FAQs
Q: How and why was Timmy Global Health founded?
Q: Where does the name ‘Timmy’ come from?
Q: Where does Timmy Global Health work?
Q: In addition to its medical service teams, what other programming does Timmy Global Health support?
Q: What is the total of Timmy Global Health’s annual operating costs? What percentage of the total budget does that consume?
Q: How many university chapters does the organization have? Where?
Q: How many high school chapters does the organization have? Where?
Q: How do I get involved with Timmy Global Health?
Q: When are medical service teams scheduled for the coming year?
Q: As a medical professional, how do I join a trip?
Q: What types of medical professionals are you looking for?
Q: How do I start a university or high school chapter of the organization?
Q: Can I join a medical service team as a student not affiliated with a Timmy Global Health student chapter?
Q: How do I donate medical supplies or medicines to Timmy Global Health?
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible and will I be issued a tax receipt?
Q: How and why was Timmy Global Health founded?
A: Timmy Global Health was founded in 1997 by Dr. Charles Dietzen (Dr. Chuck) after working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India and participating in a number of international medical programs throughout the former Soviet Union and the developing world. “Although I didn’t set out to create my own organization,” says Dr. Chuck, “I knew first-hand there are a great number of organizations and groups doing vital work around the world that needed support. We established Timmy Global Health so we could support the already existing efforts of amazing organizations, and provide them with the resources – human, in-kind, financial — they needed to thrive. I also wanted to make sure that we actively empowered today’s youth and students – tomorrow’s leaders – to act upon their ideals and passions to serve others. For many of them who are interested in a career in healthcare, I also wanted them to be able to see firsthand the barriers to healthcare access that so many developing world communities face, and to discern for themselves if they are truly called to the medical profession as doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, or to any other profession that emphasizes the common good.”
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Q: Where does the name ‘Timmy’ come from?
A: ‘Timmy’ was Dr. Chuck’s (Timmy’s Founder) older brother who died during infancy. The name is a legacy and tribute to both his family and children everywhere who deserve the promise of healthy futures.
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Q: Where does Timmy Global Health work?
A: Although based in Indianapolis, the organization’s outreach is local, national, and global. Timmy has active student chapter at over 35 high schools and universities throughout the United States. At present, we directly support 7 projects in 5 countries, including Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, and the United States. For a full list of our international programs, please visit the International Outreach page.
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Q: In addition to its medical service teams, what other programming does Timmy Global Health support?
A: Although many people recognize Timmy’s medical service teams as the most visible part of our programming, they are simply the tip of the iceberg. Timmy also provides financial, in-kind, and other support to our international partners; operates a medical supply warehouse in Indianapolis; and donates millions of dollars of medicines to both local and international organizations each year. In addition, our college and high school chapters engage in a wide variety of fundraising, advocacy, and service initiatives both internationally with Timmy, as well as on their own campuses. In addition, Timmy recently launched a long-term volunteer program in Ecuador, and a high impact volunteer / social entrepreneur scholarship fund designed to provide Timmy’s most capable students with the financial support they need to attack global health challenges outside of their chapter structures.
Q: What is the total of Timmy Global Health’s annual operating costs? What percentage of the total budget does that consume?
A: Timmy Global Health’s annual budget has grown steadily over the past three years. The organization’s financial budget is approximately $1.3 million, but surpasses $3.8 million when including the value of in-kind medicine Timmy provides to its local and international partners. Historically, program expenses have accounted for more than 90% of the organization’s total expenses. In fiscal year 2010-2011, Timmy spent 92% on programming, 6% on management, and 2% on fundraising. For more information and archived annual reports, please see the Timmy Global Health Financial Information page.
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Q: How many university chapters does the organization have? Where?
A: Timmy Global Health currently works with approximately 30 university chapters throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico. Visit Our Students page to find out more.
Q: How many high school chapters does the organization have? Where?
A: Timmy Global Health currently works with approximately 10 high school chapters in Indianapolis and around the US. Visit Our Students page to find out more.
Q: How do I get involved with Timmy Global Health?
