Our team members

Dr. Christine Brody - ObGyn

In my last few months of medical school, I spent a month in very rural areas of Fiji practicing medicine. Despite the lack of electricity, running water, and modern medical technology, this was one of the best months of my life and I realized that much of the world lived like this. From that moment, I knew that medical mission work was meant to be a part of my future. It wasn't until 2010, when I went to Nicaragua on a non-medical mission trip to visit my sponsored kids at the Casa Bernabe Orphanage that the opportunity for medical missions presented itself. I met Valishia on that trip, and on the plane ride home, we co-founded Med4Nicaragua. I'm so thankful to be able to bring state-of-the-art modern medicine to people in need, and to provide the opportunity for health care professionals to give back to these needy people.

I have a wonderful husband and 17-year old triplets whom I'm honored to have by my side for the 2nd year in a row, bringing their talents and gifts to the team and the people of Nicaragua. I'm especially excited to have my good friend and colleague, Dr. Adam Fierer, joining me for the 2nd year in a row, and my sister-in-law, Christina Chafe RN, joining me for the first time, both of whom have shared my vision to bring medical/surgical care to third world countries for more than a decade.

I'm also excited to be returning to the Casa Bernabe orphanage again to see the kids, and introduce the team to the inspiration for Med4Nicaragua.

Lastly, one of the best parts of this medical mission is getting to know new people as our team comes together from all walks of life from all over Southern California; 22 members, each with their own talents and gifts, will be coming together to make a team, that will serve as one with a medical mission. Every person has a story to tell that's led up to this moment, and I can't wait to hear them all!

Dane Brody - Translator

My name is Dane Brody. I am seventeen years old and currently a Junior at Carlsbad High School. This will be my second year traveling to Nicaragua as a translator. 


My mother Dr. Christine Brody has spear-headed numerous medical missions to Central America and I am glad to be a returning member on her team. I am both nervous and excited for this trip, seeing as it will be different than those of years past. The last trip was definitely a step out of my comfort zone and made me realize just how sheltered most people are. 


I think it is very important for people to get out there and experience for themselves the poverty of the world around them. I made a promise to myself last trip do whatever I could (be it big or small) to make a difference in this world, and that is what I am doing. 

Gabby Brody - Translator

I am a junior at Carlsbad High school and am seventeen years old.  My mom, Dr. Brody, has put her heart and should into creating this mission team and I think I can speak for my whole family in saying we are so proud of what it has become.  This will be my second year going to Nicaragua as a translator.  Last year was an unreal experience filled with translating, viewing surgeries and meeting and connecting with the most amazing people.  I don't expect this year's mission to be anything like the last one.  There is a new team, a new location, and a new set of patients, and a new overall vibe.  But I do expect one aspect to be the same -- It'll be as life changing as the last one.  I can't wait!"

John Brody - Support Staff and Sterile Processing

Christ has no body now but yours, 

No hands, no feet, on earth but yours. 

Yours are the eyes through which He looks with

Compassion on this world.

Yours are the feet 

With which He walks to do good. 

Yours are the hands 

With which He blesses all the world. 

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet. 

Yours are the eyes, you are His body. 

Christ has no body now but yours.

Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

I am a servant of Jesus Christ.  I wish to pour out the love of Christ on each and every person I come in contact with.  We are going to Nicaragua to do medicine, but God is taking us to Nicaragua with a divine agenda on a much grander scale.  I can’t wait for the doors to open, for the problems to evaporate.  I can’t wait for the miracles to happen and for His perfect will and plan to be revealed.  I feel honored and humbled to be His hands and feet.

Kai Brody- Translator

My name is Kai Brody and I am currently a 17 year old junior enrolled at Carlsbad High School. I am the son of Dr. Christine Brody and John Brody and my siblings are Gabby and Dane. 

My main focus on this trip is to benefit the team in any way through translating spanish or carrying out tasks. I love helping people and I couldn't imagine a better way then to provide medical care to those in need in the country of Nicaragua. 

I look forward to seeing a change in my outlook on poverty and truly grasp just how much we take for granted. I am excited for the events to come and to see both the effect we have on the Nicaraguans as well as the effect they have on us.

