ABOUT US
Our Mission
The Himalayan Family Healthcare Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing community-driven, primary health care services to the people of Nepal's Manang District and surrounding areas.
We are committed to accomplishing our mission by:
- Conducting community health needs assessments and resource evaluations;
- Developing community coalitions and community empowerment activities;
- Developing culturally appropriate community health promotions and disease-prevention activities;
- Providing quality primary health care services;
- Establishing active and passive public health monitoring systems and reporting health indicators such as child mortality rates (MDG #4) and maternal health statistics (MDG #5);
- Conducting project evaluations and research related to primary healthcare services;
- Collaborating with both the district and the national system for the development of health policies;
- Replicating the project's success in other communities.
Our Values
Compassion - We acknowledge, listen and respond to our clients' and staff's needs in a caring manner.
Competence - We demonstrate expertise and solidarity with the community in carrying out our responsibilities and inspiring others to have confidence in us.
Diversity - We respect our individual differences, beliefs and uniqueness.
About Manang
The Manang District is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. Close to the border with Tibet, Manang is known as the "Gateway to Heaven." The people are very friendly, and the environment is homely. The stones, hills and magnificent Himalayas are deeply impressive to all who encounter them. The Manang District is clean, and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy is present everywhere. However, existence here is not easy. Life expectancy is even lower in Manang than in the rest of Nepal. The United Nations' Millennium Development Goals point to an astonishing infant mortality rate of 88.46 per 1,000 live births in the District of Manang (Nepal's rate is 47.46; the U.S. rate is 6.3).
About the Founder
Dr. Devi Gurung States was born and raised in the Tilche Village in Manang, Nepal. After his parents passed away, he became homeless in Kathmandu because he was too young and could not find a job. He lived for months in the streets of Kathmandu until he found a job at KC's Restaurant as a dishwasher.
From these early hardships emerged two dreams: to own a restaurant and to help improve the health status of children and their families who are poor and suffering as he once was.
While working at the restaurant, he met Dr. James H. States, M.D, who successfully ascended Mt. Everest in 1983. Following this success, Dr. James States brought young Devi back to the U.S. with him.
Dr. Devi Gurung States completed his high school education at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, and he received his Bachelor's degrees in pre-medicine and psychology from Eastern Washington University in Cheney in 1991. After completing his high school and undergraduate education in the state of Washington, Devi asked his father, Dr. James States, what he could do to pay him back for giving him the opportunity to prosper in the United States. Dr. James States simply told him to help people. For this reason, Devi decided to pursue his graduate degree in Social Work and learn the skills of helping people.
He completed his Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) at Saint Louis University in 1994. Following this, he worked as a medical social worker and developed an interest in healthy lifestyles and preventive medicine. This led him to earn a Master's degree in Public Health (MPH) from Saint Louis University in 1997. Currently Devi holds the Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree in healthcare leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Utilizing his knowledge and training from his Master's and Doctorate studies, along with many years of professional work experience with chronic disease prevention and health promotion, Dr. Devi Gurung States brought his first dream to fruition. February of 2004 saw the grand opening of the Everest Cafe & Bar. Through this venue, Dr. Devi States has taken a unique approach to promoting healthy lifestyles by serving nutritious and tasty meals, along with free health screenings, for his customers.
Dr. Devi Gurung States is now preparing to complete his second dream of helping to improve the health status of suffering children and their families from his former home in Nepal. To facilitate this endeavor, he has established the Himalayan Family Healthcare Project.
His wife, Connie States, is from South Korea and they have two teenage children, James and Jesse.
Board of Directors (USA)
A Board of Directors and an Advisory Board operate on a volunteer basis.
Dr. Devi Gurung States, Founder and Board President
Saint Louis, MO
Honorable Lewis E. Reed
President, St. Louis Board of Aldermen
Saint Louis, MO
Mr. Reed attended Southern Illinois University on a wrestling scholarship. There he majored in Mathematics and Computer Science, a field he would go into professionally as Director of Networks and Telecommunications for the Edison Brothers Stores’ worldwide operations.
He has served as the chairman of the St. Louis Port Authority, overseeing riverfront property lease agreements and riverboat gaming tax revenues. In addition, he served on the board of directors of the St. Louis Development Corporations, overseeing city business development issues and minority business certification compliance. Also, he served as co-chair on the Ways & Means Committee, which oversees the city’s 400 million dollar budget.
Mr. Reed has served as a member of the board of directors for the Regional Justice Information Systems (REJIS), which uses technology to monitor and track criminal data and statistics; co-chaired the Cardinal Baseball Stadium hearings in St. Louis; and served on the boards of Downtown Now and the Downtown Partnership.
Mr. Reed was elected President of the Board of Aldermen on April 3rd, 2007. He is the first African American elected to this position. He resides in the 6th Ward with his wife, Mary, and children.
