International Nonprofit Honors Doctor from Philippines

NORFOLK, VA (08/31/2011)(readMedia)-- This fall, Physicians for Peace is recognizing the leadership, dedication and vision of Josephine "Penny" Bundoc, MD, with a Medical Diplomat Award. Bundoc, the volunteer director of the Physicians for Peace-Philippines Walking Free program, will accept the honor on Oct. 15 during the 2011 Physicians for Peace Gala in Norfolk, Va.

"With enthusiasm, expertise and a profound sense of morality, Dr. Bundoc brings people together and turns goals into realities," said Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.), president and chief executive officer of Physicians for Peace. "Through her professional life and volunteer work for Physicians for Peace, she has revolutionized access for thousands of patients and provided pathways to a sustainable livelihood for Filipino healthcare workers."

A Commitment to Service

In 2005, Dr. Bundoc launched Walking Free, Physicians for Peace's signature program for amputee care, in the Philippines. In doing so, she mobilized key partnerships, including an alliance with the Philippines General Hospital (PGH), that have helped the program flourish. Today, Walking Free-Philippines has trained seven prosthetic technicians while maintaining three clinics and two prosthetic and orthotic workshops. To develop a cadre of skilled local providers, Dr. Bundoc also has worked with the International Society of Prosthetics to establish Asia's first bachelor of science in prosthetics and orthotics program.

Real-world solutions to complex health problems are never far from Dr. Bundoc's heart. In response to the diverse needs of patients in remote islands of the Philippines, Bundoc created a program with the mobile phone company Smart Communications that empowers community healthcare workers to use smart phone technology to pre-screen amputee patients and deliver patient data to a central location.

"In all that she does, Dr. Bundoc displays an unwavering commitment to her personal mission to provide 'functional return to all walks of life,'" Sconyers said. "And through her work, she has improved the lives of thousands."

Bundoc is one of three 2011 Medical Diplomat award winners. The other winners, Charlie Henderson, Jr., Hampton Roads market president for Bank of America in Norfolk, Va., and Emily Tinsley, MSNEd, an international burn care educator and consultant in Charlottesville, Va., also will be recognized at the gala, alongside Harvey L. Lindsay, Jr., chairman of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate in Norfolk, who will receive Physicians for Peace's Presidential Award.

Tickets and Sponsorships Available

The 2011 Physicians for Peace Gala will be held at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside on Saturday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, visit www.physiciansforpeace.org or contact Laurie Harrison, (757) 625-7569.

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace transforms lives by training, supporting and empowering healthcare professionals working with the world's underserved populations. Since 1989, volunteers have conducted medical missions in more than 60 countries. Find us online at www.physiciansforpeace.org and www.facebook.com/physiciansforpeace. Follow us on Twitter, Physician4Peace.

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