History and Achievements

Dr. Paula Dhanda founded Worldwide Healing Hands after a medical mission to Chad, Africa in 2009 where she witnessed first-hand the lack of access to medical care for many women and children. Dr. Dhanda was heartbroken by the suffering and needless deaths that she witnessed and she vowed to do something to help alleviate these preventable deaths.

Worldwide Healing Hands initially worked under the umbrella of Adventist Health International. We subsequently established a 501(c)(3) non profit organization in 2012 and have been growing ever since in terms of staff size, healthcare providers trained and number of women served.

Since our founding, Worldwide Healing Hands has achieved the following milestones:

Staffed the organization
Developed an outstanding Board of Directors and Board of Advisors
Successfully recruited medical volunteers for each mission
Raised funding for each mission
Collected all the necessary medical and surgical supplies for each mission
Trained numerous physicians, midwives, nurses and other healthcare providers worldwide
Effectively impacted and improved the lives of over 5,000 women and their families
Established programs for medical screening of the homeless population locally
Won several awards for alleviating suffering and promoting wellness

Missions

2021 Mission to Rwanda
Partnering with the Rwanda Ministry of Health & University of Kigali Teaching Hospital (CHUK)

2020 Lake County, California
Medical care for the homeless and the COVID Shelter occupants

2020 Mission to Cambodia
Partnering with the Cambodia Ministry of Health

2019 Lake County, California
Medical care for the homeless and fire evacuees

2019 Mission to Uganda
Partnering with the Uganda Ministry of Health & Soroka University, Beer Sheva, Israel

2019 Mission to Uganda
Partnering with the Uganda Ministry of Health

2018 Mission to Uganda
Partnering with the Uganda Ministry of Health & SUNY-Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York

2018 Lake County, California
Medical care for the homeless

2017 Lake, Mendocino & Sonoma County, CA
Medical care for fire evacuees

2017 Mission to Uganda
Partnering with the Uganda Ministry of Health

2017 Mission to Tanzania
Partnering with FAME

2017 Lake County, California
Medical care for the homeless

2016 Mission to Uganda
Partnering with the Uganda Ministry of Health

2016 Lake County, California
Medical care for the homeless

2016 Mission to Haiti
Partnering with Project Medishare and University of Miami

2015 Mission to Uganda
Partnering with the Uganda Ministry of Health

2015 Lake County, California
Medical care for the Valley Fire evacuees

2015 Mission to Haiti
Partnering with Project Medishare and University of Miami

2014 Lake County, California
Medical screening for the homeless

2014 Aborted mission to Sierra Leone

2013 Mission to Nepal
Partnering with Himalayan Healthcare

2012 Mission to Nepal
Partnering with Himalayan Healthcare

2011 Mission to Haiti
Partnering with Project Medishare and University of Miami

2010 Mission to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake
Partnering with Project Medishare and University of Miami

2009 Mission to Chad
Partnering with Adventist Health International

Honors & Awards

2019 CAPtivating Cause Community Hero Award
Cooperative of American Physicians

2018 Humanitarian Award
Medshare International

2017 Physician of the Year Alumni Mission Award
Adventist Health

2017 Humanitarian of the Year Award
Medshare International: In recognition of her tremendous leadership in improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of Uganda and Haiti.

2016 Community Leadership Award
Dr. Paula Dhanda was honored for her outstanding service to the community and dedication to improving health outcomes for the underserved.

2014 Unsung Heroes of Compassion
His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented this accolade

2013 Real Hero
American Red Cross: This award recognizes those in our community who have shown courage, dedication and character through extraordinary acts of heroism and kindness.

2013 Byron Whipple Award
“Dr. Paula Dhanda received the Byron Whipple award recognizing extraordinary community and charitable service.”

2012 Marla Ruzika Humanitarian of the Year
Stars of Lake County: “Dr. Paula Dhanda is being recognized for her medical efforts and also for the goodwill she spreads in our community, our country and the world.”

2011 Ruby Award
The Soroptimist International Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work.

2010 Physician of the Year Mission Award
Adventist Health: “It is our privilege to acknowledge the compassionate work of those who distinguish themselves from the ordinary. Our Adventist Health Physician of the Year Mission Award recipients truly are exemplary health care providers.”