Dr. Sujata C. Buck, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P., F.A.C.P.M.
Saint Louis, MO
Dr. Buck is American Board certified in Pediatrics and in Public Health. She has held a variety of academic, clinical and administrative positions during the past 30 years. She served as Public Health District Director for the Western Tidewater Health District in Virginia for six years. During that period, she was an Assistant Professor of Community and Family Medicine at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, where she taught medical students and residents as well as students in the graduate program for public health. She was an epidemiologist at the Escambia County Health Department in Pensacola, Florida, working on Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness issues. Previously she had worked as a pediatrician in Virginia and in Manila, Philippines, and as Community Liaison Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru. Dr. Buck is a native of India, graduating from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi with her medical degree in 1972. She subsequently trained in Oxford, UK and at the Medical College of Virginia where she completed a residency in pediatrics.
Brian Stokes, Esq.
Attorney at Law
Saint Louis, MO
Mr. Stokes is president of The Stokes Law Office in St. Louis, Missouri. His practice concentrates in the areas of insurance litigation, plaintiff's personal injury and workers' compensation. Mr. Stokes is an author and speaker on a variety of related subjects, including Issues in Insurance Coverage, Advanced Workers' Compensation Law, and Injury Fund and Social Security Disability. He was a speaker on a legal forum on KFNS Radio (1380 am) in 2008 on the subject of Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation. He is a member of both the Missouri and Illinois Bar. His Juris Doctorate is from Washington University, and his Bachelor of Arts degree is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Stokes is the recipient of the American Jurisprudence award for Excellence in Trial Practice as well as the Thomas D. Cochran Award from the Missouri Bar for professionalism and service to the community.
Dr. Majesh Makan, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.E.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO
Dr. Makan is an Associate Director of Echocardiography at Barnes-Jewish Hospital as well as an attending physician and echocardiographer. He is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born in Bardoli, India, which is in the State of Gujarat.
Dr. Makan received his doctoral degree in medicine from the University of Panama School of Medicine, Republic of Panama. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography. He is also a member of the American Heart Association's Council on Clinical Cardiology and the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography.
Dr. Makan received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Medical Education from New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY; the honor of Teacher of the Year from New York Methodist Hospital; and on four occasions, the Teacher of the Year award from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
His editorial and reviewer responsibilities include "Echocardiography," "Coronary Artery Disease," "European Journal of Echocardiography," and "American Journal of Cardiology." He has participated as an invited speaker at numerous presentations around the world in his area of medical expertise.
Dr. Melissa Marshall, M.D., Board Vice Chair
Family Care Health Centers
Saint Louis, MO
Dr. Marshall is a board certified family medicine physician and Associate Medical Director at Family Care Health Centers. She attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Marshall completed her residency in family medicine at the University of California at Davis Medical Center.
Eric D. Reinhard, HFHCP Treasurer
Attorney at Law
Saint Louis, MO
Rev. Marek Bozek
Pastor/President of the Board of Directors
St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
Saint Louis, MO
Reverend Marek Bozek, D.D. was born and raised in Poland. He moved to the U.S. in 2000, and was ordained a Catholic priest in 2002. For three years, until December 2005, he ministered in the Springfield, Missouri area. Besides many obligations as a parish priest, he served as Police and Sheriff Chaplain, and was also responsible for the Hispanic Ministry and high school chaplaincy.
St. Stanislaus Parish in St. Louis, having been without priests and an archbishop for almost two years, called him on December 2, 2005 to be its pastor. Since then it has become an inclusive place of worship where parishioners find their spiritual home and nourishment.
Dr. Lesley McLaren, M.D., M.P.H.
University City, MO
Dr. McLaren is board certified in Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine. Dr. McLaren is also a board certified family medicine physician. Dr. McLaren received her medical degree from the University of London. In addition, she obtained her Master of Public Health degree from Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri. Dr. McLaren is a Clinical Associate Professor of Community and Family Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She is also on the medical staff at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis. Dr. McLaren has provided several community volunteer services, including physician volunteer services at Padhar Hospital in India, supervising physician residents.
Linda B. Cottler, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Professor of Epidemiology
Department of Psychiatry
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO
Linda Bauer Cottler, Ph.D., M.P.H., is Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. She is Director of the EPRG, and the Master of Psychiatric Epidemiology (MPE) program as well as the WU CTSA Center for Community Based Research.
