Work in Jamaica
Physician Leaves Medicine Behind To Practice Christianity in Jamaica
When he heads to with the Missionaries of the Poor in Kingston, Jamaica, each year with a dozen or more staff, family and friends, Gus J. Slotman, M.D., swaps his medical instruments for a simple wooden cross hanging around his neck.
"We don't do anything medical, just feed and bath people, sweep floors, do wash, whatever the mission needs," said the medical director of the bariatric surgery program at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.
"They (the MOP) basically take in helpless homeless people who would otherwise die on the street and take care of them for life."
The annual humanitarian trips stem from the friendship of Dr. Slotman and the Rev. Richard HoLung, who left the Society of Jesus in 1981 to found the Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica.
"I had the privilege of meeting Father HoLung when it was just himself and two others guys in 1982 and now they are 400 brothers with shelters in Kingston, Haiti, Uganda, Kenya, the Philippines, India and North Carolina," said the surgeon.
"His monastic Catholic order has the usual three vows—poverty, obedience and chastity, but they added a fourth, free service to the poor."
In 1994 others from South Jersey began to accompany Dr. Slotman and his family on the trips to Jamaica. Regulars include his son and daughter, and LMA Surgical Associates practice manager Karen Orlando, who often brings her family, and numerous patients and friends. Some years the group swells to 25 people.
"We have photos of our work in Jamaica in the hallway of our Cherry Hill office. The MOP is such a part of our lives that we can't stop sharing about them. "We think that it is an important part of our practice is to let patients know something about who we are and what we do," said Dr. Slotman. You can see more at www.missionariesofthepoor.org."
The surgeon and staff spend part of their time in Jamaica at the convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, the same order of sisters that founded and guides Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.
"It's a nice connection and sharing of a mission to others," said Dr. Slotman.
To locate a Lourdes Health System bariatric surgeon by phone, call 1-888-LOURDES.