Stacy Byone - Oncology Nurse Practitioner

My name is Stacy Parker Byone.  I have been an RN for 27 years.  It has been a wonderful career, and I can't imagine doing anything else.  I'm an Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.  I have 2 special and very funny little boys, Joseph age 11 and John age 9.  When I'm not at work, I'm at the baseball field or boy scouts.

I spent almost 20 years at LAC + USC Medical Center, and because of that speak pretty decent Spanish. This I hope will come in handy in Nicaragua.  I feel honored and blessed that I was chosen for this mission, as it's always been a dream.  It's a chance to serve the Lord and my fellow man.

I want to thank my family and my very special friends for their love and support, without which I would not be able to take this opportunity.

Martha Carmack - Registered Nurse, Emergency Room

I have been a RN for almost 42 years, 40 of which have been at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside.  My specialty and first love is Emergency Room nursing.  Never boring and always learning new things!  

I have two daughters (neither of which will even look at a band-aid), 2 grandchildren and #3 to be born in May.  Going on a mission trip has been a life-long dream for me.  My father was a minister and the best part of the church services was when the Missionaries would come home and talk to the congregation.  As a child, I wanted to become a Missionary nurse after being inspired by their messages.  Have never made it to the Mission field until now, and I'm so excited!

Christina Brody Chafe - Registered Nurse, Recovery Room

I ama Registered Nurse with my BSN from the University of San Francisco.  I have been a critical care nurse for almost all of my career, working in Trauma ICU, Cardiac ICU, Critical Care transport, ER, Circulating in the OR in plastic surgery and currently working in the PACU.  I am married and have two young beautiful boys.

Seventeen years ago when I was in nursing school I was sitting with my sister-in-law Dr. Christine Brody and we decided that one day we would go on a medical mission together.  Time just kept going by and there was always a reason to why I couldn't go.  My youngest son was very sick for many years and I devoted myself to taking care of him.  My career changed from being a trauma nurse to being "mom" a choice I will never regret, but I still felt the need to define myself.

Six months ago one of the greatest tragedies I have ever been a part of happened in our community of Seal Beach and I lost many friends.  It was at that time that I realized there is never a good time, life is too short.  If you have a dream you had better live it and thank goodness I have a husband and family who support me.  It was then I decided it was just time for me to go on my mission.

I ask myself, what do you want to come away with from this medical mission to Nicaragua?  I hope that by participating in their mission trip that I will come away with a content feeling of purpose.  I hope that by participating in this trip it will instill in my children of how to give of themselves to others without question.

Thank you to all my friends and family who have supported me in making this happen and thank you to Dr. Christine Brody for making my dream a reality.

I look forward to this amazing journey and I look forward to sharing it with you.

Andrew Cusick - Registered Nurse, Recovery Room

Hello. I was inspired to join the Med4Nic team while working as an RN in PACU at Tri-City from Rick V. a past team member. Currently, I work in the Surgical/Neuro ICU at Palomar Medical Center. 

I enjoy to live a mission of service and to travel abroad so this medical mission is a perfect fit. Spare time, I enjoy hiking, cycling, yoga, cooking and playing Native American flute. 

Dr. Adam Fierer - General Surgeon

This is my second time volunteering for Med4Nicaragua. As for many of us, this is the culmination of many years of waiting for an opportunity to give back to the world in a small, but hopefully meaningful way. 

I am very excited about this years' trip because it involves the Roberto Clemente Clinic in Southwestern Nicaragua. Roberto Clemente was my first and greatest sports hero, and he died in a plane crash bringing supplies to an earthquake stricken Nicaragua in 1972. His widow, Vera Clemente, helped establish this clinic through her foundation, so it has extra special importance to me to be able to share Clemente's belief that helping others is one of the most important things we can do in our lives. 

I hope that my children can learn from my actions too, and become caring, giving people whenever it's their time to do so. I also love the camaraderie that comes from being stuck together in a foreign country with many people I don't know, or know well, and I think these friendships are very special and long-lasting. 

I must finish by saying how much I admire Christine for having the fortitude and drive to create Med4Nicaragua and the faith that somehow it will all work out!

Lindsey Harvey - Registered Nurse, Emergency Room

Originally from Vermont, I moved to San Diego close to seven years ago in pursuit of closer proximity to the ocean and warmer weather. It was out here that I began my nursing career three years ago in the Emergency Department. 

