July 10, 2026Podcast

MedGlobal International Response Update with Tim Conley

Tim Conley joins us on the Disaster podcast this week to look at the international response to two concurrent disasters. In his role and Chairman of the Board with Med Global and as a co-founder of Interstate Disaster Medical Collaborative (IDMC), Tim discusses how these organizations are working to help manage the Ebola outbreak response in Africa while they simultaneously send teams to assist with medical care of victims following the earthquakes in Venezuela.

Previous Disaster Podcast Episode on Med Global in Ukraine

MedGlobal provides free, sustainable healthcare services to refugees, displaced persons, and other vulnerable communities in crisis areas and low-resource settings worldwide. They deploy healthcare volunteers, support local medical teams and humanitarian partners with training, funding, and technology, and donate medical equipment, medications and supplies.

The episode was co-hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

New Board Chair Introduction Meeting

Sam introduced Tim Conley as the new chair of the board and vice president of MedGlobal, explaining how they first connected in 2006 when Sam was building a disaster team for California and sought Tim’s expertise from the Illinois team. Tim described his current roles as an emergency management supervisor for Mercy Health and his work with MedGlobal’s emergency management and chemical weapons programs, noting his ongoing liaison with IDMC which he helped found. The discussion focused on MedGlobal’s current global healthcare initiatives, including responses in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Colombia, and other locations, as well as their work in Ebola and Venezuela responses.

MedGlobal Healthcare Mission Discussion

Sam discussed MedGlobal’s mission of providing free sustainable healthcare to refugees and vulnerable communities through deploying healthcare volunteers and building resilient healthcare systems. Tim explained that his role in emergency management involves providing tools and systems to healthcare providers so they can effectively respond to emergencies, noting that while the concept is simple in description, it’s more complex in practice. The discussion highlighted MedGlobal’s international training programs, including chemical weapons response and surgical techniques, with examples from Ukraine, Gaza, and Bangladesh.

International Medical Logistics Coordination

Tim discussed the logistical challenges of working with international medical communities, noting that physical movement of materials and coordinating with local partners and governments are the main hurdles, especially in countries like Ukraine, Ebola outbreak regions, and Venezuela. He explained that working with organizations like WHO is crucial for navigating local regulations and ensuring proper distribution of PPE and training programs that align with local practices and WHO recommendations.

International Medical Aid Challenges

The discussion focused on the challenges of providing medical equipment and training in international aid situations. Sam shared an example from Ukraine where outdated equipment was sent without proper training, leading to the equipment being unused.

Jamie asked about balancing access to modern technology with local healthcare system capabilities, to which Zoom responded that it’s crucial to assess what the local system can sustain long-term, noting that healthcare systems often excel in some areas while lacking in others.

Ebola Response in Ukraine Challenges

The discussion focused on the challenges of responding to the Ebola outbreak in Ukraine, with participants noting the complex logistics due to the strain of the virus, detection difficulties, and ongoing conflicts in the region. Tim explained that Med Global is working with the WHO to determine the best locations for setting up training programs, considering factors like responder fatigue and logistical access.

The conversation highlighted the importance of addressing both physical and mental health challenges for first responders, with participants acknowledging the long-term emotional toll of working in dangerous environments with limited PPE and family support.

Volunteer Disaster Preparedness Training Challenges

Tim discussed the challenges of preparing volunteers for different disaster scenarios, noting that while MedGlobal staff and volunteers receive training from healthcare professionals and emergency managers, there is no single recipe for mental preparation due to varying dangers like Ebola outbreaks, local conflicts, and natural disasters.

Tim emphasized the importance of proper training, including PPE use and safety protocols, and mentioned specific examples like emergency management volunteers providing safety training in Venezuela after an earthquake. The discussion concluded with Sam considering the situation of federal employees eager to join USAR and DMAT teams but waiting for disaster deployments.

Venezuela Earthquake Relief Efforts

Tim explained their earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela, describing how they are working with NGOs and local authorities through advanced teams that are conducting assessments and establishing logistics for medical supplies and patient care.

The discussion highlighted the challenges of accessing the country and the importance of planning for needs 2-3 weeks ahead rather than immediate requirements. Sam noted similarities to their previous experience with Ukraine relief efforts, mentioning concerns about distribution, security, and implementation logistics.

Venezuela Earthquake Disaster Response

The group discussed the situation in Venezuela following an earthquake, with Jamie reporting that official death tolls are likely underreported, with estimates ranging from 3,700 to potentially 10,000 or more deaths.

Tim highlighted the dedication of disaster response teams, including medical professionals and volunteers, who willingly enter dangerous areas to help others despite personal risks. The conversation also covered the collapsed chronic disease care system in Gaza, where healthcare infrastructure has been destroyed, leading to significant problems with untreated medical conditions.

Wrap up and updates

The team went through contact information and the team encouraged listeners to stay safe. The group discussed the role of specialized training, with Jamie highlighting the sponsorship of the Disaster Podcast by Paragon Medical Education Group.

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