A: There are a number of ways for students, volunteers, and medical professionals to get involved with Timmy Global Health.
- Join or start a Timmy chapter at your university or high school
- Join a medical team to Ecuador, Guatemala, or the Dominican Republic as a provider, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, etc.
- Volunteer in our medical supply warehouse at our headquarters in Indianapolis
- Stay engaged as a Timmy Alumni through new travel and funding opportunities
- Join us for an upcoming event
- Get formally involved with Timmy’s leadership or join a committee
If nothing else, we always appreciate advocacy—take our name and mission to someone else who might not know who we are or what we do.
Q: When are medical service teams scheduled for the coming year?
A: A schedule of medical service teams can be found on our Medical Professional information page. Most trips last approximately 7-11 days, and occur every 2-3 months to Ecuador, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
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Q: As a medical professional, how do I join a trip?
A: We are always interested in medical professional volunteers! Our university chapters do the majority of recruitment for their respective medical teams, however we are happy to put you in touch if you are interested in a particular brigade. All opportunities are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If interested, please email our Programs Coordinator at kathy@timmyglobalhealth.org.
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Q: What types of medical professionals are you looking for?
A: Because our medical service trips focus on primary care (general medicine), we utilize:
- Licensed practitioners (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants)
- Registered nurses
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
If you are comfortable practicing general medicine in an international setting, we welcome you to join a team—no matter what specialty you are trained in. Residents are welcome join a team so long as you are licensed in the United States and authorized to independently see patients. Currently, Timmy is only able to accept professionals licensed in the US, Canada, or destination country. International licenses may be accepted if the professional speaks proficient English and has at least 5 years of direct professional experience in their field.
If you are not a practitioner, registered nurse, or pharmacist but think your professional skills could be helpful on an international medical brigade, let us know.
Please contact our Programs Coordinator with questions at kathy@timmyglobalhealth.org.
Q: How do I start a university or high school chapter of organization?
A: For information on starting a Timmy Global Health chapter, please visit our Students information page. If you have further questions, please contact the Programs Coordinator at kathy@timmyglobalhealth.org.
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Q: Can I join a medical service team as a student not affiliated with a Timmy Global Health student chapter?
A: Maybe. Timmy Global Health does offer one “public” trip a year (traditionally in October) that is open to students not affiliated with a chapter. Outside of the public trip, Timmy does not currently open volunteer spots to students not affiliated with the university chapter organizing the team. Nonetheless, we are interested in expanding to more universities and understand that true inspiration only comes from direct involvement with our work. If you are interested in starting a Timmy chapter at your university or are interested in learning more about Timmy Global Health’s work, there may be opportunities for you to travel with a medical team. Timmy makes a concerted effort to send only seriously interested students on its brigades. For more information, please contact the organization’s Programs Coordinator at kathy@timmyglobalhealth.org.
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Q: How do I donate medical supplies or medicines to Timmy Global Health?
A: If you have medical supplies or medicines to donate, please visit the Local Outreach information page. There you will find more information about the types of supplies and medicines the organization accepts, any restrictions, and directions for how/when you may drop them off at our headquarters.
Please note that Timmy Global Health does not accept expired supplies or medications and cannot accept donations of narcotic medicines. Please do not donate these materials.
Q: Is my donation tax-deductible and will I be issued a tax receipt?
A: Timmy Global Health’s Finance & Operations Coordinator issues tax receipts for all financial donations via mail or email. For medical supply or medicine donations, Timmy Global Health can provide a handout confirming the date of your in-kind donation upon delivery of the items, but the donor is responsible for applying a monetary value to their donation since Timmy staff are not trained in that practice.
Payments for participation on a Timmy international medical service trip are not considered tax deductible according to the Timmy Finance Committee aside from any fees for medicines (usually $100-$150 total). If you would like a tax receipt for this portion of your trip payment, please contact Timmy Global Health’s Programs Coordinator Kathy Morris (kathy@timmyglobalhealth.org).
Timmy Global Health is a 501(c)3 organization, and the organization’s EIN is 35-2012757