Traveling and volunteering have long been passions of mine, and when I started my nursing education, I dreamed of going on mission trips to use my skills to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of people in developing countries. This past year I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Uganda and the Dominican Republic, and as soon as I learned about the opportunity to be part of the Med4Nicaragua team, I jumped at the chance. 

I am very excited to be part of this fantastic and talented team of volunteers, and to see what God will do in and through me to positively impact other peoples' lives. Thank you to all my friends and family for your ongoing support and encouragement.

Will Jones- Surgical Technician

Will brings experience as an operating room technician and that his specialty is adapting to the environment to give surgeons the best outcomes, even when they don't have the equipment they would typically use.

Will has participated in other medical mission trips in the military including an earthquake surgical team in 1999.  Kosovo in 2000 and Balad Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.

"I am excited to use my skills and make a positive difference in the life of others."

Steve Keys - Firefighter/Paramedic

My name is Steven Keys, and I am a Paramedic/Firefighter for the City of Glendale Fire Department where I have worked for the past 10 years.  

I was born and raised in the City of Whittier, where I attended St. Paul High School, and then I went on to study Finance at Cal State Fullerton. Currently, I live in Huntington Beach, CA.

I am very fortunate to have my dream career where I am able to help the community in times of need.  I am also a member of our Urban Search & Rescue Team, the Coordinator of our Fill The Boot for MDA program, a Volunteer for the Relay for Life, am a Junior Firefighter instructor, and help teach CPR for the Red Cross.

I am looking forward to many aspects of this trip.  Including the experience of being part of an incredible group of people who will, together, provide medical surgeries to people who otherwise may not receive them.  And of course, the ability to visit, play with, and bring smiles to the faces of the children of the Casa Bernabe Orphangae, is something I'm very much looking forward to!  

I expect that the relationships and bonds that will be formed, and the experiences that will be encountered to be life changing!  I know for myself, and hopefully for many others!!  

Karla Lange - Nurse Anesthetist

Karla has always wanted to do a medical mission trip.  This one was meant to be, the timing was perfect.  I have been a Nurse Anesthetist for over 20 years, working in plastic surgery and in a tertiary medical center.  I love what I do but have always wanted to work in a country where health care does not come so readily.

I have two children and currently work at Kaiser.

Karen Larson - Registered Nurse, BSN

I graduated from SDSU school of nursinig in 1986. Worked for a year in New Zealand Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, then continued in NICU here at Sharp Mary Birch for 22 years. Volunteered at Fresh Start Surgical Gifts assisting in Surgery for underprivaleged children and adulst. Have done trips to Mexico with the Flying Samaritans working in a tent in a small village and helping them with medical needs. Currently working in a private office doing a small aesthetic practice.

My heart yearns to help others and especially those that dont have much at all, it is such a blessing to be able to help,comfort and just be with them...they bring such joy to me and a whole new sense of appreciation.

I live here in Encintas, two wonderful 'children'....son 22 yrs in the Coast Guard and a 19 yr. daughter in Nursing school...wants to also do NICU. Cherish everyday!!!! oxox

Dr. Bill Maxwell - Anesthesiologist

Hi, my name is Bill Maxwell.  I'm an anesthesiologist from San Diego, CA, and I've been in practice for 16 years.  I'm also a happily married father of three girls who enjoys almost anything outdoors, but especially the mountains and camping and hiking with friends and family.  

I am really looking forward to this trip both professionally and personally.  I think going to Nic will help refresh, in my mind, why I went into medicine...and that is, plainly spoken, to help others.  In this case, these people are in need of some pretty basic surgical care, and I think I will be greatly rewarded personally by contributing my time and expertise like this, and in the process, become a better physician.

Kelsey Perez - Translator

My name is Kelsey Perez and I am a full time student at The Art Institute of Orange County California. I am the oldest of four children and 1 of 23 grandchildren. I have an amazing boyfriend named Christopher who is a Marine and has supported me in everything I have ever wanted to pursue. I have the most amazing mother who excudes love with such ease and beauty. My brothers and sister are my best friends. I have a burning passion for helping those in need. I feel very excited and blessed to be a part of  this wonderful experience. I plan on going to Nicaragua to change a the lives of many people and as well as my own.

