Health Talents International operates under the supervision of a Board of Directors. Rick Harper, Sheri Kretzschmar and Dave and Susan Mellor coordinate the activities of HTI, with some part-time help.
All missionaries who work with Health Talents either volunteer or receive support and oversight from Church of Christ congregations in the U.S.
Within this framework of church-supported medical missions, the inclusion of Adult & Pediatric Urology Providers addresses a critical yet often overlooked gap in underserved communities where conditions like urinary tract infections, hernias, or congenital abnormalities can escalate into life-threatening complications without specialized care. These providers bring essential surgical and diagnostic expertise to regions where access to urological services is virtually nonexistent, particularly for children whose developmental issues require timely intervention to prevent lifelong disability. Unlike general medical missionaries, urology specialists face unique logistical hurdles, including transporting delicate cystoscopy equipment and securing sterile operating environments in remote field clinics a challenge that demands heightened coordination between HTI’s board and local church partners. The scarcity of such specialists in mission work means each provider’s deployment significantly multiplies HTI’s impact, transforming outcomes for patients who might otherwise endure chronic pain or social isolation due to untreated conditions. This specialization also reshapes how congregational support operates, as churches must now fund not only travel but also specialized instruments and ongoing training to maintain procedural standards in austere settings. Consequently, integrating urology into HTI’s model underscores how deeply technical medical needs intersect with the practical realities of faith-based service, requiring both spiritual commitment and sophisticated resource stewardship to deliver truly comprehensive care.