Alumni
Interviews:
 Marvin Piburn, M.D.
"I enjoyed my missions because I could just
practice medicine."
One glance at Marvin Piburn’s CV— his mission work
in the United States and abroad, rotations and residencies to enhance
his surgical skills, and service to the U.S. Armed Forces—and
it’s clear that caring for people in need has been his life’s
work.
It began in 1942, when he was assigned as a pharmacists’ mate
in the U.S. Navy. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army and served
as a surgeon during the Korean War.
In 1953, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries named
Piburn a medical missionary physician and surgeon at Nyadiri Mission
in southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He and his wife, Carolyn,
moved their three young children there, and a fourth would be born
there as they carried out the work that would occupy them for nearly
30 years.
The mission consisted of a 30 x 60 foot hospital surrounded by
primitive cottages. A diesel generator provided electricity for
three hours in the evening. Relatives cooked food over open fires
and delivered it to loved ones in the hospital. Meanwhile, Piburn
delivered care ranging from obstetrics to eye surgery.
"
I enjoyed it because I could just practice medicine," Piburn
said. "You could work without all the problems we have here
with health care costs."
The years in Rhodesia saw a few furloughs to the United States,
during which he learned new skills and Carolyn became a nurse anesthetist.
Piburn spent another furlough in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970, caring
for those ravaged by war.
Their work at Nyadiri ended in 1982, and the family moved back
to the United States. In 1983, they joined United Methodist Urban
Ministry to open a free clinic in Witchita, Kan., and expand one
established in Hutchinson, Kan. The Wichita clinic, now known as
the GraceMed Health Clinic, still operates today.
In 1992, the Piburns retired. Sadly, Carolyn died in January
2003. Marvin Piburn remains active in his church, attends clinical
meetings
at Wichita hospitals and spends time with his grandchildren.
Looking back, Piburn noted that his UI training helped him achieve
his dream of becoming a medical missionary. "It gave me the
confidence I needed to do almost anything overseas," Piburn
said. "I don’t think I’d change anything."
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