Medical Teams International (MTI) 
The information on this page was last updated 7/25/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Medical Teams International is a Christian health and humanitarian relief agency focused on providing life-saving medical care to people in crisis. Going where we're needed most, we enter places of turmoil, disease, and natural disasters. The people we serve aren't just patients, they're people beloved by God and us. As such, we care for the whole person - physical, emotional, social and spiritual - when they come to us.
We also want communities to thrive when we're gone. We make sure people are supported and systems are strong. We empower people to seek out their sick neighbors. We train local medical staff. We teach families about handwashing and good nutrition. We make sure health facilities have the right equipment, supplies, and medicine. We build connections to and trust in the health system so it will serve people well into the future and after we're gone.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Medical Teams International
PO Box 4288
Portland, OR 97208
Website: medicalteams.org
Phone: (503) 624-1000
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 930878944
CEO/President: Martha Newsome
Chairman: Geoff Guilfoy
Board size: 14
Founder: Mr. Ron Post
Ruling year: 1987
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1987
Purpose
We provide loving care that saves lives and leaves communities healthier. We act as Jesus' hands and feet on the ground in front-line clinics, refugee camps, and remote villages. We see God's face in every person we serve. We sit with families in their emotional pain as we treat their physical pain. We listen to heartbreaking stories as we monitor heartbeats. We offer comfort, compassion, and hope.
Medical Teams believes in the whole community - individuals, medical staff, and health facilities - taking ownership of their health. The people we serve are creative, committed, and resilient. We build on their strengths. Working together, we identify problems and solutions. We mentor. We train. We empower. We exit only when health systems become effective, and communities are independent.
Mission statement
Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.
Statement of faith
Our faith and calling starts with daring to love like Jesus - only then can we begin to boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world. Our guiding scripture is Luke 10:27, which says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself."
We believe every person is made in the image of God. Because every person is made in the image of God, every person deserves love. Every person deserves the chance for a better life. The chance for health and wholeness.
At Medical Teams, we are called to care for all God's people by addressing critical health needs. We are called to serve in a way that honors and upholds the dignity of every human being. We are compelled to practice a love for all people - no matter their religion, nationality, sex or race.
When we look into the face of a worried mother cradling her sick child, we see God. When we meet a refugee carrying the wounds of war, we see God. When we treat a person who has survived a disaster or someone suffering a chronic illness, we see God. We believe that every person is worthy and precious.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 764 of 1091 | 54 of 86 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 867 of 1094 | 64 of 86 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 622 of 1094 | 49 of 86 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 543 of 1091 | 44 of 86 |
Click here to read Medical Teams International (MTI)'s response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 5% | 10% | 6% | 5% | 8% | 7% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 9% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 7% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 94% | 93% | 98% | 99% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 9% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 6% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 6% | 7% | 2% | 1% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 85% | 88% | 90% | 88% | 90% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 101% | 105% | 86% | 101% | 112% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 86% | 92% | 78% | 89% | 101% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | -1% | -5% | 14% | -1% | -12% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 16% | -2% | -8% | 28% | -1% | -23% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 6% | 7% | 7% | 4% | 4% | 3% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.34 | 1.34 | 1.58 | 1.60 | 1.66 | 2.08 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.23 | 1.15 | 1.24 | 1.28 | 1.45 | 1.53 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.88 | 1.54 | 1.97 | 2.04 | 2.42 | 3.19 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 18.60 | 10.84 | 19.91 | 13.70 | 13.05 | 17.17 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.05 | 0.09 | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.06 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.82 | 7.07 | 5.79 | 5.44 | 4.58 | 3.55 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 7% | 5% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 60% | 67% | 57% | 58% | 56% | 45% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Cash | $6,395,563 | $14,669,175 | $5,815,417 | $1,781,330 | $1,305,139 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $19,466,353 | $19,958,083 | $29,581,611 | $20,466,221 | $19,696,098 |
| Short-term investments | $11,572,370 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $37,434,286 | $34,627,258 | $35,397,028 | $22,247,551 | $21,001,237 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $2,781,389 | $2,517,271 | $2,963,742 | $3,297,365 |
| Fixed assets | $5,695,489 | $5,628,916 | $7,420,715 | $7,133,749 | $7,865,322 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $5,695,489 | $8,410,305 | $9,937,986 | $10,097,491 | $11,162,687 |
| Total assets | $43,129,775 | $43,037,563 | $45,335,014 | $32,345,042 | $32,163,924 |
| Liabilities | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $3,453,043 | $1,738,874 | $2,584,573 | $1,702,135 | $1,222,787 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,356 | $231 |
| Total current liabilities | $3,453,043 | $1,738,874 | $2,584,573 | $1,704,491 | $1,223,018 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $1,190,461 | $2,681,546 | $1,052,779 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,190,461 | $2,681,546 | $1,052,779 | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Total liabilities | $4,643,504 | $4,420,420 | $3,637,352 | $2,204,491 | $1,723,018 |
| Net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Without donor restrictions | $29,204,292 | $30,083,427 | $32,931,366 | $25,918,227 | $26,071,518 |
