instructor in spinal surgery for Greenville Memorial Hospital Orthopedic residency program and adjunct professor of Biomechanical engineering at Clemson University. His research interests and publications include the areas of total joint replacement, cervical spine surgery, and complex spinal disorders. He has traveled through Latin America, including a recent mission trip to Ecuador and the Amazon River basin.
Chris Krubert MD, MBA is a board Certified Emergency Medicine physician. In addition to practicing emergency medicine, he currently serves as Chairman of Emergency Services for Carolinas Medical Center- Union. Dr. Krubert received his MD and clinical training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago and his MBA from the University of Michigan. He holds the title of adjunct lecturer at Duke University and serves as an expert advisor for Urgent Matters, Heartscape Technologies and Radiant Ventures. He has served on previous MEI medical trips to Ecuador.
Cathy Moore, RN is a registered nurse practicing in Cartersville, Georgia. She is the Practice Administrator for Cartersville Pediatric Associates. Cathy received her degree in Nursing from the University of West Georgia College. She has worked in surgical, neonatal and pediatric nursing, and has served on several medical teams to MEI’s medical site in Ecuador.
Bruce Salzberg, MD is a partner at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates. He received his medical degree from the State University of Buffalo in New York. After completing his training in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, he completed fellowships in gastroenterology at Washington, D.C. Veterans Administration Hospital, George Washington University Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He is a Fellow in the American College of Gastroenterology and a member of the American Gastroenterologic Association, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Liver Foundation. Additionally, he is a member of the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation of America and has served on their board of trustees and medical advisory committee. Bruce also serves as medical director of Southeastern Clinical Research, a division of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates and one of the largest gastroenterological research divisions in the southeast. He has participated in medical missions to China, Vietnam and Thailand.
Alisa Smith, MD is a Forensic Psychiatrist in Conyers, Georgia. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with added qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry. Alisa is a graduate of the University of South Florida College of Medicine. She completed her psychiatric residency and 12-month fellowship in forensic psychiatry at Emory University. She is employed by Georgia Regional Hospital/Atlanta.
Edwin Swords, DDS practices dentistry at Swords and Phelps Dental Office in Canton, Georgia. He received his dental degree from Emory University. He holds memberships in the Georgia Dental Association, American Dental Association and Northwest Dental Surgery Society. He is also on the Board of Directors of Cherokee Bank in Canton. Edwin has participated in numerous medical missions to Peru, Venezuala, Mexico and Ecuador.
John Tarabula, DVM is the owner of the Animal Medical and Surgical Center in Canton, Georgia. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia. His special interests include orthopedics, dermatology and exotic animal medicine. He has been a member of medical teams traveling to Peru and Ecuador.
Ed Wolkis is an Atlanta-based commercial and editorial photographer. He has earned over twenty local, national and international awards while working for clients such as Owens Corning, Delta Air Lines, General Electric, Turner Broadcasting System, WSB-TV, WXIA-TV, WGCL-TV, Dupont, BellSouth, Famous Amos Cookies, Coca-Cola, IBM, The Home Depot, CNN and the Printing Industry Association of Georgia. The China photos are from Ed's trip with us to China in the summer of 2002.
Richard R. Young, MD is a board-certified general pediatrician practicing in Cartersville, Georgia. He is co-owner and founder of Cartersville Pediatric Associates, PC. After receiving his MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine, he conducted his Pediatric internship and residency at Emory University School of Medicine where he was Chief Resident in Pediatrics at Egleston Children’s Hospital. He is currently Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia. He is a member of the Medical Association of Georgia, Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow American College of Pediatricians and Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics. Currently, he serves on Active Staff of Cartersville Medical Center and Courtesy Staff of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He has served on several medical teams to MEI’s medical site in Ecuador.
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