Dr. Cottler's NIH funding has been in two major areas. First, the work has focused on the development of reliable tools to assess addiction to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, gambling, and the internet, and risk factors for addiction. These tools are used internationally. She has led the DIS Training Center and SAM Training since the early 1980s. Research in this area has also focused on nosological/classification studies of substance abuse and dependence (specifically MDMA, crack/cocaine, inhalant and prescription drug use). Second, Dr. Cottler's studies have focused on community based peer delivered interventions to change behaviors associated with HIV and STDs. She and her team have worked with underrepresented populations including out of treatment crack cocaine and heroin users, seriously heavy drinkers, injection drug users, prescription drug misusers, and inmate populations. A special emphasis of her work has been changing high risk behaviors among women who use drugs and those who are in the criminal justice system.
Recently, Dr. Cottler and her team have expanded their community focus to the WU CTSA Center for Community Based Research. HealthStreet, originally funded by NIDA, is now the hub for street outreach to link the entire community to research opportunities at WU. The community Cottler works with extends to other countries as well. She has worked internationally as a consultant to the WHO since 1987, as well as conducted her own studies in Sydney, Taipei, and Bangalore. Her research, which has been funded since 1989 primarily by NIDA, has totaled over $45 million.
Dr. Cottler has received awards for her mentoring role including the WU Academic Women’s Network Mentor Award, the BU School of Public Health Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award from the Post-doc Society at Washington University School of Medicine. She has accepted awards for public health service and leadership from the Missouri Public Health Association and for community based research from the School of Medicine. Dr. Cottler has served on two National Academy of Sciences (NAS) panels to study the Social and Economic Impact of Pathological Gambling and the data on Firearm Injuries.
Dr. Cottler is the former Director of a 28-year NIMH Post-Doctoral Training Program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She is Director of a NIDA Pre- and Post-Doctoral Training Program in Comorbidity and Biostatistics, and PI of a Fogarty International Center Training Program at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore, India. She has reviewed for numerous journals and NIH institutes, was a 2006-2007 ELAM fellow, and is the APPA's Centennial 2010 President.
Randall Siefert, Board Secretary
Co-founder
Radiant Avenue Imaging
Saint Louis, MO
Mr. Siefert is a small business owner, project manager and web master with a background in mass communications. His volunteer experience includes on-air narration, audio production and broadcasting for the blind as well as teaching reading to underprivileged adults. As a fine art photographer and former director of one of the largest, oldest contemporary art galleries in the St. Louis region, he has also served on the board of directors for a non-profit art space. In addition, he provided services as systems administrator for a non-profit arts funding agency. Since 2004, he has served in a variety of capacities at a commercial real estate firm representing corporations with a significant presence throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Board of Directors (Nepal)
Mr. Karma Ghale
Chairman, Executive Committee
Mr. Karma Ghale was born in Manang, Nepal. After gaining substantial overseas trading business experiences in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, he focused his resources in the real estate business in Kathmandu, Nepal. With tremendous success in real estate, Mr. Ghale ventured into the distillery business in 1999. Currently, the company has over 241 employees. He is considered one of the most successful businessmen in Nepal. In addition, Mr. Ghale established the Sumy Distillery Pvt. Ltd. in 2004. He has served on several community boards, including as chairman of the Manang Social Services Committee from 2005 to 2007.
Mr. Dorge D. Gurung
Vice Chairman, Executive Committee
Mr. K.C. Gurung
Treasurer, Executive Committee
Mr. Chinta Bahadur Ghale
Secretary, Executive Committee
Mr. Harka Jung Gurung
Mr. Binod Gurung
Mr. Jimmy Gurung
Mr. Galpo Gurung
Ms. Ranju Mahat (Khadka)
Project Coordinator
Kathmandu, Nepal
Advisory Board
Dr. James H. States, M.D.
Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, P.S.
Olympia, WA
Dr. James States is the medical director and founder of the first private practice Adolescent Medicine Clinic in the Northwestern U.S. He completed a Postgraduate Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at U.S.C. (University of Southern California) in 1978, and is Board Certified in Adolescent Medicine and Family Practice. Dr. States has extensive experience working with youth-at-risk as well as adolescents and college age populations who have diverse multicultural backgrounds. He has provided consultation to Eastern Washington University, The Healing Lodge of 7 Nations, and to Fairchild Air force Base. He has presented hundreds of
seminars at professional meetings on Adolescent Medicine topics. Dr. States provides consultation to parents, physicians, schools and universities on the complex medical and psychological issues of adolescents. Dr. States is an internationally known climber, successfully ascending routes in South America, the Canadian Rockies, India and Nepal. He summited on the first American ascent of the North Ridge of Nanda Devi (25,645') and was the 17th American to climb Mt. Everest. He integrates his mountaineering experiences into his clinical work and seminar series.
Dr. Richard L. Buck, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P.M.