| With donor restrictions | $9,281,979 | $8,533,716 | $8,766,296 | $4,222,324 | $4,369,388 |
| Net assets | $38,486,271 | $38,617,143 | $41,697,662 | $30,140,551 | $30,440,906 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Total contributions | $53,310,165 | $60,332,812 | $82,189,602 | $52,640,734 | $59,142,987 |
| Program service revenue | $2,906,701 | $727,800 | $887,764 | $738,384 | $827,947 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $466,147 | $3,814,333 | $220,523 | $84,116 | $31,350 |
| Other revenue | $321,009 | $59,016 | $713,134 | ($90,846) | ($184,435) |
| Total other revenue | $3,693,857 | $4,601,149 | $1,821,421 | $731,654 | $674,862 |
| Total revenue | $57,004,022 | $64,933,961 | $84,011,023 | $53,372,388 | $59,817,849 |
| Expenses | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Program services | $48,832,478 | $59,894,484 | $65,425,837 | $47,486,153 | $60,535,358 |
| Management and general | $3,760,360 | $4,627,741 | $2,545,358 | $2,291,439 | $2,290,754 |
| Fundraising | $5,081,889 | $3,642,009 | $4,392,041 | $3,994,790 | $4,088,499 |
| Total expenses | $57,674,727 | $68,164,234 | $72,363,236 | $53,772,382 | $66,914,611 |
| Change in net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($670,705) | ($3,230,273) | $11,647,787 | ($399,994) | ($7,096,762) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($670,705) | ($3,230,273) | $11,647,787 | ($399,994) | ($7,096,762) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Martha Newsome | President; CEO | $321,340 |
| Jon Beighle | VP, Marketing and Development | $224,583 |
| Roger Sandberg | VP, Field Operations | $204,660 |
| Gayle Rietmulder | VP, Finance and Administration; CFO | $182,776 |
| Stephe Dean | Director, Information Systems | $164,635 |
| Cynthia Breilh | Director, Us Programs | $161,855 |
| Robyn Mordeno | Director, Finance | $146,763 |
| Joseph Dicarlo | Global Ambassador | $146,700 |
| Cassondra Phillipsen | Director, Dental | $133,163 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2021
Response from ministry
Posted on March 27, 2003
The board of directors, staff and volunteers of Northwest Medical Teams appreciate so much the favorable comments provided by MinistryWatch and the supporters who were solicited for input in this year's evaluation. Our work is first and foremost to glorify God and extend His love to hurting people around the world. We're blessed to be a part of Kingdom work in a very tangible way... saving lives, for today and perhaps for eternity.
We appreciate the opportunity to clarify some of the issues cited by our critics, including:
1) Not enough emphasis on evangelistic outreach.
In almost every situation, and especially in our long-term international development projects, we partner with local Christian groups to extend their efforts to build relationships with non-believers. We also provide funds and volunteers to extend Bible-based ministry to children in Romania, Mexico and Moldova.
2) Afraid that the organization will stray from its Christian roots and turn into just another secular "relief and development" type organization.
Every board member signs an evangelical statement of faith as a condition for membership. Our mission, which can only be changed by the board of directors, specifically states we will "demonstrate the love of Christ" to people affected by poverty, conflict and disaster. We are very intentional about this element of our work. All staff members and volunteers agree to respect and support our mission statement.
3) Too much emphasis on short-term help; not enough sustainable impact.
By its very nature, disaster relief is short-term -- providing immediate life-saving assistance for people and communities stressed beyond their normal capacity to provide basic health services. Once the most urgent needs are met, local government and social services should be able to sustain on-going recovery and re-development. At the same time, we try to design our disaster response efforts to develop local capacities and to promote long-term sustainable impact whenever possible.
The majority of our volunteer work, however, is non-disaster. We send out short-term development teams, but as part of on-going long-term projects. In Mexico, Moldova, Romania and other countries, our short-term teams have served continually for 10-15 years. Entire communities, orphanages and medical institutions have been transformed by this long-term commitment. We also distribute humanitarian aid through 150 partners around the world to sustain long-term community development projects that help the most needy people. Major efforts in Central Asia and West Africa have explicit long-term community development objectives.
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify Northwest Medical Teams' philosophy and operations on these three important points. Anyone with questions is welcome to contact us via email or telephone.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 7/25/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Medical Teams' story begins in 1979, when Ron Post was hit with divine inspiration. He'd just watched a news story about Cambodian refugees escaping the Khmer Rouge by fleeing to Thailand. His heart was moved by the suffering of these people, who desperately needed care.
Suddenly, a thought struck him - he could recruit a medical team to help refugees. Ron, a businessman with no medical experience, was full of doubt. But after praying for answers, doors began to open. In just two weeks, he and a group of 28 volunteer doctors were on their way to Thailand. That was the beginning of Northwest Medical Teams, now known as Medical Teams International.
Since 1979, we've provided life-saving medical care for millions of people in crisis around the world. In 1989, we launched a mobile dental program, providing free dental care to people in need right here at home. Today, we care for people in six countries. We've expanded our dental vans to include a wide-range of health care services through our Mobile Care & Connect program.
With our history and experience, we've grown into our role as experts in disaster response and long-term crises. We're well-known and respected humanitarian relief agency, known internationally and locally for our expertise in refugee health care, disaster relief, and mobile health care programs.
Program accomplishments
In fiscal year 2022, Medical Teams served 3 million people in Guatemala, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Colombia, Bangladesh, and the United States.
We helped safely deliver 38,807 babies and performed 7,459 emergency c-sections. We screened just over 1 million people for malnutrition. We supported 71 health facilities.
Needs
You can show God's love and compassion to people in crisis today by donating at our website: medicalteams.org/donations.
Want to do more? Other ways to give, including of your time and prayer, are listed on our website. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our latest work and urgent prayer requests.