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History of the Falmouth Clinic

A humble start

1988-1992

In 1990 the Congregation of First United Methodist Church of Rock Port Missouri decided on a mission trip to Falmouth Jamaica.  On that first trip was Dr. Carpenter, the very first U.S. physician to volunteer in Falmouth.  At that time there was no clinic building, instead they saw patients in a makeshift room adjacent to the local church.  Dr. Carpenter and his team were overwhelmed by the amount of need at that time.  Dr. Carpenter made a lifelong committement to return.  

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The Clinic expands

1992 -2002

Dr. Carpenter kept his word.  He brought donated medications and supplies every three months.  Even before buzz words like "sustainability" and "longitudinal care"  were en vogue, he knew it wasn't enough to come once a year and drop off some ibuprofen and vitamins.  Through his determination, grit and the perseverance of countless volunteers the clinic expanded.  During the 1990s, medical schools, church groups and other volunteers groups from Alabama to UCLA came to Falmouth.  A Group from Alabama built the current clinic in 1992, and it remains in use today.  Medical schools from Missouri, Nebraska, and California introduced the next wave of practitioners to Falmouth. 

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A Torch is passed

2002 to 2016

In 2002, Steve Mills, a biology professor in Missouri went on the first trip at the urging of his wife Linda Mills.  It was a match made in heaven.  Since then Steve has supported >20 years of medical outreach with hundreds of thousands of dollars of donations.  He is a tireless promoter, fundraiser and recruiter.  Sadly Linda passed away in 2017, and her legacy lives on in the clinic.  Without Dr. Mills the dream of this clinic would never have been realized.  He continues to bring medical and lay volunteers yearly.

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2016 to present

Central Ohio Jamaica Medical Outreach 

Under the leadership of Dr. Josh Black, Dr. Philicia Duncan, and Dr. Tyler Earl we are continuing the mission started in 1990.  Dr. Black was introduced to the Falmouth clinic during medical school and had a profound effect on his career.  Dr. Duncan was recruited in 2018 and has been instrumental in expanding the outreach.  Dr. Earl was recruited in 2020 and immediately fell in love with the clinic.  We have constant challenges including Hurricanes, new infectious threats, and the Covid Pandemic which halted all care for three years. 

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