Mr. David Pepsny, MSHA, MCM
David Pepsny served as the Administrator for Tenwek Hospital of Kenya, Africa. As the Chairman of the CTC Operations and Activation Committee, David facilitated the development of the operations and activation plan for the Tenwek Hospital Cardiothoracic Center. He also works with both government and non-government partners for advisory and consultative services. David graduated from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) with a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration & Interprofessional Leadership. He also has a Masters degree in Construction Management and a bachelors in Business.
Rev. Dean Cowles
Rev. Dean Cowles has served at Tenwek Hospital since October 2015 after serving there as full-time medical missionaries with three small boys in the early 90’s. God opened the door for the Cowles to come as short-term volunteers in 2014.
“It’s been a real joy to dive into all the various ways non-medical visitors can help out around here,” says Dean. “I love meeting new people and helping them match their gifts, talents, and interests with the many programs, outreaches and volunteer needs we have at the hospital and in the surrounding communities. I hope those thinking of coming will not say, ‘Well I’m not a doctor so I don’t have anything to offer and will just let my spouse go and I’ll stay home’. We have lots of things you and your family can do to make a difference. But most of all, coming on a short-term mission trip will make a difference in you.”
Dr. David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics)
Dr. David Stevens, author of Jesus, MD, Beyond Medicine and co-author of Leadership Proverbs and Servant Leadership and serves as CEO Emeritus of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), a national organization of Christian healthcare professionals that seeks to change hearts in healthcare. As untold thousands of people who have heard him preach could attest, Dave Stevens is a gifted storyteller and a powerful Christian communicator with a passion for evangelism and a deep understanding and respect for the integrity of God’s Word.
As a leading, trusted spokesman for Christian healthcare professionals, Dr. Stevens has conducted thousands of media interviews, including JAMA, USA Today, Newsweek, NBC's Today Show, NBC Nightly News, BBC-World Television, CNN and National Public Radio. He has also appeared on FOX Family Channel, PAX-Television, Tech TV, The Odyssey Channel, America's Health Network and many other national outlets. He has written numerous book chapters and magazine articles. Prior to authoring his first book, he wrote a regular health column for the Promise Keepers' New Man magazine and served on the editorial board of Christian Single magazine.
Dr. Stevens holds degrees from Asbury College and the University of Louisville School of Medicine and is board certified in family medicine. He earned a master’s degree in bioethics from Trinity International University in 2002 and has served on the boards of Asbury University and World Gospel Mission. He is a fellow of the Biotechnology Policy Council of the Wilberforce Forum and helped found the National Embryo Donation Center. Dr. Stevens and his wife Jody have a son, Jason, and two daughters, Jessica and Stacy, and 10 grandchildren, all of who are involved in domestic or international healthcare ministry.
Keir Thelander, MD, FACS, FWACS, FCS (ECSA)
Keir Thelander was born in a suburb of Chicago and grew up in Indianapolis, IN. He attended Indiana University School of Medicine and subsequently completed his general surgery residency at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, OH, in 2004. After a short time working as a General Surgeon in Cleveland, Keir was led to train and disciple African doctors to become surgeons.
Keir’s young family of 4 embarked on a transcontinental adventure which took them to Bongolo Hospital in the southern part of the country of Gabon. For 8 years Keir served as the Program Director of the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) surgical residency and discipleship program, as well as the medical director of this 150-bed facility. Over their last few years in Gabon, Dr. Thelander fulfilled the role of Team Leader for the over 20 ex-patriots living in Bongolo, while he also worked as the West/Central Africa Director for PAACS.
Presently, Keir is the Executive Vice President of PAACS. In this role he oversees the 17 PAACS training programs that are spread across the African continent. A few of Keir’s passions are helping doctors and all people to thrive no matter the circumstances as well as surgical education in cross-cultural contexts. Keir now lives in Cleveland, OH, and is married with 2 children.