Heather Piotrowki - Registered Nurse, Surgical Intensive Care Unit

My name is Heather Piotrowski and I have been a nurse for 8 years. My background has been ER and most recently the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. 

I'm originally from Wisconsin and ended up in beautiful San Diego as a travel nurse. I learned about this amazing opportunity from my friend Kami who went on the Med4nicaragua Mission trip last year. I was hoping to take part then, but the trip filled up so fast I was not able to. 

Ever since I became a nurse this was something I have always wanted to take part in. I was pretty bummed when I found out I couldn't go last year, but took it as a sign that everything happens for a reason. If God really wanted me to go then it would happen eventually. Well apparently he did because I was fortunate enough to be chosen for this mission trip. 

I feel so blessed that I can take my experience and skills as a nurse and help those who don't have access or ability to receive medical care. I just want to thank my family and friends for all their support and sponsorships. Without you this would not be possible for me.

Valishia Savage - Co-founder Med4NIcaragua

Valishia Savage is one of the co-founders of Med4Nicaragua.  She is a single mother of two boys, a Beauty Distribution Account Executive, and the Team Coordinator for this mission. 

What drives her?  Passion and dreaming big.  Valishia grew up in the foster system and she learned at a young age that it would take faith, passion and drive to change the course of her life.  This is her approach with everything she encounters in life, including creating and coordinating Med4Nicaragua.  "One thing I have learned, if you have faith anything is possible!" Valishia has a passion for international missions. She has done missionary work in Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Mexico and financially supports missionaries in various African countries. 

Valishia is the Team Coordinator for Med4Nicaragua.  She is also one of the main translators and goes by the nickname "Mama V" . This will be Mama V's fourth trip to Nicaragua in the past two years.  She looks forward to spending time with her team and serving the people of Nicaragua.

A dream come true! Last year she coordinated a media team to join the trip and help produce a documentary.  The film "33in3" by Mans Best Media, premiered in Carlsbad CA last August to a sold out theater.  The event was covered by local media and raised funds to help with the 2012 mission.  (you can purchase the documentary at http://mansbestmedia.com/)

Steve Teasdale- Firefighter/Paramedic

Steve Teasdale, a firefighter and paramedic, found out about the mission trip through his friend and another team member, Dawn Goetz. He described himself as sociable and said he looks forward to interacting with the Nicaraguan community.

"I bring a very outgoing personality with a strong background in volunteer work," he said. "I love (...) getting to know other cultures."

"I'm looking forward to interacting with the people," he added, explaining that he wants to teach and play with the kids at the orphanage.

Steve has been in the industry for 13 years and currently works at the Huntington Beach Fire Department. In the past, he has worked in the emergency medicine field with ambulance companies and fire departments.

He has done several mission trips to Mexico where he built houses for the community, interacted with the children and taught classes.


Steve was very straight forward about why he wanted to go to Nicaragua.


"It's an opportunity for me to make a difference in this world," he said.

Ralph Trujillo- Registered Nurse, Operating Room

I've been an OR nurse for 25 years and I can't imagine a more fulfilling profession. Where else can one have such a positive impact on another person while they are frightened and while they've never felt more vulnerable? I'm allowed to work with expensive, high tech equipment. I get to troubleshoot when problems arise. I get to fix things and make decisions while under pressure.  I get to work with a very talented team. What could be better?

I wanted to go on last year's mission but my wife was sick. This year as I start a new chapter in my life, I am looking forward to this adventure. Volunteers from previous missions have said this is a life-changing experience. I have a feeling that although the patients and families we encounter will be grateful, they won't feel the gratitude that I feel in being chosen to help.

Dr. Roger Vega - General Physician

“Miracles come in moments, be ready and willing” W Dyer. My commitment to service above self began 6 years ago during my first medical mission; I remember when a 7 years old child with Poliomyelitis sequelae received his first wheelchair donation, and he had a ear to ear smile, I never saw a happiest child!

Born and raised in Masaya, Nicaragua. Last year I obtained my MD degree from University of UNAN in Nicaragua. I’ve been involved in numerous humanitarian labors, and I’ve found great satisfaction in providing medical assistance and support to the less privileged people from my country who cannot afford appropriate treatments.

Last year I had the great opportunity of working with Med4Nicaragua, one of the best experiences in my life; and I decided to join this amazing group again and keep learning and improving myself as a human being.