Doctors Without Borders represented by its European partners Medecins Sans Frontieres-Belgique, Artzen Zonder Grenzen (MSF) of the Netherlands, and Medicos Sin Fronteras from Spain, recruited Adventure Medicine (AM) (now Medicine International (MI) members, notably the ubiquitous Dr. Steve Maron, to staff Grey Memorial Hospital near the strategic air base in Puerto Cabezas. Nicaragua. Despite the peaceful accord between the Cuban-supported Sandanistas and the U.S.-backed Contras, fighting continued along its northern Atlantic border with Honduras. This government district hospital served a catchment area of 160,000 Nicaraguans, Sandanistas, Contras, Negros and Mosquito Indians.
Adventure Medicine members provided the sole but full complement of surgical services including obstetrics and gynecology. The program was validated by an extended visit from the founder of the Merrithew Family Practice Residency, Dr. George Degnan. Dr. Degnan's character and humanitarian medical servitude was forged in the fires of the London bombings during World War II. Our members have adopted Dr. Degnan's teaching philosophy and his legacy lives on through his many pupils.