Inception of the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB)

Grieving the death of his wife and infant daughter, a young American doctor named Dr. Paluel Flagg sought solace in ministry. In Haiti, he served those with Hansen’s Disease (commonly called leprosy)—and saw the immense need there and around the world. That realization sparked an idea—to encourage medical missionaries to bring health solutions to the world’s most vulnerable communities.

The First Medical Volunteer

A Canadian named Dr. Margaret Lamont became the first medical missionary to join Dr. Flagg. She traveled with her family to China—and CMMB’s Medical Volunteer Program was born.

Catholic Medical Mission Board Incorporated

Led by our first executive director, Father Edward Garesche, the organization envisioned by Dr. Flagg was formally incorporated. Our first medical mission team was sent to Puerto Rico to aid hurricane victims.

Medical Donations Program Begins

Father Garesche organized hundreds of volunteers to collect unused medicines and bandages. Two New York City brownstones became a warehouse for supplies being sent overseas. From these early beginnings, CMMB’s Medical Donations Program was formed.

CMMB Zambia Opens

CMMB began serving communities in Zambia.

CMMB Peru Opens

CMMB began serving communities in Peru.

Focusing on Local Priorities

As Mother Teresa turned the world’s focus to patients suffering from Hansen’s Disease, CMMB began providing $5,000 worth of medicine each month to Calcutta, India. That same year, CMMB reported that 8,000 missions in 85 countries had requested medical aid, a sign of the always growing need—and our increasing ability to help.

Working to Eradicate Hansen’s Disease

CMMB received the Damien-Dutton Award for our medical support toward eradicating Hansen’s Disease (leprosy).

Serving Children with Disabilities

With the launch of CMMB’s Early Intervention Training Program in Lithuania, we empowered more than 250 professionals to provide therapy for children with disabilities.

Global Partnerships

As a founding member of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD), CMMB joined a global alliance developing high standards in medical supply and service donation.

Supporting the AIDS Response

By launching Choose to Care, CMMB made a five-year, $5 million commitment to support AIDS patients and orphans in South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana, and Lesotho. Two years later, CMMB launched Born to Live, a new initiative to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Focus on Women and Children

CMMB’s Action for Family Health program provided primary healthcare for children under 5—addressing the preventable tragedy of childhood deaths.

Joining Forces Against AIDS

With funding through PEPFAR, CMMB joined AIDSRelief, a Catholic consortium providing prevention services and treatment for HIV/AIDS.

CMMB Kenya Opens

CMMB began serving communities in Kenya, marking the beginning of our work to bring health and hope to women and children across the country.

Response to the Indonesia Tsunami

We sent $4.9 million in medical relief to support recovery efforts.

A Record-Breaking Volunteer Cohort

Following in our founder’s footsteps, CMMB’s largest volunteer cohort went out into the world—286 volunteers in 33 countries, providing 18,233 days of service, at a value of $5.6 million.

CMMB South Sudan Opens

CMMB began serving communities in South Sudan.

CMMB Responds to Crisis in Haiti

After a devastating earthquake, CMMB sent $49.7 million in medicine and supplies to aid recovery.

CMMB Peru Registers Locally

CMMB Peru becomes an independent NGO under the same name. They remain an affiliate member of the CMMB Global Network

An Emphasis on Women and Children

By launching its Children and Mothers Partnerships (CHAMPS) program, CMMB invested in health solutions for women and children, a critical focus of our work.

New Visual Identity and Brand

With a new logo featuring an ampersand (&), we more accurately reflected the partnerships and collaborations that make our work possible. We also shortened our brand name to CMMB.

Focus on Kenya

The first group of medical residents traveled to eastern Kenya, expanding CMMB Kenya’s capacities.

Growing Healthcare Access in Haiti

The Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Center for Health opened in Côtes-de-Fer, Haiti, providing healthcare to more than 70,000 people.

Delivering Health Solutions to Women and Children

CMMB launched a new strategy for its signature CHAMPS program, expanding its service to the most vulnerable populations.

Addressing Humanitarian Crises Around the World

CMMB’s Medical Donations Program supported displaced people in South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen and provided emergency relief to the Bahamas, Mexico, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

Pandemic Response

As the COVID-19 pandemic caused a global public health crisis, CMMB responded in Kenya, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Peru, South Sudan, and Gambia.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

CMMB supported COVID-19 vaccination efforts in South Sudan and Haiti.

Rapid Response in Haiti

When another earthquake caused devastation in Haiti, CMMB responded within hours with emergency medical supplies.

CMMB Celebrates 110th Anniversary

As we responded to urgent global crises, CMMB commemorated its 110 years of service.

CMMB Zambia Registers Locally

CMMB Zambia becomes an independent NGO under the new name Access to Health Zambia. They remain an affiliate member of the CMMB Global Network.

CMMB Kenya Registers Locally

CMMB Kenya becomes an independent NGO and an affiliate member of the CMMB Global Network.