Cobus Venter, CPO (sa) – Director/Founder

Cobus (also known as AJ) qualified as an Orthotist/Prosthetist in 1998 and has worked in hospitals and the private sector in South Africa, Canada and USA. He also has a diploma in International Trade.

“The goals of the IFPD are really close to my heart. I grew up in South Africa, traveled in other parts of Africa, and have lived in the relative comforts of Europe and North America. Over the years I have seen the tremendous contrast that can exist in access to health care for people with disabilities. Limited health care is almost the norm in some third world countries, but the lack of availability can be as sad and shocking in developed countries. Using the principle of re-use and recycle, the IFPD hopes to improve the quality of life of individuals in need.”

Contact me: cobusventer@theifpd.org  

Jana Venter – Administrator

Jana has a B.Sc. degree and a B.A. Degree with English as major. Her work experience over the past 10 years include teaching, administration, customer service and management. She has worked for a non-profit organization for 5 years and gained valuable experience during that time. “I believe we have so much to give… I am inspired by the touching stories we receive, and feel we are so incredibly privileged to have an opportunity to help another human being. With the IFPD I can show my children the joy of giving.”

Contact me: janaventer@theifpd.org

Jamin Eggart  – IFPD Representative, California, USA

Jamin is a Bioengineering student at the University of California, San Diego. He has had a heart for those with disabilities since an early age; his dear childhood friend Andrew grew up with Spina Bifida. Despite surgeries and even more adversity Andrew is now pursuing his dream as a sports writer at Sacramento State University and with the Sacramento River Cats, never letting his wheelchair hold him back. I believe that everyone with dreams to pursue should be allowed the ability to reach their potential. Jamin has experience overseas in international medicine and wants to pursue a career following His direction towards enabling others to reach their potential regardless of physical limitation. Jamin will be joining the IFPD Haiti team in June 2010.

Contact me: jamin@theifpd.org

Joe Clanin – Inventory Control, California, USA

Born in St. Louis, MO, Joe spend 30 years in various medical fields. He was a firefighter and did weapons control for the United States Air Force prior to marrying Ruth, his wife of 30 years. They have two boys, 28 & 30, one being a paramedic/firefighter and the other also serving in the medical field. “In 1996 I was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. I also fought TB twice, and In July of 2009 had two heart attacks and heart surgery. Now retired and disabled, I have learned that there are millions of people all over the world that are falling through the cracks of medical care, and I feel that everyone deserves proper follow-up for their medical needs in order to live a respectable and decent life. It is the responsibility of every able citizen in the world to care for their neighbor in need. We all need an opportunity to get back on our feet. Many have helped me, and working with the IFPD I want to give back.”

Contact me:  joeclanin@theifpd.org

Maureen Bellare – Fundraising 

During the summer of 2009, on break from her studies as a psychology major at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, twenty-year-old Maureen Bellare had the privilege to work with a team that traveled to Brazil on a Medical Missionary trip. While in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Maureen met a woman (Valdisa) who touched her heart. Maureen has made it her mission to bring this woman to the US to receive medical treatment and a new prosthetic leg. Maureen contacted the IFPD and has been working with us to raise funds for worthy causes like Valdisa’s.

Amy Doescher – Web Marketing

Amy spent 8 years as a healthcare IT Consultant and is passionate about healthcare.Additionally, Amy’s daughter Gabriella has a rare genetic condition, OsteoGenesis Imperfecta making this topic of even greater importance to her and her family. Amy became involved with the IFPD after meeting AJ when Gabriella needed orthoses to protect her tibia which has broken 6 times in the last 3 years. Amy currently works for Intel Corporation in California and lives in Placerville with her husband Steve and two daughters, Gabriella and Alexandra. Amy believes that technology will have a huge impact on providing better healthcare globally and will open up opportunities such as those provided by IFPD to better people’s lives and she hopes to do as much as she can to make an impact herself.