Dr. Tim Nunn

African Mission Healthcare Gerson L’Chaim Prize Laureate – 2022

CURE Hospital, Ethiopia

Dr. Tim Nunn’s heart is moved by the 50,000 Ethiopian children requiring care for spinal deformities.  Yet, there was not a single dedicated center to care for this vast number of patients.

His vision to start a pediatric spine service at CURE Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was the basis of his successful application for the African Mission Healthcare Gerson L’Chaim Prize for Outstanding Christian Medical Missionary Service.  This work is synergistic with that of African Mission Healthcare partner Dr. Rick Hodes of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.  Dr. Hodes cares for many advanced spinal deformities in children and adults and now cooperates with CURE Hospital.

Treating Patients Today

The Prize will help CURE treat children with spinal deformities by providing braces and growing rods.  Resources will support Dr. Hodes’ clinic at CURE, a spine surgeon’s salary, and a school scoliosis screening program.

Training Doctors for Tomorrow

Faculty exchanges between Ethiopia and the US will transfer knowledge regarding the care of children with spinal deformities.

Transforming Hospitals for Tomorrow

The new spine center requires essential medical equipment like incinerators and autoclaves.

The CURE pediatric spine service at CURE Hospital is a collaborative effort between multiple organizations and demonstrates the catalytic role played by the L’Chaim Prize in expanding the quality of health services.