The Cultural Connect features AAD Co-founder Rajiv Kumar
Every day, 35,000 children under age five die in the developing world from often preventable illnesses. The world’s most impoverished nations are discovering that it is more and more complicated to educate, attract and hold onto qualified physicians in their communities because wages are so low. As a result, the poor in these countries experience severe hardships due to inadequate health care. This is why an organization like Adopt A Doctor is vital to the survival and well-being of humanity. Rajiv Kumar, 22, is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Adopt A Doctor, an organization dedicated to shaping healthier communities throughout the world by retaining local medical talent. By offering financial assistance and other vital support for physicians in many countries, Adopt A Doctor makes it possible for doctors to remain in their home countries. This week, we salute Kumar and his team at Adopt A Doctor for their dedication, drive and lively spirit in our Non-Profit Spotlight.
Non-Profit
Adopt A Doctor
Founded
June 2003
Website
www.adoptadoctor.org
Name
Rajiv Kumar, Chairman and Co-Founder, 22
Hometown
Glastonbury, Connecticut
Current residence
Providence, Rhode Island
Education
B.A. in Business Economics, Brown University, 2005
Other jobs
Founder & Chairman of Shape Up Rhode Island; President of Providence Internet Group, Inc.
Ethnicity
Indian-American (Punjabi)
About the Non-profit
Adopt A Doctor works to reverse the brain drain that is drawing physicians away from the world’s poorest countries, where they are needed the most. We achieve this goal by providing salary supplements for physicians who in return agree to stay in their home country and continue to practice medicine for at least 7 years.
Most notable achievements
In 2005, I wrote and was awarded a $50,000 grant from Do Something Inc. for tsunami relief efforts. This grant funded an entire medical operation of twenty-five health professionals serving in the rural areas around Aceh, Indonesia for six months. In this time the mobile health clinic treated over 30,000 patients and saved hundreds of lives. They also provide psychological and social counseling and education for hundreds of children who lost their parents and homes in the disaster. Our funding kept the clinic alive when it had no other funding, and now it has been able to secure more permanent resources from other organizations.
What’s the niche?
Some organizations send doctors to impoverished nations for brief stints during emergency situations. While that is certainly a noble undertaking, Adopt A Doctor is pursuing an alternative model that make it possible for these nations to build sustainable health care systems by investing in their long-term medical workforce.
What’s the biggest challenge?
With the international spotlight currently on vaccines and medications for Africa, we are working hard to bring attention to the plight of under-funded doctors who are actually delivering these treatments to patients.
What’s in store for the future?
In the very near future, I am headed to Mali this summer with the GAIA AIDS Vaccine Foundation to enroll doctors in our program and to work with doctors on AIDS-related projects.
In the long term, Adopt A Doctor will continue to enroll new doctors in all of our target countries, expand to new countries, and hopefully secure international support for investing in human resources. We also aim to set up new chapters, possibly at medical schools around the country, to help us in our fundraising and educational efforts.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
I would be thrilled to hear from anyone who is interested in getting involved with the work we are doing by fundraising and raising international awareness about the lack of health care professionals in our target nations. Also, please contact me if you are interested in setting up your own chapter of Adopt A Doctor.
Guiding principle in life
To share with others the gifts with which I have been blessed.
Yardstick of success
I know I have succeeded in my work when the world functions better, more fairly, and more efficiently than when I began.
Goal yet to be achieved
I look forward to the day when Adopt A Doctor is supporting 1,000 doctors throughout the world and other organizations and nations are substantially increasing their support and funding for health care professionals in the world neediest nations.
Best practical advice
The Co-Founder & President of Adopt A Doctor, Hon. Ray Rickman, once told me: “You should almost always let the other person have their way on matters of little significance. That way, on an issue that truly matters, they will let you have your way.”
What motivated you to get started?
When I learned about a doctor in Malawi who earns just $70 US per month and whose meals consist of a bowl of soup because he cannot afford more, I knew that something must be done if we truly wish to eradicate death from preventable diseases in the world’s poorest nations.
What keeps you motivated?
I am energized to continue my work by learning that a mother with AIDS and her child received the medical care they needed because I sent a modest $100 check to a physician in Mali.
“I know I have succeeded in my work when the world functions better, more fairly, and more efficiently than when I began.”
Like best about what you do
As a student of economics, I enjoy watching the power of the American dollar to effect dramatic change in other parts of the world. I am stunned that $100 per month often doubles or triples a doctor’s salary, and I love that we are enabling doctors to continue treating their patients on a long-term basis.
Like least about what you do
I am always hesitant when answering surveys like this one, because my parents taught me to be humble in everything that I do.
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Since I was 6, I’ve wanted to become a respected medical doctor, just like my mother.
Biggest pastime outside of work
I generally like to fill my free time by attending classes and studying at Brown University Medical School.
Person most interested in meeting
I am most interested in meeting with Bill and Melinda Gates so I can ask them personally to fund Adopt A Doctor and bring worldwide attention to the plight of doctors in developing countries. They have now become the greatest philanthropists in the history of the world, and I know they will take in interest in investing in the health workforce of our target nations. Receiving a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would be a dream come true.
Three interesting facts about yourself
When I was 15, I started an online company that sold posters and art prints. After three months I got bored and sold the entire operation on eBay to some guy in Oregon.
I ran in the Democratic Primary in Rhode Island as a delegate for Howard Dean in 2004.
I have an extensive collection of really old memorabilia and books about Brown University. It might sound boring, but most of the items provide a fascinating look back in time.
Favorite book
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. I finally got around to reading this book a month ago, and it renewed my commitment to the work that I am undertaking with Adopt A Doctor. Dr. Paul Farmer is selfless pioneer who has single-handedly brought about tremendous and lasting change in access to health care around the world.
Favorite cause (besides your own)
Electing a Democratic majority in the U.S. House and Senate to protect our civil rights.
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