Saint Louis, MO
Dr. Buck graduated from Dartmouth College, attended Trinity College in Oxford as a Marshall Scholar where he obtained an MA in Physiology, and studied at Imperial College London where he was awarded an MSc in Biochemistry. After graduating from Stanford University Medical School, he completed a year as an Assistant Resident in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital, followed by a residency in Preventive Medicine at Yale University where he was awarded an MPH in Epidemiology. Dr. Buck is Board Certified in Preventive Medicine and is a graduate of the Program of Management in Health Care, University of North Carolina Kenan Flager Business School at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Buck was a finalist for the 1999 Frank Brown Berry Prize in Federal Medicine for his use of the tools of epidemiology to develop a population-based approach to healthcare. Dr. Buck is an independent organizational and healthcare strategist based in St. Louis. He writes and speaks nationally on leadership, governance, quality improvement, evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care. He is the author of the Medical Leadership Institute monograph "Three Essential Skills for Today's Physician Leaders."
Dr. Buck is one of the Expert Faculty of the Governance Institute, and served as an Advisor to the Medical Leadership Institute and the Patient-Centered Care Institute. He was a member of the American College of Physician Executives' Taskforce on Medical Education, and is a Senior Fellow of the Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET).
From 1981-2004, Dr. Buck served as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy. His experience includes senior leadership positions in medical management, strategic planning, preventive medicine and research.
Dr Buck's tropical medicine experience includes: Head, Tropical Medicine Department, Naval Medical Research Unit in Manila, Philippines where he focused his efforts on malaria epidemiology and treatment; and Officer-in-Charge (CEO) of the Naval Medical Research Unit in Lima Peru where he led a team of 80 full-time staff (Americans and Peruvians) engaged in tropical medicine research from a unit based in Lima with a field laboratory in Iquitos.
Dr Buck's epidemiology experience includes: Head, Epidemiology Department, Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Number 2, Norfolk, VA where he served as consultant Epidemiologist for all ships of the Atlantic Fleet and all Navy shore facilities from the East Coast to Texas. He conducted disease outbreak investigations, two of which were reported in the CDC's MMWR, and initiated and conducted annual visits to Central and South American countries to develop disease risk assessment profiles.
As CEO (Commanding Officer) of the Navy Environmental Health Center, Norfolk, VA, Dr. Buck was responsible for oversight of Navy Medicine's occupational health, preventive medicine, forensic drug screening and radiation dosimetry programs with 10 field activities from Hawaii to Naples and 655 military and civilian staff.
During Dr. Buck's tenure as Commanding Officer (CEO) of the Navy's Family Practice teaching hospital in Pensacola, Florida the hospital received recognition at Navy, Department of Defense, state, national and international levels.
From 2005-2006 Dr. Buck served in the newly created position of Corporate Vice President for Organizational Effectiveness and Executive Director of SSM University at SSM Health Care. He was tasked with creating an integrated leadership development program for over 23,000 staff at 20 hospitals in four states.
Dr. Matthew E. Lemberger, Ph.D.
Division of Counseling & Family Therapy
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO
Kristin Bulin, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Executive Director
The Center for Survivors of Torture and War
St. Louis, MO
Ms. Anita Gurung
Dr. Gyan K. Kayastha, M.D., M.P.H.
Patan Academy of Health Sciences
Kathmandu, Nepal
Dr. Michael D. Kyzer, M.D.
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine
Vice-President, Medical Staff
Saint Alexius Hospital
Saint Louis, MO
Dr. Kyzer was born in Wichita, Kansas but spent his childhood and early adult life in Arkansas. He received his Medical Doctorate from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and completed his residency at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Kyzer has practiced Emergency Medicine in St. Louis since 1992, and received the "Outstanding Emergency Physician in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area" Award from the Emergency Nurses' Association in 2000. He has dedicated his career to serving the underserved population in our community, and currently serves as Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine, and holds several committee appointments at St. Alexius Hospital in urban St. Louis.
Mr. Pradeep Pokherel
Kathmandu, Nepal
Mr. Shovan Sharma
Kathmandu, Nepal
Mr. Puspa Bahadur Gurung
Manang, Nepal
Dr. Shrestha completed his Master of Science degree from California State University in 1968. He earned his Doctor of Science from Johns Hopkins, School of Hygiene and Public Health in 1985. He served as WHO Representative for over 15 years. Dr. Shrestha was a founding director of the School of Public Health in Nepal.
Support Staff
Connie States, Co-Founder
Everest Cafe & Bar
Saint Louis, MO
Mrs. States is a co-founder of the Himalayan Family Healthcare Project and co-owner of the Everest Cafe and Bar in Saint Louis, MO. She has training in computer networking.
James H. States, Volunteer
Saint Louis, MO
James H. States is a premed student at Saint Louis University.
Pratima Dulal, Volunteer
Saint Louis, MO
Ms. Dulal is a nursing student at Forest Park Community College.
Laura Schweitzer, Volunteer
Saint Louis, MO
Website Design
Radiant Avenue Imaging
