Kristin Crosby, M.D. Returns from Medical Mission in Afghanistan

Bellingham, WA - December 1, 2003 - - After spending two months in war-torn Afghanistan participating in a humanitarian medical aid effort, Dr. Kristin Crosby, M.D. has returned home to Bellingham. The Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Sterling Life Insurance Company worked with hospital administrators at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul from July 29 to September 20, sharing her knowledge of management. Her focus also included training Afghan health professionals in maternal/child care.

Organized by the U.S. government and the International Medical Corps (IMC), the effort has entailed rebuilding the hospital and bringing in medical volunteers to establish a stable location where Afghan women can receive quality medical care. "I was inspired by my faith, the idea of fighting terrorism, and a personal request from [U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services] Tommy Thompson," Crosby said on her decision to become one of several dozen volunteers.

She collaborated with the lead administrator at Rabia Balkhi to create an inventory and line management system of life-saving efficiency. "We set up a process where management tasks are delegated by the CEO/administrator to subordinates so that the administrator is not personally required to complete every single task herself. Sometimes mothers and babies would die for a lack of a piece of equipment or medicine because you couldn't get it except when the pharmacy was open and with the administrator's signature," Crosby explained. She also worked to improve the hospital's basic infrastructure, which includes electricity, plumbing, and waste disposal.

While she was volunteering in Afghanistan, her colleagues in Bellingham gathered 24 boxes of cleaning supplies, children's clothing, pencils, crayons, and many more useful items that were shipped as donations to Kabul. The items were distributed at a school as well as Rabia Balkhi. "I happened to be the one who went to Kabul, but I stood on the shoulders of many," Crosby said of her co-workers. "So many people at Sterling helped, and they were grateful for the opportunity to help in a concrete way."

Those interested in contributing to or learning more about the humanitarian aid effort in Afghanistan can visit the IMC website www.imc-la.com.

Sterling Life Insurance Company, an A.M. Best A- (Excellent) rated company, is dedicated to providing a variety of affordable healthcare solutions to Medicare beneficiaries. Sterling is wholly owned by Combined Insurance Company of America. Both Sterling and Combined are subsidiaries of Aon Corporation. Aon Corporation is a holding company that is comprised of a family of insurance brokerage, consulting, and insurance underwriting subsidiaries.

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Contacts:
Debbie Ahl
Aon - Olympic Health Management Services
360-647-9080

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