Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons 
The information on this page was last updated 4/24/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
What if you needed surgery and there were only a handful of surgeons for an entire country?
Unfortunately, this is a painful reality in many African countries. Fifty-six million people in Africa are in need of surgical care. 93% of sub-Saharan Africa does not have access to safe surgical, anesthesia, and obstetric (SAO) care that is timely and affordable. In many places of Africa, there is only one surgeon for a population of 250,000. In other areas, it is even worse. There may be only one surgeon for a population of 2.5 million people.
The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) is a strategic response to the need for surgeons in Africa. We are a non-denominational, multinational service organization training African physicians to become surgeons who are willing to remain in Africa to meet this need. PAACS also disciples these residents to share the love and gospel of Jesus Christ with their patients. The surgical and spiritual training of these residents is offered at several well-established evangelical mission hospitals in Africa, under the direction of experienced, board certified missionary surgeons.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons
PO Box 735262
Dallas, TX 75373-5262
Website: paacs.net
Phone: 847-571-9926
Email: https://paacs.net/who-we-are/contact.html
Organization details
EIN: 842569391
CEO/President: Susan A. Koshy, JD, MPH
Chairman: Dr. Samuel Thompson
Board size: 18
Founder: Dr. David Thompson
Ruling year: 2020
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2020
Purpose
PAACS envisions a growing number of African surgeons and related specialists living out the Gospel and ministering to the sick.
Mission statement
PAACS' mission is to glorify God by training and discipling African surgeons and related specialists to become Christ-like leaders and servants providing excellent and compassionate care to those most in need.
Statement of faith
We believe that the Bible, in its entirety, is the only inspired, inerrant Word of God.
We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, born of a virgin, who willingly died on the cross for the sins of all people and rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of the Father.
We believe all of mankind is by nature sinful and consequently separated from God.
We believe that the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life come only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Those who have repented and have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are born again believers.
We believe the Holy Spirit, as a person of the Godhead, is sent by Jesus Christ from God to convict the world of sin. He regenerates those who repent of sin and believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit instantly indwells believers, becomes their teacher, and empowers them to live a life pleasing to God.
We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ to reign in power and glory on the earth and to judge all people. Those who have believed in Christ will receive eternal life. Those who have not will be eternally separated from God.
We believe in the unity of all believers. They share the common goal of together becoming fully devoted followers of Christ who love, worship, and obey Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
We believe that it is the responsibility of all believers to proclaim His gospel, make disciples of all nations and respond with compassion to the suffering of all people in the ways that Jesus did.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1010 of 1117 | 104 of 123 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 825 of 1118 | 87 of 123 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 920 of 1118 | 104 of 123 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 894 of 1117 | 88 of 123 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 5% | 9% | 8% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 8% | 8% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 94% | 94% | 98% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 11% | 11% | 14% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 6% | 6% | 2% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 75% | 73% | 68% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 72% | 66% | 26% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 85% | 53% | 48% | 18% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 28% | 34% | 74% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 16% | 20% | 94% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 14% | 16% | 18% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.38 | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.32 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.30 | 1.03 | 1.02 | 1.01 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.28 | 0.40 | 0.39 | 0.33 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 18.20 | 41.52 | 33.59 | 57.24 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.02 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.05 | 29.55 | 30.01 | 35.94 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 62% | 254% | 255% | 303% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $3,981,176 | $4,307,624 | $3,014,410 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $56,109 | $63,081 | $85,447 |
| Short-term investments | $4,497,798 | $2,839,945 | $3,228,466 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $8,535,083 | $7,210,650 | $6,328,323 |
| Long-term investments | $120,689 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term assets | $142,199 | $138,582 | $76,865 |
| Total long-term assets | $262,888 | $138,582 | $76,865 |
| Total assets | $8,797,971 | $7,349,232 | $6,405,188 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $205,542 | $214,691 | $110,559 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $205,542 | $214,691 | $110,559 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $205,542 | $214,691 | $110,559 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $4,784,001 | $4,166,617 | $3,662,257 |
| With donor restrictions | $3,808,428 | $2,967,924 | $2,632,372 |
| Net assets | $8,592,429 | $7,134,541 | $6,294,629 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $4,434,961 | $4,006,626 | $7,809,371 |
| Program service revenue | $17,270 | $11,550 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $263,194 | $238,446 | $161,847 |
| Other revenue | $10,901 | ($14,392) | $1,178 |
| Total other revenue | $291,365 | $235,604 | $163,025 |
| Total revenue | $4,726,326 | $4,242,230 | $7,972,396 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $2,521,859 | $2,038,321 | $1,414,397 |
| Management and general | $481,675 | $438,998 | $373,695 |
| Fundraising | $379,416 | $319,887 | $288,164 |
| Total expenses | $3,382,950 | $2,797,206 | $2,076,256 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,343,376 | $1,445,024 | $5,896,140 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,343,376 | $1,445,024 | $5,896,140 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Keir Thelander MD | Executive Vice President | $176,532 |
| Susan Koshy JD MPH | CEO | $152,093 |
| Steven Darst | CFO (part year) | $123,998 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2023
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 4/24/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Dr. David Thompson was the only surgeon at Bongolo Hospital in the jungles of Gabon. He faced the reality that if he died, or left the mission field, he would leave little legacy and would have made little impact on the great need for surgery in Africa.
In 1996, at a continuing medical education conference in Kenya, Dr. Thompson shared his vision with a group of missionary surgeons from several African mission hospitals. They responded with enthusiasm and formed a steering committee. Initially, ten mission hospitals expressed interest, but then the realities of the magnitude of implementing this vision became evident - only three hospitals were able to start training residents. Sadly, for various reasons, two of the programs had to close shortly. The fledgling program at Bongolo limped on, graduating its first surgeon in 2002.
Prior to the graduation of the first fully-trained resident, Loma Linda University had agreed in principle to provide a diploma to PAACS graduates but the loose organizational structure of PAACS was of concern. In response, The Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA) created a new organizational concept, and PAACS became a council of CMDA in 2001. Loma Linda University has been a valued partner since that time. The first inspection tour of the PAACS system by LLU was made in 2002.
In 2001, PAACS became a council of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA). After an inspection tour of the PAACS system in 2002 by Loma Linda University (LLU), the PAACS training program received accreditation. Originally named the Pan-African College of Christian Surgeons (PACCS), in 2004, the name was changed to the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons. PAACS became a commission of CMDA in 2007.
PAACS was a ministry of CMDA from 2007 to 2020. On July 1, 2020, PAACS became an independent ministry, serving the Lord as a stand-alone organization, training and mentoring African physicians as surgeons to care for the poor and share the love of Christ with those in need.
Program accomplishments
As of January 2023:
153 surgical graduate certificates issued
20 countries with graduates serving as surgeons
11 countries with training programs
23 training programs
150 residents in training