During the workday, Clinical Pharmacist Evon cares for patients at Providence Milwaukie Hospital just outside of Portland, Oregon. In her free time, Evon spearheads a nonprofit organization providing no-cost medical care to communities in Africa. We admire Evon, not only for her two decades of professional achievements but also for her significant impact toward our vision of “health for a better world.”

A life of service to others

Most people know Providence for world-class health care across a seven-state footprint, but our Mission goes far beyond the borders of the states we serve—as well as those of our country. Our Global and Domestic Engagement (GDE) department engages in service partnerships that honor the leadership, expertise, and health goals of communities around the globe.And one of the ways we fuel our global presence is by championing local caregivers such as Evon in their altruistic pursuits.

Evon believes that a life of service is profoundly rewarding, which is one of the main reasons she chose to join Providence more than two decades ago. She says, “The core values of Providence—compassion, dignity, excellence, justice and integrity—align with my own. Caring for everybody, regardless of their status, regardless of where they come from, regardless of their color, is in line with what I believe as a human.” When Evon created a nonprofit organization to further extend her impact to communities worldwide, she sought and was granted support from Providence.

Recruiting others to provide free care in Africa

With passion and energy that are truly infectious, Evon organized teams of around 50 Providence caregivers and others to travel to different African locations. They visited various countries including Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

Evon says she’s thrilled to have support from Providence since her work matches the Providence Mission “to provide care to everyone, especially the poor and the most vulnerable.”

Providence also enabled Evon to extend opportunities for elective rotations abroad to medical and pharmacy students in Oregon. The experience allows future pharmacists the ability to shape their learning experience before graduating and practicing on their own. “They can join us and use it as part of their training,” says Evon.

Evon looks forward to the next trip in coming years, and in the meantime, she volunteers at home. “There are lots of opportunities to volunteer through Providence,” she says. “Volunteering is not something you’re doing for somebody else, you’re actually doing it for yourself because it gives a lot of fulfillment.”

Evon’s unwavering commitment is inspiring to those around her. If you’re inspired to help us care for all in the communities we serve, explore our job openings.